Arizona · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Arizona: police, state report and crash report copies

When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.

Short answer

If anyone is hurt or killed, you must tell police right away by the quickest means: city police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol (DPS) office. No separate crash report from drivers to ADOT/MVD.

Crash report copies
Can be ordered online (see below)
Law
A.R.S. §§ 28-666, 28-667

When to call the police in Arizona

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police
If anyone is hurt or killed, you must tell police right away by the quickest means: city police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol (DPS) office. For damage-only crashes there is no legal duty to call police, but an officer who does investigate a crash with injury, death, damage over $2,000 or a ticket must write a full report.
Law
A.R.S. §§ 28-666, 28-667
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Arizona

Your own report
No separate crash report from drivers to ADOT/MVD. Police send their reports to the Department of Transportation. For minor crashes on state highways, DPS has an online Citizen's Report of a Collision.

How to get a copy of the crash report in Arizona

  • Ask the agency that handled the crash (city police or county sheriff); DPS does not keep their reports.
  • For crashes on interstates and state highways worked by state troopers, request the collision report from the Arizona Department of Public Safety through its Public Services Portal (create an account, then 'Request a Report or Records'); requests are not taken by phone.
  • Electronic copies cost $9; paper copies $9 for the first 9 pages.
  • Reports may not be given out for commercial solicitation (A.R.S. § 28-667). https://www.azdps.gov/services/public/records

Arizona has an online way to get at least some crash reports. Reports written by a city police department or sheriff may have to be requested from that agency; our free request letter can help.

More facts for Arizona

  • Police reports cannot be released for commercial solicitation, and agencies may ask you to swear you are not requesting one for that purpose (A.R.S. § 28-667).

Step by step after a crash in Arizona

  1. Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
  2. Call the police when Arizona law requires it. If anyone is hurt or killed, you must tell police right away by the quickest means: city police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol (DPS) office.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. No separate crash report from drivers to ADOT/MVD.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. Ask the agency that handled the crash (city police or county sheriff); DPS does not keep their reports.
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Arizona

Questions about reporting a crash in Arizona

When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Arizona?

If anyone is hurt or killed, you must tell police right away by the quickest means: city police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol (DPS) office. For damage-only crashes there is no legal duty to call police, but an officer who does investigate a crash with injury, death, damage over $2,000 or a ticket must write a full report.

Do I have to file my own accident report in Arizona?

No separate crash report from drivers to ADOT/MVD. Police send their reports to the Department of Transportation. For minor crashes on state highways, DPS has an online Citizen's Report of a Collision.

How do I get a copy of a crash report in Arizona?

Ask the agency that handled the crash (city police or county sheriff); DPS does not keep their reports. For crashes on interstates and state highways worked by state troopers, request the collision report from the Arizona Department of Public Safety through its Public Services Portal (create an account, then 'Request a Report or Records'); requests are not taken by phone. Electronic copies cost $9; paper copies $9 for the first 9 pages. Reports may not be given out for commercial solicitation (A.R.S. § 28-667). https://www.azdps.gov/services/public/records

More for Arizona drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.