Yes. In Arizona, you can generally file an insurance or personal injury claim even if the police did not prepare an accident report. A report can be useful, but it is only one form of evidence.
When there is no report, other documentation becomes more important. Photos, witness statements, medical records, vehicle damage, and video footage may help establish what happened and support your losses.
Do You Need a Police Report to File an Insurance Claim in Arizona?
A police report is not generally required to open an auto insurance claim. An insurer can investigate the crash using other available evidence.
Useful evidence may include:
- Photos and videos
- Witness statements
- Dashcam footage
- Medical records
- Repair estimates
- Messages between drivers
- Nearby surveillance video
Several forms of evidence can work together to help show how a car accident occurred.
When Do Arizona Police Officers Prepare Accident Reports?
Under A.R.S. § 28-667, officers who investigate certain motor vehicle accidents must prepare a written report when the crash involves injury, death, qualifying property damage, or a citation.
Arizona law also requires drivers involved in certain crashes to exchange identifying information and provide reasonable assistance when someone is injured.
These reporting duties are separate from whether an injured person can pursue an insurance or injury claim.
Why Is a Police Report Helpful After an Arizona Car Accident?
A police report creates an official record soon after a collision. That can be valuable if the parties later disagree about what happened.
A report may include:
- The crash location
- Driver and vehicle information
- Witness details
- Road conditions
- Statements made at the scene
- Citations issued
However, officers often arrive after the collision. Other evidence may still be necessary to prove fault.
What Should You Do If the Police Do Not Come to the Accident Scene?
If police do not respond, you can still create a detailed record yourself.
When it is safe to do so:
- Photograph both vehicles
- Take wide photos of the scene
- Collect insurance information
- Get witness contact details
- Save dashcam recordings
- Seek medical attention
- Keep receipts and treatment records
- Preserve written communications
Do not rely only on a verbal agreement with the other driver. Disputes about fault can arise later and may become more difficult when there is no police report. A driver who initially accepted blame may later give a different account to their insurer. Independent witnesses can be especially useful because they may provide a neutral account of the crash.
What Can You Do to Create Your Own Record of the Accident?
Creating a personal accident record can preserve details that may otherwise be forgotten.
Write down:
- Where each vehicle was traveling
- What happened before impact
- Weather and road conditions
- Statements made at the scene
- Witness information
- Nearby cameras or businesses
- When symptoms began
- Dates of insurance conversations
Keep these notes with your photos, medical records, repair documents, and insurance correspondence.
Can You File a Lawsuit Without a Police Report?
Yes. A missing police report does not automatically prevent someone from filing a personal injury lawsuit. The key question is whether enough evidence exists to support the claim.
Possible evidence includes:
- Witness testimony
- Photos and video
- Vehicle damage
- Medical documentation
- Electronic records
- Accident reconstruction evidence
Acting promptly can help preserve evidence before it disappears.
How Long Do You Have to File an Arizona Car Accident Lawsuit?
Under A.R.S. § 12-542, actions for personal injuries generally must be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues.
Different circumstances can affect the deadline or create additional procedural requirements. Claims involving public entities, for example, can present separate rules that should be evaluated based on the specific facts.
A missing police report does not automatically give an injured person additional time to act. Preserving evidence early can be especially important when there is no official report documenting the collision.
Contact Feller & Wendt, LLC for a Free Consultation With an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer Today
A missing police report may leave you wondering whether you have enough evidence to move forward. At Feller & Wendt, LLC, our attorneys have over 120 years of combined experience and have recovered over $100 million in compensation for clients. The firm can review the available evidence, investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision, and explain the options that may be available based on your situation.
If a crash left you injured without an official report to tell the story, an Arizona car accident attorney can help you build that story from the evidence that remains. Reach out today for a free consultation and find out what your next move could look like.
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