How to Get a Crash Report in Arizona

Obtaining a crash report in Arizona depends on which agency investigated the accident. If the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS)^[1] responded, you can request the report through the DPS Public Services Portal^[1] or by contacting the DPS Records Unit directly. For crashes investigated by local police or county sheriff's offices, you will need to contact that specific agency.

Many Arizona law enforcement agencies use the BuyCrash platform by LexisNexis^[2], which allows you to search for and purchase crash reports online. Through BuyCrash^[2], reports are typically available for $5 plus a vendor convenience fee. This is often the fastest and most convenient option for obtaining your report. You can search by date, location, or the names of the drivers involved.

For DPS-investigated crashes, you can request reports by mail, fax, or email^[1]. The fee for a copy by mail, email, or fax is $9^[1], while a CD copy costs $10. If you need the report from a local agency, contact their records division directly, as fees and availability may vary. Some cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Chandler have their own online request systems through platforms like GovQA.

To request a crash report in Arizona, you should have the date and location of the crash, along with the names of the drivers involved. Having the report number or case number, which is typically provided by the responding officer at the scene, makes the search process much faster. If you do not have the case number, the date and location are usually sufficient.

For requests to Arizona DPS^[1], you may need to complete a records request form available on their website. The form asks for identifying information about the crash and the requester. You may also need to provide identification or proof that you are an involved party, depending on the agency and the type of report.

When using BuyCrash^[2] or other online platforms, you will typically search for your report using the date and location of the crash or the report number. Payment is made online by credit or debit card. For mail-in requests, payment can be made by check or money order payable to the requesting agency.

An Arizona crash report includes detailed information about the collision, including the date, time, and exact location, weather and road conditions, and descriptions of all vehicles involved. The report identifies all drivers, passengers, and witnesses, along with their contact and insurance information. The responding officer provides a narrative of events and may include a crash diagram.

Arizona uses a pure comparative negligence system^[5], which means you can recover compensation even if you were mostly at fault, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault^[5]. For example, if you are found 60% at fault for a crash and your damages total $100,000, you could still recover $40,000. The officer's determination of fault in the crash report is an important starting point for insurance companies when evaluating claims.

The report also documents any citations issued at the scene, such as traffic violations that may have contributed to the crash. While the crash report is not admissible as evidence in court under Arizona law, the officer who wrote it can be called to testify about their observations and findings, and insurance companies routinely use the report to assess claims.

After a crash in Arizona, the responding officer typically completes the crash report within 24 hours and submits it to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)^[6] as required by law^[3]. Reports are usually available for purchase through online platforms like BuyCrash^[2] within 3 to 7 business days after the crash.

For requests made directly to Arizona DPS^[1], processing may take longer depending on the volume of requests and the method of submission. Email and fax requests are generally processed faster than mail requests. Allow 1 to 2 weeks for DPS mail-in requests to be processed and returned^[1].

More complex crashes involving serious injuries, fatalities, or DUI investigations may take longer as the investigating agency completes its full report. In these cases, the report may not be available for several weeks. Contact the investigating agency directly if your report is not available within the expected timeframe.

Determine which agency investigated your crash before requesting a report. If you are unsure, check the business card or crash information sheet provided by the officer at the scene. Arizona DPS^[1] handles crashes on state highways and interstates, while city police and county sheriff's offices handle crashes within their jurisdictions.

If you were involved in a minor collision with no injuries and minimal damage, Arizona law allows you to file a Citizen's Collision Report through the Arizona DPS website^[7]. This self-reported form is useful when law enforcement did not respond to the scene, and it creates an official record of the incident for insurance purposes.

Arizona has a 2-year statute of limitations for both personal injury and property damage claims^[4]. If you plan to pursue a claim, obtain your crash report promptly and share it with your attorney. The crash report can reveal important details such as witness contact information and the officer's preliminary fault assessment that are critical for building your case.

A crash report is the starting point for any insurance claim or legal action after a car accident in Arizona. Insurance companies rely on crash reports to verify the details of the accident, assess fault, and determine the validity of claims. Without an official report, it becomes much more difficult to prove what happened and who was responsible.

Under Arizona's pure comparative negligence system^[5], the percentage of fault assigned to each party directly affects the amount of compensation they can recover^[5]. The crash report provides the officer's professional opinion on fault, which insurance adjusters use as a starting point for their evaluation. Reviewing the report early gives you the opportunity to identify and address any inaccuracies before they negatively impact your claim.

The crash report also preserves critical evidence that may be lost over time, including witness names and contact information, descriptions of vehicle damage, and documentation of road and weather conditions. This information is important if your case goes to trial, as it provides an independent, contemporaneous record of the crash created by a trained professional.