What Should I Avoid Doing After A Car Accident In Arizona?

When you are in an Arizona car accident, every decision you make in the immediate aftermath can dramatically affect your health, safety, and protection of legal rights. One misstep — whether failing to report the collision, admitting fault, or sharing details online — can undermine your ability to recover fair compensation. 

Understanding what not to do after a crash — from skipping the police report to posting photos on social media — can protect your claim, preserve crucial evidence, and limit insurance company tactics aimed at reducing your payout. This guide walks you through the ten most common pitfalls Arizona drivers face and shows you how to avoid them.

Don’t Leave the Scene or Fail to Stop

Arizona law requires you to stop your vehicle at the scene of any collision; you must report the accident to law enforcement if there was injury, death, or property damage of over $1000. All drivers involved in such an accident must stop right away and remain at the scene of the accident.

You should also provide identification and render reasonable assistance. Failing to comply can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of injuries, and can lead to the suspension of your driver’s license. 

Legally, without an official police report, proving fault and documenting the scene becomes exponentially more difficult — insurers often regard unsigned, handwritten notes as unreliable.

Don’t Skip the Police Report

A formal police report not only fulfills your legal obligation but also serves as a foundational document for insurance claims, capturing crucial details like skid marks, weather conditions, and officer impressions.

Avoid Admitting Fault or Saying “I’m sorry”

Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence standard. Under ARS § 12-2505, any percentage of fault attributed to you reduces your recovery by that amount. Even a casual apology (“I’m sorry”) or statement of uncertainty (“I guess I should have seen you”) can be construed as an admission of negligence.

Instead, stick to neutral statements: confirm everyone’s well-being, exchange identification and insurance information, and leave fault determination to the police and your attorney.

Don’t Give Statements to Adjusters

Within hours of the crash, adjusters from your insurer or the other people involved in the accident may call requesting recorded statements. While they seem courteous, their goal is to collect ammunition to devalue your claim. 

Adjusters may ask leading questions about your injuries, pre-accident health, and post-accident activities — any inconsistency can be used to challenge your credibility. 

Decline to communicate with an adjuster until you can consult a personal injury lawyer.

Don’t Discuss Your Case With Strangers or Casual Acquaintances

It can be tempting to vent about your accident to well-meaning friends, coworkers, or even neighbors. However, anything you say can inadvertently make its way to insurance adjusters or defense attorneys through informal channels.

Casual remarks (“I wasn’t really hurt”) or speculation about fault can be quoted in depositions and used against you in settlement negotiations or trials. The only discussions you should have about your case are with your attorney, medical providers, and official law enforcement officers. Ideally, everyone else should hear nothing more than, “I’m handling it through my lawyer.”

Don’t Post Details or Photos on Social Media

In today’s digital age, social media is often the first outlet personal injury victims use to share their experiences. Yet courts and insurers routinely subpoena Facebook posts, tweets, and Instagram photos to impeach injury claims. 

A photo of you lifting heavy boxes, hiking, or even smiling at a party — posted innocently to show you’re “recovering well” — can be exploited to argue that your injuries are not as serious as claimed.

Consider taking the following steps to safeguard your claim:

• Temporarily deactivate or privatize your accounts
• Do not post any accident-related updates or pictures of physical activities until your case is resolved
• Do not delete posts you think might hurt your claim or place fault on you for the accident — doing so can cause you more legal trouble. Instead, share your concern with your lawyer
• Assume that anything you share — text, photo, or video — can be used as evidence

Don’t Engage in Activities That Contradict Your Claimed Injuries

Insurance defense teams scour public records, social media, and local news for evidence that you’ve resumed strenuous activities.

A short bike ride, gym visit, or weekend of gardening — if photographed or videoed — can destroy the credibility of your injury claims. Even if you are cleared medically, insurers will equate resolved injuries with a lack of severity. 

Such evidence can be used to argue that your injuries were minor or resolved. Follow all medical restrictions, document each doctor’s visit, and keep a daily pain log to demonstrate consistency between your injuries and your physical capabilities.

Don’t Neglect Proper Documentation of Damages

Preserving evidence is vital to your case’s success. Immediately after the accident, take:

• Photographs of all vehicles involved, road conditions, skid marks, and traffic signs
• Video of the scene — if safe — to capture angles that still photos may miss
• Contact information for every witness, even those who say they “didn’t see much”

Additionally, retain all paperwork related to the crash, such as:

• Police and accident reports
• All medical records, bills, and prescriptions
• Repair estimates and invoices
• Documentation of lost wages (paystubs, employer letters)

Don’t Settle Too Quickly

Insurance carriers often present an early “take-it-or-leave-it,” low-dollar settlement offers to resolve claims cheaply. 

While tempting for an immediate influx of cash, these early offers rarely factor in:

• Future surgeries or rehabilitative care
• Ongoing therapy, assistive devices, or home modifications
• Loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to your prior job
• Non-economic damages — pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life

Remember, once you settle, you waive the right to any further compensation. Do not sign any release or accept any offer until you have a complete understanding of all current and anticipated costs. Big Auto Accident Attorneys can help you assess long-term costs before signing any agreement.

Don’t Ignore Time Limits and Statutes of Limitations

Arizona law imposes strict filing deadlines for personal injury claims. For example, you generally have 2 years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit for bodily injury. 

Occasionally, there are rare exceptions to this legal time limit. In most cases, though, if you miss the deadline, you permanently lose your right to sue. Even if you are still negotiating with insurers, be sure to file your claim before the limitations period expires and then continue negotiations.

Take Action Today to Protect Your Recovery

After a car accident in Arizona, the steps you take — or fail to take — can have a lasting impact on your financial and legal future. While it’s natural to feel overwhelmed after a crash, avoiding key missteps is just as crucial as taking the right actions. Even a simple mistake can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation, potentially costing you tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repairs.

At Big Auto Accident Attorneys, we know how difficult it can be to navigate the aftermath of an accident. Insurance companies may try to pressure you into accepting a low settlement or even deny your claim altogether. 

That’s why having a knowledgeable legal team in your corner is vital. With years of experience handling complex accident cases, we can ensure that you don’t fall into costly traps that can harm your case.

Contact Big Auto Accident Attorneys today to schedule your free case review. Our dedicated legal team will listen to your concerns, assess your case, and provide clear guidance every step of the way. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on healing and moving forward.