Mesa Crash Reports

In the aftermath of a car accident in Arizona, you might find it necessary to secure a copy of the police report for insurance purposes, legal matters, or your own records. The way to acquire this report is based on the law enforcement body that documented the incident. Should your accident have been on a state highway or interstate and attended to by a DPS trooper, the collision report can be obtained from the Arizona Department of Public Safety's Department Records Unit1. There's a standard procedure requiring you to complete a form and remit a $9 fee for the majority of these reports. This same unit also facilitates requests for related photos, citations, warnings, or repair orders. For accidents on city or county roads that were overseen by local police or sheriff’s deputies, you'll need to liaise directly with the appropriate law enforcement office. Taking Mesa as an instance, if your accident took place there, the Mesa Police Department can furnish you with the necessary police report. They'll ask for details like the case number, the accident's date and place, and names of involved individuals. Their website also supports online report requests. Fees are $5.00 per report.

In Arizona, accident reports are typically accessible to the public. However, they may be restricted if they're related to an active investigation or hold sensitive details. As per Arizona Revised Statute §28-667, the public has the right to view or obtain copies of these reports, but only for non-business reasons. The law specifically forbids using accident reports for commercial outreach. Therefore, it's not permitted to use an accident report to promote products or services to those implicated in the accident.

If you are involved in a car accident in Arizona, you should follow these steps to protect your rights and safety:

1. Stay Safe: After the accident, if it's safe, move your car out of traffic. Stay at the accident site until you've talked to everyone and the police.
2. Check for Injuries: Make sure you and others are okay. If anyone is hurt, call 911. If you can, offer help.
Inform the Police: Always report the accident. If it happened on a main road, call DPS at (602) 223-2000. For local roads, contact the nearby police or sheriff.
3. Share Details: Kindly exchange names, contact details, driver's license numbers, and insurance info with all drivers. Remember to note down details about the cars like their make, model, color, and any damages.
4. Document the Scene: If you have a phone, take pictures or videos of the accident site, cars, and any injuries. This will be helpful later on.
5. Reach Out to Your Insurance: Let your insurance company know about the accident. Always follow their advice, but it's a good idea not to admit any blame or settle without talking to a lawyer.
6. Take Care of Your Health: Even if you feel okay, see a doctor. Keep all medical records, bills, and medicine details. This can help you if you need to claim for your injuries later.
7. Consider Legal Help: If you're unsure about anything or need assistance, reach out to a personal injury lawyer. They can guide you, especially when dealing with insurance or if you need to go to court.

Here's what you can expect regarding the availability of your Arizona accident report:

1. Wait Time: After an accident in Arizona, there's a waiting period before your report is ready. Typically, if DPS troopers looked into your accident, they might take about 14 days to send their reports to their Records Unit. Local police or sheriff's offices might take a bit longer due to their specific schedules and rules.

2. Check the Status: If you're anxious about the status of your report, you can always call the law enforcement office that was at your accident. For instance, if your accident was in Mesa, give a ring to the Mesa Police Department Records Section at (480) 644-2316. They'll ask for some details like when and where the accident happened, who was involved, and the case number.

3. Getting the Report: Once the report is ready, the law enforcement agency will guide you on how to get a copy.

Remember, it's important to be patient during this time, and always ask if you're unsure about something.