[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/reading-your-arizona-car-accident-report\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/reading-your-arizona-car-accident-report\/","headline":"Reading Your Arizona Car Accident Report","name":"Reading Your Arizona Car Accident Report","description":"An Arizona car accident report contains essential information for building a strong personal injury claim. That information includes the date, time, and location of the accident scene, the names of the involved parties, the contact information for witnesses, crash details and diagrams, and other relevant observations. When pursuing compensation after...","datePublished":"2026-05-11","dateModified":"2026-05-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/author\/phoenixlawteam-zach\/#Person","name":"Zachary Mushkatel","url":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/author\/phoenixlawteam-zach\/","identifier":24,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fd982df245bac5ca956f9a35879e7f3b6827ba255c2fba7b3af833bca79ccc76?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fd982df245bac5ca956f9a35879e7f3b6827ba255c2fba7b3af833bca79ccc76?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Mushkatel-robbins-becker-pllc-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Mushkatel-robbins-becker-pllc-logo.png","width":459,"height":157}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/police-interview-car-accident.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/police-interview-car-accident.jpg","height":562,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/reading-your-arizona-car-accident-report\/","about":["Car Accidents"],"wordCount":1058,"articleBody":"An Arizona car accident report contains essential information for building a strong personal injury claim. That information includes the date, time, and location of the accident scene, the names of the involved parties, the contact information for witnesses, crash details and diagrams, and other relevant observations.When pursuing compensation after a car crash, understanding the accident report is essential. When you work with Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., we can help you identify key information in a report for building a strong case and spot errors so you can rectify them before they harm your claim.How Do You Get a Copy of Your Arizona Car Accident Report?Arizona law requires law enforcement officers to complete a written crash report for most reportable accidents. You can obtain a copy through several official channels, including:Arizona Department of Public Safety \u2013 If an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper responded to your crash, you can request the report directly from DPS. The agency offers an online portal for submitting records requests. You typically need to provide the date and location of the crash, as well as the names of the involved drivers. DPS often charges a small fee and processes requests within several business days.Local Law Enforcement Agencies \u2013 City and county police departments handle many crashes in Arizona. You must request the report from the specific agency that investigated the accident. For example, if the Scottsdale Police Department created the report, you will have to request a copy through their website.Third-Party Vendors \u2013 Several private companies retrieve police crash reports for a fee. These vendors often provide faster access and searchable databases. However, they may charge more than law enforcement agencies to obtain a copy of your report. Always confirm that the vendor connects directly to the reporting agency before paying.What Information Should You Look for in a Police Crash Report?Arizona car accident reports contain a ton of information. Some sections carry far more importance than others when pursuing a car accident claim. Here\u2019s a quick breakdown:A.R.S. \u00a7 28-677 RequirementsArizona Revised Statutes \u00a7 28-677 outlines what officers must include in an accident report. Essential information includes:Date and time of the accidentLocation of the accidentNumber of vehicles involvedNumber of injuries or deathsIdentifying info for all parties and witnessesA narrative description of the facts of the accidentA simple diagram of the sceneInvestigating officer\u2019s name, agency, and ID number.Secondary Collision InformationSome accidents involve a secondary collision, such as a vehicle striking another car after the initial impact. Officers often document these details separately. Secondary crash details matter because they can affect fault in a car accident claim.Vehicle and Driver DescriptionsThe accident report describes each vehicle involved, including:Make, model, and yearLicense plate numberInsurance informationDriver names and contact detailsPassenger InformationOfficers list passengers for each vehicle, along with seating positions and injury information. Passenger details often support injury claims and help identify additional witnesses who might share critical information for building your claim.Vehicle and Non-Vehicle DamageThe report describes visible damage to vehicles, property, road signs, fences, or other objects. Officers may include diagrams or coded damage indicators. These details can support accident reconstruction and help counter insurance companies’ attempts to downplay injuries.Witnesses Contact InformationWitness statements can influence fault determinations. An Arizona car accident report typically lists witness names and contact information of witnesses. An experienced car accident attorney can contact these witnesses and obtain helpful testimony.Any Citations IssuedIf the officer issues traffic citations, the report will list them. Citations for speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, or impaired driving often support negligence claims, even if the case does not result in a conviction.Can You Dispute Information on the Crash Report?Police officers sometimes make mistakes in accident reports, whether due to a misunderstanding of a statement, misidentification of a vehicle, recording an inaccurate location, or entering the wrong date or time. Fortunately, you have options for addressing this issue.Arizona law does not permit officers to easily modify reports after submission. However, you can gather evidence that proves the error, such as photos, videos, or witness statements, and submit a written statement to the investigating agency for review and potential revision.Some agencies also allow you to file a supplemental statement or attach your explanation to the original report so your perspective can be shared even if the original report goes unrevised.Can the Accident Report Help Prove the Other Driver Was At Fault for the Accident?The crash report can strongly influence fault determinations. Insurance adjusters often treat the officer\u2019s conclusions as credible, neutral observations. Statements about unsafe speed, improper turns, failure to obey traffic signals, and other examples of negligence can help establish liability.However, the report does not control the outcome of a case. It simply provides a strong foundation for your attorney to build a compelling insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. When a report offers inaccurate or incomplete information, a skilled lawyer can challenge assumptions and present additional evidence to support your version of events.Can You Offer a Police Accident Report as Evidence of Negligence?Arizona courts do not automatically admit police accident reports as evidence of negligence because they are often hearsay. However, an experienced personal injury attorney will know how to use the report during the investigation and settlement negotiations.Your lawyer may use the report to:Locate witnessesSupport expert opinionsCorroborate medical timelinesStrengthen insurance negotiations.Even if a court does not directly admit the police report, the document can still prove vital in gathering powerful evidence that courts will accept.Contact an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer TodayThe team at Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., has over 50 years of combined experience protecting the rights of Phoenix residents. We offer our clients the personalized service of a small firm, with the resources of a large firm. That combination has earned us a long list of heartfelt testimonials from the many Arizonans we\u2019ve helped over the years.Our car accident lawyers understand what it takes to build a compelling case for the accountability and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation regarding the specific facts of your car accident case."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Reading Your Arizona Car Accident Report","item":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/reading-your-arizona-car-accident-report\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]