How long does a car accident victim have to contact their insurance company in Arizona?

Yuma, AZ – All drivers are required by the terms of their insurance policy to report a collision shortly after it happens. Due to injuries and property damage, it may not be realistic to contact the provider immediately, but they should be notified within a reasonable amount of time. After filing an insurance claim, the driver may want to file a lawsuit against the person responsible as well if they have been injured or experienced any other financial losses due to the fault of another person or business. 

Reporting the accident within a reasonable time period

Most policies have language that is relatively vague, such as the driver must report the accident within a reasonable time period. While there is no specific time limit in many policies, drivers should still check the terms of their own policy to see if there is a time limit. Arizona law also requires accidents to be reported to the police if there is any kind of property damage or injuries. This is a good idea for the purposes of getting an accident report that may be used as a piece of evidence.  

As a practical matter, the driver should try to report the accident as soon as they can after the collision. If done within a few days, this will start the process for an adjuster to view the damage, and the insurance provider to issue a claim check. If the driver wants to file a lawsuit to help pay for their losses, there are also time limits on when personal injury cases can be filed listed in the state’s statute of limitations. All of these time sensitive matters indicate that it is best to report the accident to an insurance company within the first few days afterward. 

What if the other driver does not contact their provider or they left the scene of the accident?

In situations where the other driver is not available for one reason or another, it is still important for the insurance company to be notified. If there was a crime such as a hit and run, the police should always be contacted at the scene as well. This is the best way for the driver to create a record of the incident, start an investigation, and protect their right to compensation. 

Help after a collision

Schneider and Onofry is a respected accident firm that handles all kinds of injury cases for people who were hurt in Yuma, Arizona. Their attorneys can provide an initial consultation to discuss the process of a lawsuit and related issues. 

Firm contact info:

Schneider & Onofry, P.C.

207 W. 2nd St., Yuma AZ 85364

928-257-4887

soarizonalaw.com