What Information To Save After A Crash: The Complete List
A printable checklist of every detail worth saving, from the moment of impact through the weeks that follow.
Use this list as a reference in the days and weeks after your accident. The more complete your records, the smoother every conversation that follows, with doctors, insurers, employers, and attorneys.
At the scene • Date, time, exact location (intersection, mile marker, GPS pin) • Weather, lighting, road surface conditions • Direction of travel for each vehicle • Speed estimates and traffic signal status • Other driver(s): name, address, phone, email, license number, plate, insurance carrier and policy number • Witness names and phone numbers • Responding officer's name, badge number, and report number • Photos and short video walk-around
Within 72 hours • Police report (request from the responding agency) • Initial medical evaluation notes • Notification to your insurance company (keep claim number) • A written summary of what happened, while memory is fresh
Ongoing • Every medical bill, receipt, and EOB • Mileage to appointments • Pay stubs and employer documentation of missed work • Daily symptom journal • All written and recorded communication with insurers • Estimates and invoices for vehicle repair or replacement
Keep everything in one folder. If you ever speak with an attorney, this folder will save hours of work and strengthen every conversation.
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