Arizona Drunk Driver Accident Claim Checklist
A DUI arrest can make an injury claim look obvious from the outside. It is not that simple. The criminal case and the civil injury claim run on different tracks. The police may investigate impairment under ARS 28-1381, while the injured person still needs medical proof, insurance analysis, and evidence tying the crash to the injuries.
This checklist helps Arizona crash victims organize the civil side of a drunk-driver crash.
What to collect
- Police report number, arresting agency, crash report, citation information, and any victim notification documents.
- Photos, videos, witness names, vehicle damage, road conditions, and the location of the vehicles after impact.
- Emergency room records, imaging, diagnosis notes, prescriptions, physical therapy referrals, and work restrictions.
- Insurance information for the drunk driver, your own UM/UIM coverage, medical payments coverage, and any umbrella coverage.
- Letters from insurers asking for recorded statements, medical authorizations, property releases, or early settlement paperwork.
The DUI case does not finish the injury claim
A conviction, plea, or citation may help explain what happened. It does not calculate medical bills, lost income, future care, pain, scarring, or coverage limits. It also does not stop the insurer from arguing about injury causation, prior conditions, or the amount of damages.
If the drunk driver has low coverage or no coverage, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may matter. Review your policy before accepting a small settlement that closes the claim.
FAQs
Does a DUI arrest mean my Arizona injury claim is automatic?
No. A DUI arrest may help prove fault, but the injury claim still needs medical proof, damages evidence, and insurance coverage analysis.
Should I talk to the drunk driver’s insurer?
You can report the crash, but be careful with recorded statements, broad medical authorizations, and releases. Those documents can affect the civil claim.
