The Hidden Costs After a Car Accident: What Most Arizona Drivers Miss
You got your car repaired, the bills are paid, and you’re ready to move on, but what if you’re still owed money? Every week, Arizona drivers miss out on claims they didn’t even know existed.
At CrashCare Support, we’ve helped hundreds of accident victims uncover these hidden claims, sometimes worth thousands of dollars.
Insurance companies don’t lie, but they also don’t volunteer what you don’t ask for.
Diminished Value in Arizona: Your Car is Worth Less After a Car Crash
Even with perfect repairs, your car’s resale value drops. Arizona law allows you to claim that loss, but only if you know what diminished value experts to use and how to ask for it.
In Arizona, diminished value claims are not automatic. Insurance companies rarely mention them unless prompted, and even then, many undervalue them.
Diminished value applies when:
Your vehicle had no prior accident history
The damage is listed on services like Carfax
A buyer would pay less for your car simply because it was in a crash
Many drivers assume this only applies to luxury vehicles. In reality, late-model daily drivers are often the most affected.
Learn more about the types of claims most people miss in our Arizona Accident Claims Guide →
Your car didn’t just get repaired, it got a permanent accident record.
Loss of Use: The Time You Lost After a Car Accident Matters Too
If your car is in the shop for weeks, you can claim the cost of rental cars or alternative transportation. It’s not automatic, you must request it.
What Most Arizona Drivers Don’t Realize
Loss of use doesn’t always mean a rental car receipt.
You may still qualify even if:
You borrowed a car from a friend or family member
You delayed repairs due to insurance disputes
You didn’t realize a rental was an option
Insurance companies often frame loss of use as a “courtesy,” not a right. In Arizona, it’s a legitimate claim when properly documented.
“We regularly see people walk away from money they were entitled to, not because they didn’t deserve it, but because no one told them to ask.”
Other Commonly Missed Arizona Car Crash Claims
Many accident-related losses don’t show up on the first insurance estimate. Not all accident-related losses are physical or immediately visible. In Arizona, claims may involve financial, emotional, and functional impacts that don’t appear on the initial insurance estimate but can still affect recovery when properly documented.
Accident-Related Losses That May Matter Beyond Vehicle Repairs
Property Damage: Property damage after a car accident often extends beyond the vehicle itself. Phones, laptops, child car seats, tools, mobility aids, and other personal items inside the car can be damaged or destroyed. These losses are frequently missed because they’re not included in standard repair estimates, but they may still be worth documenting and reviewing.
Missed Work: Missed work can include lost wages, reduced hours, or unpaid time off for medical appointments and recovery. Even short absences can add up, especially for hourly workers or those with limited sick leave. When work disruptions are documented, they’re often worth evaluating as part of the overall impact of the accident.
Emotional Distress: Anxiety, sleep disruption, or trauma symptoms following a crash can matter especially when they affect your daily functioning and are documented early by the appropriate provider. These effects are often overlooked because they don’t show up on an X-ray, but that doesn’t mean they’re irrelevant.
If you’ve experienced ongoing anxiety, difficulty driving, panic responses, or sleep disruption after an accident, this blog post might help. How to Handle Anxiety After a Car Accident →
Loss of Business or Earning Capacity: For self-employed individuals and business owners, an accident can disrupt more than just a work schedule. Reduced productivity, missed opportunities, hiring temporary help, or stepping away from day-to-day operations can all create measurable losses. These impacts aren’t automatic claims, but when they’re clearly documented, they’re often worth evaluating.
If something after the accident disrupted your ability to work, function, or operate your business, it’s worth asking whether that impact should be reviewed before assuming it doesn’t count.
Why These Accident-Related Losses Are Overlooked in Arizona
Most Arizona drivers assume insurance will “handle everything.” In reality:
Adjusters focus on closing files quickly
Claims outside the obvious repair bill require additional specific filing
Once a claim is settled, reopening it is not an option
This doesn’t mean insurance is acting illegally, it means you’re expected to know what to ask for.
That’s where guidance matters.
FAQS ABOUT HIDDEN COSTS AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
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Absolutely not. An adjuster’s number one job is to save the insurance company money. They are required to pay valid claims, but not to educate you on what exists.
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Yes, as long as you have the justification, are within the statute of limitations and have not signed a settlement with the insurance company. Some claims can still be submitted weeks or months later.
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Often, yes. Even modest vehicles can lose thousands in resale value after a documented crash. You can learn more by reviewing our 28 Types of Personal Injury Claims in Arizona guide.
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Not always. Some claims can be handled without legal representation, but never assume you don’t need one. We can help you decide when it’s worth consulting an attorney. Schedule a free call here.
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Start by contacting our nonprofit team. We can help you understand your next steps. Contact CrashCare Support →