If you’ve been in a crash, whether it seemed minor or turned your life upside down, getting the police report is one of the most important steps you can take. It’s the document that backs up your story, helps prove fault, and can make or break your claim. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to get your accident report in Arizona, why it matters, what should be included, what to do if it needs corrections, and more.
How to Request a Police Report in Arizona (And What You’ll Need)
If you’re trying to get a copy of your accident report after a crash in Arizona, the process can feel confusing, especially if you’ve never had to do this before. But once you know where to look and what to have ready, it gets a lot more manageable. Let’s walk through the steps for requesting your accident report, based on where the crash happened and how you’d like to access it.
Online (City of Phoenix Portal)
The easiest way for most people to get a police report is online. If your crash was investigated by the Phoenix Police Department, go to their public records portal. You’ll need a few key details:
- The report number (if available)
- Date and time of the crash
- Location of the accident
- Names of anyone involved (including yours)
Expect to pay between $9 and $30, depending on the length of the report and whether it includes items like photos or supplements. Once submitted, reports typically become available within a few business days, though delays are common during high-volume periods.
If the crash did not occur within Phoenix city limits, you’ll need to visit their own online records portals or request forms.
In Person
If you’re in Phoenix or want the report quickly, you can request it in person at Phoenix Police Public Records, at the address: 1717 E Grant St, Phoenix, AZ 85034. Other cities have their own records divisions. You’ll need to visit their specific police department headquarters if your accident happened there.
Bring a valid photo ID and as much detail as you can about the crash. Many people find that this option is faster and less frustrating than using the online system, especially if your online request has stalled or returned an error.
By Mail or Phone
You can request your report by mail or call the records department directly. You’ll still need to include the crash date, names of those involved, and the accident location. Be sure to include payment if you’re mailing the request. Just keep in mind that phone lines are often busy, and departments may take time to respond. Still, calling can be helpful if you’re unsure which agency has your report.
From DPS (If It Happened on a Highway)
If your accident happened on a state or interstate highway, like I-10, Loop 101, or SR387, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) likely handled the report. City police departments won’t have those records.
Go to the DPS Public Records Request Portal to start your request. DPS forms are slightly different from city police departments, and processing times can vary depending on the crash and whether criminal charges were involved.
Through Your Lawyer or Insurance Company
Car accident law firms regularly request police reports directly from the appropriate agency, saving you time and frustration. They know which forms to file, how to follow up if there’s a delay, and what to do if the agency sends back the wrong file.
Some insurance companies can also request the report for you, especially if they’re actively investigating the claim. But this doesn’t always happen automatically. If you’re unsure, ask your adjuster directly.
Either way, having the report in hand, whether you get it yourself or through your lawyer, is a crucial first step. Without it, the rest of your case can hit a wall.
Why the Police Report Matters After a Crash
After a wreck, your focus is on healing, fixing your car, and getting your life back on track. But before anything moves forward, especially with insurance or legal action, you need to have proof of what happened. That’s what the police report gives you.
This report isn’t just a formality. It becomes the foundation of your entire personal injury claim. Insurance companies use it to decide whether to accept or deny your case. Lawyers rely on it to prove fault, and courts see it as the first piece of official documentation tied to the crash. It confirms when and where the crash happened, who was involved, and what the officer observed at the scene.
In most car accident cases, the police report is the first step to recovery. Without it, you could be stuck in a “he said, she said” situation with no backup.
So, what’s included in a police report, what’s not, and how can it impact your claim, even before you’ve seen a settlement offer?
What’s Included in the Police Report?
When you finally get your hands on the police report, it should give you a clear breakdown of what the responding officer saw and recorded at the scene. This is where the facts start to take shape.
At a minimum, your report should include
- the date
- time
- exact location of the crash.
It will also list the names and contact information for everyone involved, including drivers, passengers, and sometimes witnesses.
But the heart of the report is in the officer’s narrative and diagram. This section describes how the crash happened based on what the officer observed and what people at the scene said. It often includes a sketch showing the positions of the vehicles, points of impact, and roadway conditions. If anyone was cited or arrested for speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence, it’ll be noted there, too.
One of the most important details is the officer’s opinion on who caused the crash. This isn’t the final word on fault, but it can carry a lot of weight with insurance adjusters and in court. If the officer sides with your version of events, it can make your case much stronger.
Most police reports don’t include photos from the scene, body cam footage, or recordings of 911 calls. Those are separate records and need to be requested individually per need. If those details could help your case, like showing how the crash really looked or what the other driver said in the moment, you’ll need to submit separate requests.
And while you’re tracking all that down, timing is critical. The sooner you get your report, the stronger your position.
How Long Do You Have to Get the Report (And Take Action)?
In most cases, accident reports in Arizona are ready within 5 to 14 business days. But depending on the agency and backlog, it can take longer, especially if the crash involved injuries, multiple vehicles, or criminal charges. That’s why it’s worth requesting it as soon as possible. Waiting too long can leave you without the proof you need when it matters most.
From a legal standpoint, the clock starts ticking the day the crash happens. Arizona’s statute of limitations generally gives you two years to file a personal injury claim. That might seem like plenty of time, but delays in getting your report or starting treatment can cut into that fast. If you wait too long to gather the key documents, including the police report, you risk missing your window to recover damages.
And if the accident involved a government vehicle or public employee, your deadline may be much shorter. In those cases, you might have just 180 days to file a formal notice of claim. That’s one reason we always tell clients: the sooner you start the process, the better your outcome is likely to be. Running into roadblocks when trying to get a police report is common.
Common Roadblocks: Why Is It So Hard to Get My Report?
If you’ve tried requesting your accident report and feel like you’re getting nowhere, you’re not imagining it. Arizona’s public records systems, especially in large cities like Phoenix, are often backed up.
One issue we see all the time is misfiled reports or missing report numbers. If the officer at the scene didn’t provide you with a reference number, or if names were misspelled, your request might not match their internal system. And when that happens, you’re left with no update and no refund.
Another common issue is being bounced between agencies. For example, if your crash happened near a highway or freeway entrance, as we’ve mentioned, it may have been handled by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), not Phoenix PD. But unless you know exactly which agency took the report, you can end up stuck in a loop.
To avoid these headaches, call first. Ask which agency handled the crash and what documents or information they need to process your request. And if you’re already dealing with injuries, missed work, or stress from the crash, let the lawyer request the report for you.
But even once you have the report, don’t assume everything in it is correct. Mistakes can happen. That’s why it’s important to review the report as soon as you get it. If something looks off, don’t ignore it. You may have options to correct the record and protect your case.
What If There’s an Error in the Report?
Mistakes happen even in police reports, especially when crashes are chaotic, involve multiple vehicles, or when witnesses give conflicting stories. But even small errors in the report can create big problems for your claim.
We’ve seen it all: names spelled wrong, incorrect dates, wrong vehicles listed, or a misjudgment about who caused the crash. If the officer marks you at fault when you weren’t, that single line can give the insurance company a reason to delay or deny your claim.
The good news is, Arizona law allows you to challenge a report. You can submit a supplemental statement to add facts or clarify what actually happened. If there’s a clear mistake, like the wrong license plate number or the wrong direction of travel, you can formally request a correction through the department’s records unit.
That process can take time, and it doesn’t always lead to a change. But when you have an attorney on your side, they know how to submit the right documentation, back up your version with evidence, and push for the report to reflect the truth.
Still, one of the most common questions we hear is whether you even need the report to move forward, especially when the insurance company is already involved.
Do You Need a Police Report to File an Insurance Claim?
Technically, no, as Arizona law doesn’t require a police report to file a claim. But in practice, not having one can make everything harder. Insurance companies look for any reason to delay, deny, or lowball a payout. If there’s no police report, they’ll often treat your version of the crash as just one side of the story, even if you’re telling the truth.
This is especially risky when the other driver won’t admit fault or gives their insurer a completely different version of events. Without that report backing you up, it can turn into a blame game. And that’s when claims get stuck or quietly dropped.
And if your damages are significant, you’ll want as much proof as possible. The police report helps show that the crash happened the way you said it did, that you weren’t at fault, and that your injuries are connected to the accident.
If you don’t have a report, you can still file. But make sure to document everything else in detail: take photos, gather witness contacts, save your medical records, and call a lawyer who knows how to put the puzzle together without it.
Need Help Getting the Report or Starting a Claim?
If the crash already left you dealing with pain, missed work, or a totaled car, you shouldn’t also have to chase paperwork. We can handle the police report request for you as quickly as possible, accurately, and with minimal runaround. Whether it’s happened in Phoenix or another Arizona city, we know how to navigate their systems and follow up when things stall.
And if you’re hurt, don’t wait to see how the other driver’s insurance “handles it.” Our car accident lawyers start building your case from the beginning: documenting your injuries, protecting your rights, and dealing with the adjusters so you don’t have to. Even if the other driver already gave you a story that doesn’t match what happened, or you’re still waiting on the report, we can help preserve your claim and make sure your side is heard.
You won’t pay us anything up front. We work on a contingency fee, which means we only get paid if you win. No risk, no pressure, just help when you need it most. Whether you’re still waiting for your report, dealing with injuries, or just have questions—let’s talk. Reach out for a free consultation and find out how we can help.