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Car accidents in Phoenix: deadlines, reports and city claims

Arizona gives you two years to sue after a crash and uses pure comparative fault. A claim against the City of Phoenix or another public body needs a notice within 180 days.

Last reviewed By the Editorial team 4 min read

General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

Quick answer

After a crash in Phoenix, Arizona law generally gives you 2 years to file a lawsuit for injuries or vehicle damage. Arizona uses Pure comparative fault. The version of comparative negligence that lets you recover something even if you were mostly at fault, reduced by your share. Glossary, so your own share of fault reduces your damages but does not bar them. The local deadline to know: a claim against the City of Phoenix, or any Arizona public body, must be filed within 180 days and must name a specific amount for which you would settle.

Key facts

Injury lawsuit deadline
2 yearsA.R.S. § 12-542(1)
Vehicle damage deadline
2 yearsA.R.S. § 12-542(3)
Wrongful death deadline
2 yearsFrom the date of death
Fault rule
Pure comparative faultA.R.S. § 12-2505(A)
Notice of claim to a public body
180 daysA.R.S. § 12-821.01
Lawsuit against a public body
1 yearA.R.S. § 12-821
Traffic deaths in Phoenix, 2024
231City of Phoenix
Compulsory arbitration
Cases under $50,000Maricopa County Superior Court

Deadlines and fault rules in Phoenix#

Phoenix follows Arizona state law. The Statute of limitations. The law that sets the last day to file a lawsuit. After it passes, a court will usually dismiss the case, however strong it is. Glossary is 2 years for an injury lawsuit under A.R.S. § 12-542(1), 2 years for damage to your car, and 2 years from the date of death for wrongful death.

Arizona's comparative fault statute, A.R.S. § 12-2505(A), reduces your damages by your percentage of fault, with no cutoff. There is one important exception for impaired drivers. The defendant can be found not liable if the injured person was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, at least 50% responsible (A.R.S. § 12-711).

Arizona drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for injuries, plus $15,000 for property damage. The Arizona guide covers insurance and other statewide rules.

Getting a crash report in Phoenix#

Phoenix has two main report sources, depending on the road.

  • City streets: Phoenix Police. Request the Crash report. The official report an officer writes after investigating a crash, with the drivers, vehicles, witnesses and the officer's notes. Glossary through the department's online public records portal, choosing the "Traffic Crash" request type. Under the fee schedule that takes effect November 2, 2026, a crash report for a non-commercial request is free as a digital copy, or $0.25 a page if printed. You get an email when the request is complete.
  • Freeways and state highways: DPS. Crashes on interstates and state highways, including the freeways through Phoenix, are investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (state troopers). DPS charges $9 for a report sent by email and suggests waiting at least 14 days before checking whether it is ready.

Read our guide to police reports to learn what the report shows and how to ask for a correction.

Claims against the city#

Arizona's Notice of claim. A written notice that must be sent to a city, county or state agency before you can sue it, often within a few months. Glossary law is strict. Under A.R.S. § 12-821.01, a person with a claim against a public entity or public employee must file it within 180 days after the claim accrues. The notice must contain facts that explain why the government is liable, plus a specific amount for which the claim can be settled and the facts supporting that amount. A claim filed late is barred.

For the City of Phoenix, claims go to the City of Phoenix City Clerk Department, 200 W Washington Street, 15th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003, using the city's claim form. If the city does not answer in writing, the claim is treated as denied after 60 days. Any lawsuit against a public body must be filed within 1 year, half the usual deadline.

Crashes in Phoenix#

The city's Vision Zero annual report counted 231 traffic deaths on Phoenix roads in 2024, down from 263 in 2023. The same report found that fatal motorcycle crashes averaged 43 a year in 2020-2024, up from 34 in 2016-2020. See our guide to motorcycle accidents.

Where a lawsuit is filed#

Phoenix lawsuits are filed in Maricopa County courts:

CourtCases it hears
Justice court small claims divisionClaims up to $5,000, but not against the state or a city or county
Justice courtCivil cases up to $10,000
Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa CountyLarger civil cases

In Superior Court, cases valued under $50,000 go to compulsory Arbitration. A private process in which a neutral arbitrator hears both sides and decides the dispute. Unlike a mediator, an arbitrator makes the decision; whether it is binding depends on the agreement or court rules. Glossary before a court-appointed arbitrator. The losing party can appeal the award, which sends the case back to the assigned judge for a new trial. See our guide to filing a lawsuit.

Finding a lawyer in Phoenix#

The Maricopa County Bar Association runs a Lawyer Referral Service. If a lawyer is available in your area of law, you pay a one-time, non-refundable $50 fee and receive the lawyer's contact details to schedule a 30-minute consultation. You are not required to hire that lawyer.

To check a lawyer's license and any discipline, use the State Bar of Arizona's member directory.

Questions people ask

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Phoenix?

Generally 2 years from the crash to file a lawsuit. If a public body is involved, the notice of claim is due within 180 days and the lawsuit within 1 year.

How do I get a Phoenix Police crash report?

Submit a "Traffic Crash" request through the Phoenix Police public records portal. For crashes on a freeway, request the report from the Arizona Department of Public Safety instead.

How do I file a claim against the City of Phoenix?

Complete the City of Phoenix claim form and file it with the City Clerk Department within 180 days. Include a specific amount for which you would settle and the facts that support it.

Can I recover if I was partly at fault in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona's pure comparative fault rule reduces your damages by your share of fault. There is one exception for impaired drivers. The defendant can be found not liable if the injured person was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, at least 50% responsible (A.R.S. § 12-711).

What is compulsory arbitration in Maricopa County?

A required step for Superior Court cases valued under $50,000. A court-appointed arbitrator decides the case first, and the losing party can appeal for a new trial.

Sources

  1. Phoenix Police Department, Public records — online portal and request types
  2. Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 12-2505 — comparative fault
  3. Arizona Legislature, Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542(1) — as of October 2026
  4. Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 12-821.01(A) — as of October 2026
  5. Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 12-821 — as of October 2026
  6. City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department, Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan 2025 Annual Report (October 2026) — as of October 2026
  7. Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County, Compulsory arbitration — as of October 2026
  8. Arizona Legislature, Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-711 — as of October 2026
  9. Phoenix Police Department, Public Records Fee Schedule (effective November 2, 2026) — as of October 2026
  10. Arizona Department of Public Safety, Request records — as of October 2026
  11. Arizona Department of Public Safety, Records request (Public Services Portal) — as of October 2026
  12. City of Phoenix Finance Department, Risk Management (City of Phoenix claim form) — as of October 2026
  13. Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 22-503(A) — as of October 2026
  14. Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 22-201(B) — as of October 2026
  15. Maricopa County Bar Association, Lawyer Referral Service (client referrals) — as of October 2026
  16. State Bar of Arizona, Member directory — as of October 2026
  17. Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 28-4009 (motor vehicle liability policy requirements) — as of October 2026

Last reviewed October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team. Found an error? Tell us.

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