# Car accidents in Phoenix: deadlines, reports and city claims

> After a Phoenix crash: Arizona's 2-year deadline, pure comparative fault, Phoenix Police and DPS reports, the 180-day city claim and where to sue.

Canonical page: https://accidentclaimfacts.com/location/phoenix/  
Last reviewed: October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team  
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, 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

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

## Deadlines and fault rules in Phoenix

Phoenix follows Arizona state law. The statute of limitations 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).

> **Example:** A driver on Camelback Road is hit while pulling out of a parking lot. A jury finds them 25% at fault for not waiting for a clear gap and the other driver 75% at fault for speeding. The injured driver recovers 75% of their proven damages.

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](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/location/arizona/) 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 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](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/claim-process/police-report/) to learn what the report shows and how to ask for a correction.

## Claims against the city

Arizona's notice of claim 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.

> **Warning:** The same rules apply to Maricopa County, the state and other public bodies, but each has its own person authorized to receive claims. A notice sent to the wrong office, or one without a specific dollar amount, can lose the claim.

## 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](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/accidents/motorcycle-accidents/).

## Where a lawsuit is filed

Phoenix lawsuits are filed in Maricopa County courts:

| Court | Cases it hears |
|---|---|
| Justice court small claims division | Claims up to $5,000, but not against the state or a city or county |
| Justice court | Civil cases up to $10,000 |
| Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County | Larger civil cases |

In Superior Court, cases valued under $50,000 go to compulsory arbitration 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](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/claim-process/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](https://www.azbar.org/for-legal-professionals/practice-tools-management/member-directory/).

## FAQ

### 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

- [Phoenix Police Department, Public records](https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/police/crime-stats-data/public-records-crime-stats.html) — online portal and request types
- [Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 12-2505](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/02505.htm) — comparative fault
- [Arizona Legislature, Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542(1)](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/00542.htm), checked October 29, 2026
- [Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 12-821.01(A)](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/00821-01.htm), checked October 29, 2026
- [Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 12-821](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/00821.htm), checked October 29, 2026
- [City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department, Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan 2025 Annual Report (October 2026)](https://www.phoenix.gov/content/dam/phoenix/streetssite/documents/rsap/2025%20PHX%20RSAP%20Annual%20Report_Final_10.8.2026.pdf), checked October 29, 2026
- [Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County, Compulsory arbitration](https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/departments/superior-court/civil/arbitration/), checked October 29, 2026
- [Arizona Legislature, Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-711](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/00711.htm), checked October 29, 2026
- [Phoenix Police Department, Public Records Fee Schedule (effective November 2, 2026)](https://www.phoenix.gov/content/dam/phoenix/policesite/documents/PPD%20Public%20Records%20Fee%20Schedule%20Final%20v3.pdf), checked October 29, 2026
- [Arizona Department of Public Safety, Request records](https://www.azdps.gov/request-records), checked October 29, 2026
- [Arizona Department of Public Safety, Records request (Public Services Portal)](https://www.azdps.gov/services/public-services-portal/records-request), checked October 29, 2026
- [City of Phoenix Finance Department, Risk Management (City of Phoenix claim form)](https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/finance/risk-management.html), checked October 29, 2026
- [Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 22-503(A)](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/22/00503.htm), checked October 29, 2026
- [Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. § 22-201(B)](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/22/00201.htm), checked October 29, 2026
- [Maricopa County Bar Association, Lawyer Referral Service (client referrals)](https://maricopabar.org/?pg=clientReferrals), checked October 29, 2026
- [Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 28-4009 (motor vehicle liability policy requirements)](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/04009.htm), checked October 28, 2026