Arizona Drunk Driver Accident Claim Checklist

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.

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 drunk driving arrest mean my Arizona injury claim is automatic?

No. A drunk-driving 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.