Arizona car accident laws: what every injured driver should know
Before you accept an insurance offer in Arizona, know the deadline you are working against, how fault will be split, and what real Arizona crashes have resolved for.
How fault works in Arizona
Arizona uses pure comparative fault: your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame, but you are not barred from recovering even if you were mostly at fault.
Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-2505
Insurance, and why the other driver’s limit matters
Arizona requires every driver to carry at least $25,000 per person in injury coverage. These minimums took effect July 1, 2020, replacing $15,000 / $30,000 / $10,000. When an injury costs more than the at-fault driver’s policy, your own coverage becomes the next source of recovery. Insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in writing; a policyholder can reject it.
Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 20-259.01
Arizona’s constitution forbids damages caps
Arizona’s constitution prohibits any law limiting the amount of damages recoverable for injury or death, so there is no statutory ceiling on a car accident award.
Source: Ariz. Const. art. II, § 31
The government deadline is far shorter
A crash involving a city bus, a police car or a dangerous road condition means a 180-day notice deadline and a one-year filing deadline. Missing the notice usually ends the claim regardless of its merits.
Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-821.01
Arizona guides
Car accidents by city in Arizona
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Arizona?
2 years from the crash for injuries (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542). A notice of claim must be served on the public entity within 180 days, and any lawsuit must be filed within one year of the crash.
Is Arizona a no-fault state?
No. Arizona is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurer, pays for the injuries they caused.
What if I was partly at fault?
Arizona uses pure comparative fault: your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame, but you are not barred from recovering even if you were mostly at fault.
What is the minimum car insurance in Arizona?
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-4009).
Do I have to report the accident?
A driver in a crash causing injury or death must stop, give their information, and render reasonable assistance, and the crash must be reported to police. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-661, 28-663)
Hurt in a Arizona crash?
See what Arizona cases like yours resolved for before you talk to an adjuster. Free, about 60 seconds, and a licensed Arizona attorney can review it at no cost.
This page is general information about Arizona law, reviewed September 2026. It is not legal advice, laws change, and the right answer for your claim depends on its facts. CaseChecker.ai is not a law firm; it connects people with independent attorneys licensed in their state.