A crash on Broadway, Southern, or the 101 can leave you shaken. The next day goes smoother when you handle a few basics early. Here is our checklist for Tempe, Mesa, and East Valley drivers. It complements our longer guides on insurance and shop choice.
This article is general information for local drivers, not legal advice and not medical advice. If anyone is hurt, get medical help. For legal questions, talk with a licensed Arizona attorney. Your policy and the facts of your claim control coverage.
First-day checklist
Check for injuries and move to safety when you can.
Call 911 for emergencies, injuries, or when a report is needed.
Exchange names, phone numbers, license and plate info, and insurance details.
Take clear photos and short notes before vehicles leave.
Notify your insurer and start the claim.
Choose your body shop and get an estimate.
Ask about a rental if you will be without your car.
What should I do at the scene?
If it is safe, turn on hazard lights and move vehicles out of traffic. On busy Tempe and Mesa roads, a stopped car in a live lane is a hazard of its own.
Check yourself and others. If anyone may be hurt, call 911. Adrenaline can hide soreness that shows up later.
Exchange information with the other driver: name, phone number, driver’s license, plate number, and insurance company and policy number. Get witness contacts if anyone stops. Keep it factual. You do not need to argue fault at the curb.
What photos and notes should I take?
Photos help your insurer and your shop see the damage before anything moves. Capture:
Wide shots of the whole scene
Each vehicle’s damage from several angles
License plates
Road conditions, signs, signals, and skid marks
Your odometer and any dashboard warning lights
Note the time, cross streets, weather, and what happened. Save tow yard info if your car is towed.
When should I call the police or file a report?
Call 911 for injuries, a medical emergency, or a crime in progress.
Arizona law requires a driver in an accident that results in injury or death to give notice immediately to local police (if inside a city), the county sheriff, or the nearest highway patrol office.
For property-damage-only crashes, exchange information and file or request a report when required, when damage is significant, when the other driver will not cooperate, or when your insurer needs a report number. Keep any report number with your claim notes.
Who should I call about insurance?
Call your own insurer as soon as you can, even if you think the other driver is at fault. Many policies ask for prompt notice. Stick to facts and share your photos and report number.
For a fuller claims walk-through, see how to handle insurance after a car accident in Arizona. In Arizona you can choose your own body shop. You do not have to use an insurer’s preferred shop. Details are in Can I choose my own body shop in Arizona?
How do I choose a body shop and get an estimate?
Pick the shop first, then tell your adjuster where to send the inspection. Look for I-CAR training, OEM repair procedures, clear talk on parts and supplements, and a warranty you understand. For a short buyer’s list, see 5 things to know before choosing an auto body shop. If parts quality comes up, read OEM vs. aftermarket parts: what’s best for your car. If the adjuster starts talking total loss, see how to tell if your car is a total loss.
At Harvil Auto Body, we are family-owned in Tempe since 1975 and now in our fourth generation. We are I-CAR certified, follow OEM repair procedures, work with all major insurers, and coordinate approvals and paperwork. Walk-ins are welcome for estimates or request a virtual estimate online. Need a rental? We can arrange one through our partners. Paint and workmanship are backed by our lifetime warranty.
We serve Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and the East Valley. Explore our services or contact us when you are ready.
FAQ
Do I have to call the police for a minor fender bender in Tempe?
If there are injuries, Arizona requires immediate notice to police, the sheriff, or highway patrol. For property damage only, call when required or when you need a report for your claim. When in doubt, ask local non-emergency dispatch.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurer on day one?
Focus first on your own insurer and documentation. If their adjuster calls, stick to facts. Your own insurer can tell you how they prefer you handle those calls.
Can I get an estimate before the adjuster sees the car?
Yes. An estimate from your chosen shop helps everyone see the damage early. Bring the car in or start with a virtual estimate if it is still at home or a tow yard.
What if I cannot drive the car?
Have it towed to a safe place or your shop and ask about a rental. Keep tow and storage receipts.
Need an estimate in Tempe?
We can help with the estimate and the insurance side.
Harvil Auto Body
2338 E Broadway Rd
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 966-7180
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:30 AM–5:30 PM (closed Friday–Sunday)
Walk in for an estimate, request one online, or call us and we will walk you through the next step.