How to Get an Accident Report in Arizona

Last updated: October 15, 2026

In Arizona, the agency that responded to the crash has the accident report. Crashes on interstates and state highways go through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), and crashes on city streets go through that city’s police department, so start by identifying where the crash happened.

Sources: Arizona DPS Records Request, the police records pages for each city linked below, and A.R.S. 28-667.

Where to get your Arizona accident report

Find the row that matches where the crash happened. Fees and wait times are what each agency publishes as of the date above.

Fatal crashes, and crashes connected to a criminal case such as a DUI, are generally not sold online. Request those directly from the investigating agency.

How to request your accident report, step by step

Minor crash on a state highway? Use the DPS Citizen’s Collision Report

If police did not respond to a minor crash on a state highway, Arizona DPS lets you file a Citizen’s Report of a Collision online and receive a police report number for your insurer. DPS says your crash must meet each of these conditions:

• It happened in DPS jurisdiction (on a state highway).
• No one was injured.
• Total estimated damage is less than $2,000.
• No more than two vehicles were involved.

DPS notes that the report number replaces a collision investigation; no trooper will determine fault or locate the other driver. If your crash does not qualify, call DPS at (602) 223-2000 and select option 8 to request contact from a trooper.

When you must report a crash in Arizona

Leaving the scene of a crash that injured someone is a felony in Arizona under A.R.S. 28-661. Leaving the scene of a damage-only crash with an unattended vehicle is a class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. 28-662.

Why the accident report matters for an injury claim

Insurance adjusters read the police report first. It records the parties, insurance information, witness names, the officer’s diagram and narrative, and any citation. Under Arizona’s pure comparative fault rule (A.R.S. 12-2505), each percentage point of fault assigned to you reduces what you can recover, so an inaccurate report can cost real money. For a broader walk-through of the claim process, see our guide to filing a car accident claim in Phoenix.

What to do if your report has a mistake

• Factual errors (wrong name, plate, insurance company, date or location): contact the records unit or the investigating officer and ask how to submit a correction or a supplemental report.
• Disagreements about how the crash happened: officers rarely change their opinion, but you can usually submit your own written statement, and photos, video and witness statements can carry more weight than the narrative.
• Missing witnesses: give their names and contact information to your insurer and keep copies.

Do not wait on the report to protect the claim. Arizona’s general deadline to file an injury lawsuit is two years, and claims against a city, county or state agency require a notice of claim within 180 days. See our guide to the Arizona statute of limitations for injury claims. If you are deciding whether you need help at all, read Do I need a lawyer after a car accident in Arizona?

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an accident report online in Arizona?

Yes, in most cases. State highway and interstate reports come through the DPS Public Services Portal. Phoenix has its own police records portal, and Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler, Glendale and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office sell crash reports online through BuyCrash. Scottsdale and Chandler also use CRASHDOCS. Fatal crashes and crashes tied to a criminal case (such as a DUI) are usually not available online and must be requested from the agency directly.

How long does it take to get an accident report in Arizona?

Expect about one to three weeks for a standard crash. Arizona DPS says a trooper’s collision report takes about 14 days to be completed. MCSO says to allow seven business days before it uploads its reports online. Chandler lists 10 to 15 business days once the officer finishes the case. Serious-injury and fatal crash reports can take much longer because the investigation is still open.

How much does an accident report cost in Arizona?

Usually $5 to $9. Arizona DPS charges $9.00 for an emailed report. Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office charge $5.00 for a standard report. Tucson charges $5.00 for an emailed copy. Online vendors such as BuyCrash may add their own fee. Victims of certain crimes are entitled to one free copy under A.R.S. 39-127.

What if the police didn’t come to the scene?

Then there may be no report to request. For a minor crash on a state highway, you can file a DPS Citizen’s Report of a Collision online to get a report number for your insurer, as long as no one was hurt, damage is under $2,000 and no more than two vehicles were involved. On city streets, call that city’s non-emergency line and ask how to report it. If anyone was injured, the driver must notify police immediately under A.R.S. 28-666.

What happens if you don’t report an accident within 24 hours in Arizona?

Arizona law does not set a 24-hour deadline for drivers. The rule is stricter than that: if anyone is injured or killed, the driver must notify police immediately by the quickest available means (A.R.S. 28-666), and leaving the scene of an injury crash without stopping and exchanging information is a felony (A.R.S. 28-661). The 24-hour figure in Arizona law applies to officers, who must complete their written report within 24 hours of finishing the investigation (A.R.S. 28-667). A late report can also hurt an insurance or injury claim, because it is harder to prove what happened.

Who can get a copy of my accident report?

Anyone involved in the crash, a vehicle owner, their insurers and their attorney can get the full, unredacted report under A.R.S. 28-667. Agencies are not allowed to release crash reports for commercial solicitation.

Related Arizona crash resources

• The most dangerous intersections in Phoenix
• Arizona car accident statistics
• Average personal injury settlement in Arizona
• Arizona statute of limitations for injury claims

About this page. Compiled by Elmm Law Group, an Arizona personal injury law firm with offices in Phoenix and Mesa, from the official records pages of Arizona DPS and each listed police department and from the Arizona Revised Statutes. Agency fees and procedures change; check the linked agency page before you submit a request. This page is general information, not legal advice.