Many Arizona drivers think that after a minor car accident, swapping first names and phone numbers or taking a quick photo is enough. State law says otherwise.
Do you have to exchange insurance details after an accident in Arizona? Under A.R.S. §28-663, you must stop and exchange insurance information and other details after any collision that causes injury, death, or property damage.
Skipping this step can bring criminal charges, fines that can reach $500, and up to 30 days in jail in some cases. This applies to cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrian incidents.
This guide explains what insurance information to exchange, how to exchange insurance details step by step, when to call the police for a report, and what to do if a driver refuses to share.
You will get practical tips for documenting the accident scene, meeting insurer timelines, and avoiding the problems that come from leaving the scene without exchanging information.
Based in Tempe and serving clients across Arizona, The Sorenson Law Firm brings 130+ years of combined experience to personal injury and car accident cases.
If you were in a car crash and need help with an insurance claim, speak with an Arizona personal injury lawyer today.
Do You Have To Exchange Insurance Details After an Accident in Arizona?
Insurance information exchange means sharing the core details that allow each driver, rider, or pedestrian to identify the other and file a claim.
Under A.R.S. §28-663 and the stop-and-render-aid rule in A.R.S. §28-661, anyone involved in a vehicle accident with injury, death, or property damage must stop at the scene and exchange information.
At a minimum, share:
- Full name and address
- Contact information (mobile number and email)
- Driver’s license number and state
- Vehicle registration and license plate number
- Vehicle make, model, year, and color
- Insurance company name, policy number, and insurer contact
Share the information with every involved party and with responding officers. Photograph documents at the accident scene so numbers are captured correctly. This information after an accident helps each insurer validate coverage and start liability review without delay.
What Does A.R.S. §28-663 Require at the Accident Scene?
State law requires drivers involved in a vehicle accident to stop, give information, and provide reasonable assistance. At the scene of the accident, drivers must:
- Stop and remain long enough to complete the exchange and aid anyone injured.
- Provide name, address, and vehicle registration to the other party and to police on request.
- Show a driver’s license on request.
- Provide insurance information, including company, policy number, and claim contact.
- Call for medical help when needed and arrange transport if asked.
These duties apply in any accident with injury, death, or property damage, not just major crashes. A police report strengthens the record but does not replace your duty to exchange insurance details.
Why Insurance Information Exchange Is Critical in a Fault-Based System
Arizona uses an at-fault system, which means that the insurance company for the driver who caused the collision pays for losses. A.R.S. §12-2505 uses pure comparative negligence, so each party’s recovery is reduced by their share of fault.
Missing insurance information blocks or slows an insurance claim for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Accurate data ties injuries and vehicle damage to the correct policy and helps adjusters reach the right carrier.
In a car accident, the details you gather can make or break coverage decisions and settlement timing. A correct policy number and insurer phone number often prevent weeks of delay.
Types of Accidents Where Exchanging Insurance Information Is Required
Duties to stop and give information apply to crashes involving cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians statewide. That includes low-speed collisions and parking lot incidents in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Tempe.
If the event caused injury or property damage, exchange information at the scene and document the car crash conditions with photos or video.
Minor Car Accident No Information Exchanged
This is a common mistake. Neck and back injuries often surface later. Low-speed impacts can bend a frame or damage sensors. Insurers still expect full details and quick notice.
Skipping the exchange risks claim denial and leaves you with no way to contact the other driver or their carrier.
Penalties for Failing To Exchange Insurance Details
Not exchanging insurance details or leaving the scene creates criminal exposure. Penalties range from misdemeanors with fines up to $500 and possible jail up to 30 days to felony charges for serious injury or death. Licenses can be suspended.
A police report and citation become part of the record and will be reviewed by insurance companies and the court in any later civil case.
How To Exchange Insurance Information
Once it is safe to do so, calmly approach the other driver and request their insurance details. Provide your own in return, and keep the conversation limited to factual information. Never admit fault.
Avoid oversharing sensitive data such as Social Security numbers or home addresses. Using your phone to photograph cards and documents helps ensure accuracy.
What Insurance Information To Exchange
You should exchange names of insurance companies, policy numbers, and the policyholders’ full names. Also record driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and the other vehicle’s make, model, and color.
Having this specific information allows insurers to verify coverage and process claims efficiently.
What To Avoid
Do not admit fault, assign blame, or minimize pain. Stick to the exchange and save statements about the collision for police and your insurer.
Arizona’s Legal Standard for Insurance Info Exchange Duties
How Exchanging Insurance Details Affects Comparative Negligence
Pure comparative negligence assigns a fault percentage to each party. Your compensation drops by your share of fault. Clear photos, accurate insurance information, and complete contact information help carriers and, if needed, juries assign fair percentages.
A clean exchange prevents disputes about who was present, who owned each vehicle, and which insurer should pay first.
What Is the Burden of Proof in a Crash Claim?
The injured person must prove duty, breach, causation, and damages by a preponderance of the evidence. The exchange at the accident scene links the right driver, vehicle, and policy to the event. It also identifies witnesses and creates a path to secure statements and recordings.
Without it, proving coverage and filing suit against the right defendant becomes harder and more expensive.
Insurance Minimums
Arizona minimum auto liability limits are $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (A.R.S. §28-4009). Many serious injury claims exceed these amounts.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM), medical payments, and collision coverage can fill gaps. Knowing every policy in play helps you file a claim in the right order and protect recovery under pure comparative negligence rules.
Legal Process for Reporting and Filing a Claim After an Arizona Accident
When To Call Police and File a Police Report
Call 911 for any injury, disabled vehicle, hit-and-run, or suspected impairment. Officers typically file an Arizona Crash Report when there is injury, death, or apparent property damage of $2,000 or more.
Ask for the incident or report number at the scene. You can request a copy later for your insurance claim.
When To Contact Insurance Companies
Many insurance companies expect notice within 24–72 hours. Notify your own insurer even if you were not at fault. Share only factual details.
Delay recorded statements until you speak with counsel, especially if injuries are still being evaluated. Keep a copy of the accident report, photos, and medical visit summaries ready for the adjuster.
Timeline To File a Lawsuit
For most personal injury and property damage claims, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident (A.R.S. §12-542). Claims against a city, county, or state require a notice of claim within 180 days and suit within one year (A.R.S. §12-821.01).
Missed deadlines can end a case. Track dates from day one.
What Happens When the Other Driver Refuses an Insurance Info Exchange or Leaves the Scene?
If a driver refuses to share insurance details, call police, remain calm, and record the license plate number. Gather witness names and phone numbers.
Take wide and close photos of vehicles and the scene. Write a short note in your phone describing the refusal and time. Ask officers to document it in the accident report.
A driver who leaves the scene commits hit-and-run. Call 911, move to safety, and collect what you can:
- Dashcam clips, doorbell or business camera locations
- Partial plate or vehicle description
- Witness contact information
File a claim under UM coverage if available. Police and insurers can often identify the vehicle with partial data.
Can You Still File a Claim With Limited Information?
Yes. You can file a claim with your own carrier under UM/UIM or collision. Provide the police report, medical records, and any video. Carriers can open an investigation and credit your deductible if the other driver is found later.
Key Evidence in Insurance Information Exchange Disputes
Documents That Help Prove Fault and Damages
Strong files lead to stronger results. Gather:
- Police report and incident number
- Medical records, bills, and discharge notes
- Repair estimates and total loss valuations
- Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries
- Witness statements and dashcam or helmet cam video
These items connect the accident to your losses and support both liability and damages.
How Photos and Videos Support Your Insurance Claim
Images show impact points, skid marks, traffic signals, lane lines, and weather. Capture VIN plates, the insurance card, and the license plate. Video can refute claims about low impact or sudden stops.
Records To Save After the Car Accident
Keep contact information for all parties, claim numbers, rental car receipts, towing and storage bills, and wage loss proof. Save all communications with insurance companies. Use a simple folder or cloud drive so nothing gets lost.
Insurance Company Tactics and Settlement Tips After a Car Crash
Tactics Insurance Companies Use
Common tactics include quick low offers, broad medical release requests, and attempts to shift blame. “Minor impact” arguments often surface even with clear injury diagnoses. Adjusters may urge recorded statements before you know the full medical picture.
How To Protect Your Claim Value
Point adjusters to photos, the police report, and your care timeline. Keep a symptom diary from day one. Track out-of-pocket costs so you can calculate and determine losses with clarity. Decline broad releases that give access to unrelated medical history.
When To Speak With a Car Accident Attorney
Call an accident attorney when injuries are serious, fault is disputed, or a hit-and-run occurred. Early guidance helps you file a claim correctly, avoid statements that harm your case, and meet strict deadlines.
The Role of a Car Accident Attorney in Arizona
How an Attorney Can Help When Accident Information Is Incomplete
Lawyers track down coverage and evidence. Steps can include subpoenas for video, 911 audio, and cell records; canvassing nearby businesses; and searching for umbrella or secondary policies. This work fills gaps that occur when the exchange at the scene fell short.
What Does a Lawyer Do During Insurance Info Exchange Disputes?
Counsel manages communications with insurance companies, prepares clients for recorded statements, and files preservation letters.
Deadlines under A.R.S. §12-542 and notice rules for public entities are calendared and met. Comparative negligence arguments are developed with expert support.
Why Choose a Local Firm
Local knowledge matters. Our team knows Arizona courts, common adjuster practices, and how pure comparative negligence plays out in settlement rooms. Nearby access to clients and crash scenes shortens investigation time and helps present stronger cases.
How The Sorenson Law Firm Can Help
Services Our Team Provides From Day One
We launch a thorough investigation, including scene photos, witness interviews, and document requests. We review medical records, assess damages, and set up claims with the right carriers. All insurer communications run through our office so you can focus on healing.
What Happens if Settlement Talks Stall?
We prepare a litigation plan. That means filing, discovery, expert retention, and trial advocacy backed by 130+ years of combined experience. Our civil litigation background and insurance defense insight help anticipate the next move.
How To Get Started
Free consultation is available now. We serve clients across the Valley and statewide.
If you were involved in a vehicle accident and need help with exchanging insurance details, claim filing, or settlement negotiations, contact The Sorenson Law Firm in Tempe to protect your claim and your recovery.
Key Points To Remember
- Arizona law requires you to stop and exchange insurance information after an accident with injury, death, or property damage.
- Pure comparative negligence (A.R.S. §12-2505) means missing details can reduce or delay compensation.
- Call police for injuries or significant damage, and get the police report number for your insurance claim.
- Notify insurance companies within 24–72 hours, and avoid recorded statements without legal advice.
- The two-year statute (A.R.S. §12-542) applies to most personal injury and property damage claims, with shorter notice rules for government entities.
- A car accident attorney can gather evidence, handle insurers, and file a claim on time to protect your rights.
Additional Resources
- Arizona Revised Statutes §28-663: Driver’s duty to give information and assistance at the scene.
- ADOT Crash Reporting and Records: How to request a police report and statewide crash data.
- NHTSA Traffic Safety Resources: Research on crash causes, injuries, and vehicle safety.
