What to do after a car accident in Phoenix

First hour: at the scene

1. Move out of traffic if the car drives and it's safe. Hazards on.
2. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the cars can't move. Phoenix PD will file a report for injury crashes; for minor ones you can file online later.
3. Photos of everything: all four corners of both cars, close-ups of damage, license plates, the other driver's insurance card and license, skid marks, the intersection. More is better — the adjuster sees none of this in person.
4. Don't say "I'm fine" or "my fault." Just exchange information.

First 48 hours: the claim

Call your insurer (or the at-fault driver's) and open a claim. You'll get a claim number and an adjuster. The adjuster will offer to "send you to one of our shops." You can say no.

What a collision estimate actually covers

A real estimate is not one number. Ours is itemized so your adjuster can approve it line by line:

• Body labor — pulling, straightening, panel replacement.
• Paint & materials — prep, primer, base, clear, blending into adjacent panels so the repair is invisible.
• Parts — OEM vs. aftermarket, with prices. You get to see which is which.
• Hidden damage allowance — bumpers hide a lot. We note what we can't see until teardown so there are no surprise supplements later.
• Mechanical — if the AC condenser, radiator, or suspension took the hit, it's on the same sheet. Body and mechanical under one roof means one estimate, one shop, one timeline.

How long does collision repair take?

Bumper scuff with paint: 2–3 days. Door or fender replacement with blend: 4–6 days. Structural damage: 1–3 weeks, mostly waiting on parts and adjuster approval. We text you at each step — teardown, approval, paint, reassembly — so you're never guessing.

Should you use insurance for a small hit?

If the repair is under or near your deductible, paying cash is usually smarter — no claim on your record. Send us photos, we'll give you both numbers, and you decide.

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