September 11, 2026 | Arizona Law
When a car crashes into a house, store, restaurant, or other building in Arizona, the at-fault driver can be responsible for property damage and injuries. Other parties may also share liability if their conduct contributed to the crash or injuries.
Arizona law requires most motorists to carry at least $15,000 in property damage liability coverage under A.R.S. § 28-4009. That amount can be far less than the cost of repairing a badly damaged home or commercial building.
Who Is Liable When a Car Hits a Building in Arizona?
The driver who negligently loses control and crashes into a building is usually the primary responsible party.
However, liability may also involve:
- The driver’s employer, if the driver was acting within the scope of employment
- Another motorist whose negligence caused the crash
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer if a defect contributed
- A property owner or business whose unsafe premises contributed to an occupant’s injuries
Under A.R.S. § 12-2505, Arizona follows comparative negligence rules that can reduce damages according to a claimant’s percentage of fault.
What Does the Driver’s Insurance Cover After a Building Crash?
The driver’s property damage liability insurance can cover damage to another person’s building and other property up to the policy limit. Arizona’s statutory minimum is $15,000 per accident.
If people inside the building are injured, bodily injury liability coverage may also apply. Arizona’s minimum limits are $25,000 for one injured person and $50,000 for two or more injured people in one accident.
What If People Inside the Building Were Injured?
A person injured inside a building may have a personal injury claim against the negligent driver or another party whose conduct contributed to the injury. Recoverable damages can include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.
When several people or insurance policies are involved, determining liability and available coverage can become more complicated. A building crash may involve both car accident and premises liability issues.
Could the Building Owner Also Be Liable?
A building owner can potentially share liability when an unsafe property condition contributed to someone’s injuries. Arizona businesses owe invitees a duty to make and keep their premises reasonably safe.
A property owner is not automatically liable because a vehicle crashed into the building. Liability depends on whether the owner breached a legal duty and whether that breach contributed to the injury. A claim could involve protective barriers, traffic controls, building design, or known hazardous conditions.
What If the Driver Was Uninsured or Underinsured?
If the driver lacks sufficient insurance, other sources of recovery may need to be investigated. A homeowner’s or commercial property policy may cover certain structural losses, while other applicable policies or responsible parties may provide additional compensation.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is generally designed for bodily injury rather than damage to a building, so the type of loss matters.
What Should You Do If a Car Crashes Into Your Building or You Were Inside?
If a vehicle hits your Phoenix home or business, address immediate safety and medical concerns first. Then document the damage and preserve evidence.
Consider taking these steps:
- Call 911 and report the collision.
- Stay away from unstable structures, broken utilities, and other hazards.
- Seek medical care for any injuries.
- Photograph the vehicle, building damage, roadway, and surrounding area.
- Obtain the driver’s insurance information and police report number.
- Preserve available surveillance footage.
- Notify your insurer, but avoid signing a final settlement before understanding your losses.
- Keep repair estimates, medical records, receipts, and lost-income documentation.
Arizona generally provides two years to bring claims for personal injury and injury to property under A.R.S. § 12-542, although exceptions can affect the deadline.
KRLG Injury Lawyers has more than 100 years of combined experience and has recovered over $250 million for injured clients. An attorney can investigate the crash, identify available insurance coverage, and determine which parties may be legally responsible.
Have Cars Recently Crashed Into Buildings in the Phoenix Metro Area?
Yes. Recent incidents show that vehicles can cause serious damage when they leave Phoenix-area roads.
In July 2025, Phoenix police reported that a driver believed to be speeding lost control near 15th Avenue and Grant Avenue, struck a business, and died after the vehicle and building caught fire.
In January 2025, an SUV crashed into the garage of an Ahwatukee home. Police said the driver was being processed for DUI, and no one inside the home was injured.
These incidents show how a vehicle leaving the roadway can create property damage, injury, and insurance issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Pays for a House if a Car Crashes Into It in Arizona?
The at-fault driver’s property damage liability insurance is generally the first source of payment. Other insurance or responsible parties may apply when losses exceed the driver’s policy limits.
Can I Sue if I Was Inside a Store Hit by a Car?
Yes, if another party’s negligence caused your injuries. Depending on the facts, a claim may exist against the driver, property owner, or another responsible party.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Arizona?
Arizona generally provides two years to file applicable personal injury or property damage lawsuits under A.R.S. § 12-542.
What If the Driver Does Not Have Enough Insurance?
Other insurance policies or liable parties may provide additional sources of recovery. The available options depend on the facts of the crash and the policies involved.
Contact the Phoenix Car Accident Lawyers at KRLG Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
A vehicle crashing into a home or business can cause serious injuries, structural damage, and disputes over liability and insurance coverage. KRLG Injury Lawyers can investigate the collision, review available insurance, and identify parties who may be legally responsible.
For more information, please contact the personal injury attorneys at KRLG Injury Lawyers at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation todaynd learn more about your legal options.
We serve Scottsdale, Phoenix, Maricopa County, & Arizona’s surrounding areas.
KRLG Injury Lawyers
7702 E Doubletree Ranch Rd #150, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(623) 303-5754
