Key Documents to Share with Your Arizona Car Accident Lawyers

The dust settles. The adrenaline fades. Your hands are shaking, the bumper’s crumpled, and somewhere in your glovebox is a growing pile of paperwork you’re not quite sure what to do with.

Now what?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Arizona, and you’re considering legal representation (smart move, by the way), the first thing your lawyer will need—after you walk in the door—is documentation. Think of it like puzzle pieces. The more pieces you give your attorney, the clearer the picture becomes.

Here’s a breakdown of the key documents to share with your Arizona car accident lawyers to help them build a case that actually sticks.

1. The Police Report (aka The Official Storyline)

If law enforcement showed up at the scene, you likely have a police report—or at least the report number.

This document is gold. It contains details like:

• Time and location of the crash

• Names of all parties involved

• Preliminary fault assessment

• Witness names and statements

• Diagrams or notes about the scene

Your Arizona car accident lawyer will use this report as a foundation. It’s not the final word on liability—but it sets the tone. If the officer noted the other driver was speeding or impaired? That’s fuel for your claim.

2. Photos and Videos (The Stuff No One Can Argue With)

You know those phone pics you took at the scene? Don’t delete them.

Send everything—no matter how grainy, how “boring,” or how many duplicates there are. Lawyers aren’t looking for perfect angles. They want real context:

• Skid marks

• Weather conditions

• Traffic lights or signs

• Vehicle damage (yours and theirs)

• Injuries (however minor they looked at the time)

Video footage—especially from dash cams or nearby surveillance—is even better. If it exists, get it.

3. Medical Records (A Timeline of Your Pain)

This one’s big. You’re not just building a case around property damage—you’re showing how the accident affected your body and life.

Bring in:

• ER or urgent care visit summaries

• Doctor’s notes and diagnosis

• X-rays, MRIs, or imaging reports

• Treatment plans and referrals

• Physical therapy notes

• Prescriptions and pain management documents

Bonus: a journal or notes you’ve kept about your recovery, pain levels, or how the injury disrupted your routine. These human details help your attorney push for fair compensation—not just clinical reimbursement.

4. Insurance Correspondence (A Paper Trail Worth Reading)

All those emails, voicemails, and printed letters from your insurance company? Yep, they matter. Same goes for anything the other driver’s insurer has sent you.

Your Arizona car accident lawyer needs to see:

• Your auto insurance policy (including coverage limits)

• Any letters denying or approving coverage

• Communications about repairs or payouts

• Recorded statements (or pressure to make one)

Pro tip: Don’t offer any more to insurers until your attorney has reviewed everything. It’s easier to prevent damage than to undo it.

5. Repair Estimates and Vehicle Appraisal (Because Cars Aren’t Cheap)

Whether your car was totaled or just scratched up, provide:

• Repair shop estimates (multiple, if possible)

• Appraisals from your insurer

• Receipts for repairs or rentals

• Towing and storage fees

These documents help calculate your property damages—something often underestimated in early settlement offers.

6. Proof of Lost Wages (The Hidden Cost of Recovery)

Can’t work because of your injuries? Or maybe you missed a week because of pain or follow-up appointments?

Your lawyer needs:

• Recent pay stubs or tax records

• A letter from your employer confirming missed time

• Any disability claims or documentation

This helps quantify how much the crash cost you financially—not just physically.

7. Witness Information (Other Voices That Support Yours)

Did someone at the scene give you their info? A neighbor who saw it happen? Pass it along.

Even if police already interviewed them, your lawyer may want to follow up directly—especially if the case ends up in court.

Why This All Matters

Arizona’s comparative negligence system means compensation can be reduced based on your share of fault. The clearer your documents show what happened, how you were harmed, and who’s to blame, the harder it is for insurance companies to lowball or delay.

The right documents make your case real, not theoretical. They turn your story into strategy.

A Final Thought: Don’t Guess—Ask

Not sure if something’s relevant? Don’t filter yourself. Bring the receipt, the voicemail, the scribbled note from the ER nurse. Let your lawyer decide what moves the needle.

Need someone who knows exactly how to work the system in your favor?

Because the right documentation, in the right hands, can mean the difference between a weak claim—and a winning case.