Most people don’t learn how car insurance works until they’re already in a wreck — and by then, the wrong assumptions can be expensive.
One of the most common misconceptions? That Arizona is a no-fault state.
It’s not.
Arizona follows a fault-based system, which means the driver who caused the crash is financially responsible. This affects everything — from how claims are handled to whether you can recover money for your injuries. If you're still unclear about how this works, this breakdown on crash liability in Arizona is a must-read.
What’s the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?
In a no-fault state like Michigan or New Jersey, your own insurance typically pays for your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. But in Arizona, fault must be proven before you can collect damages from the other driver’s insurance. That includes:
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Medical bills
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Vehicle repairs
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Pain and suffering
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Lost wages
And unless you have Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, your own insurer isn’t obligated to cover your injuries. This leads many drivers to face big out-of-pocket bills, only to find out they misunderstood the system.
This fault explainer dives into how Arizona law assigns blame — and what you need to prove to get compensated.
Fault Isn’t Always Clear-Cut
In Arizona, determining who’s at fault is rarely black-and-white. The state follows a pure comparative negligence model, which means each party’s percentage of fault reduces their financial recovery. If you’re 30% at fault, you only recover 70% of your total damages.
This opens the door for insurance companies to shift partial blame onto you — even when the other driver clearly caused the crash.
To make matters worse, some insurance adjusters may take advantage of your misunderstanding of fault laws. That’s why having clear, factual resources like this guide to Arizona crash fault helps level the playing field.
Arizona Isn’t Hiding the Rules — But Most Drivers Never Read Them
Arizona law doesn’t hide this information. The Arizona Department of Transportation and other state agencies outline these rules in formal legal language. But let’s face it: most people don’t read their policy. And even fewer read legal codes until it’s too late.
Don’t wait until you’re injured and frustrated to learn that Arizona isn’t a no-fault state. Knowing how liability works before an accident is the best way to protect yourself financially.
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