What Is a ‘Notice of Claim’ and When Do You Need to File One in Arizona?

Most car accident cases in Arizona are filed against individuals, drivers, or insurance companies. But if your accident involves a government entity — like a city, county, or the State of Arizona — there’s an extra step you must take before you can sue: filing a Notice of Claim.

At Big Auto Accident Attorneys, our team regularly handles claims against public agencies, including cases involving unsafe roads, government vehicles, and municipal negligence. Here’s what you need to know about Arizona’s Notice of Claim requirement — and why acting quickly is critical.

What Is a Notice of Claim?

A Notice of Claim is a formal written notice that alerts a government entity you intend to pursue legal action against it. This step is required under Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-821.01.

The notice must include:

• The facts underlying your accident and injuries
  
• The amount of money you are demanding in settlement
  
• Supporting documentation for your damages
  

Without this notice, your case can be dismissed before it even begins.

When Do You Need to File One?

You must file a Notice of Claim if your case involves any public entity or public employee. Common examples include:

• Accidents caused by city buses or government-owned vehicles
• Crashes involving law enforcement vehicles
• Injuries caused by poorly maintained roads, potholes, or unsafe intersections under city, county, or state control
• Negligence by public employees performing official duties
  

The Deadline: 180 Days

The biggest trap for accident victims is the strict deadline. Under Arizona law, you have only 180 days from the date of the accident or injury to file a Notice of Claim.

If you miss this deadline, your right to sue the government is lost — no exceptions.

This is far shorter than the two-year statute of limitations that typically applies to personal injury cases in Arizona, making it essential to act fast.

Who Do You File It With?

The notice must be filed with the appropriate government office:

• City Clerk for city-related claims (e.g., Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson).
  
• County Board of Supervisors for county-related claims.
  
• Arizona Attorney General’s Office or state agency for state-level claims (e.g., ADOT for highway accidents).
  

An attorney can ensure your claim is filed with the correct entity and delivered properly.

Why These Rules Exist

The Notice of Claim process is designed to:

• Give government entities a chance to investigate and resolve claims before litigation.
  
• Allow them to budget for potential payouts.
  
• Protect taxpayers by limiting frivolous lawsuits.
  

But in practice, it often becomes a roadblock for victims — unless they have experienced legal representation.

Why You Need an Attorney for Government Claims

Cases against public entities are more complex than standard car accident claims. At Big Auto Accident Attorneys, we:

• Identify whether a Notice of Claim is required.
  
• Draft precise, legally compliant notices that meet Arizona’s strict requirements.
  
• File within the 180-day deadline.
  
• Build a strong case for settlement or litigation if the government refuses to pay fairly.
  

Our team knows how to hold public agencies accountable, whether the crash happened on I-10 under ADOT’s jurisdiction or on city streets maintained by local governments.

Contact Big Auto Accident Attorneys

If your accident involved a government vehicle or unsafe public roadway, don’t risk losing your case by missing the Notice of Claim deadline. The sooner you act, the stronger your chances of success.

Call Big Auto Accident Attorneys in Arizona today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, handle all filings on time, and fight for the justice you deserve.

Hurt in a crash involving government negligence? Contact Big Auto now — our team is available 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we win.

Content reviewed by managing attorney, Nic Edgson. Nic has been an Arizona-licensed lawyer for more than a decade and focuses his law practice on helping people seriously injured in car accidents and truck accidents. He has represented thousands of clients and recovered more than $50 Million Dollars fighting for their injuries and medical bills. Throughout his legal career, Nic has helped those injured through some of the most difficult times in their lives.