By Serdar Arslan, editor · Last reviewed · 8 min read · How we research
Skid marks fade, a tow truck sweeps the glass into the gutter, and the gas station on the corner records over its camera footage. Most of the proof from a crash is gone within a few days unless someone saves it. Other evidence, like medical records and repair bills, piles up slowly over weeks. Both kinds are what turn your memory of the crash into a claim an insurer, a judge, or a jury can rely on.
This checklist covers what to collect at the scene, in the following days, and throughout your claim. You won't always be able to get everything, especially if you're hurt. Do what you safely can, and ask a family member or friend to help.
Why evidence matters
Almost every claim comes down to the same questions:
- Who was at fault? This affects whether and how much you can recover, especially under comparative fault rules.
- What did it cost you? Bills, records, and logs show the real number.
- Did the crash cause those losses? A clear timeline links your injuries and damage to the crash.
Part 1: At the scene
Only collect evidence when it's safe. If anyone is hurt, call 911 first.
Information to exchange
The Maryland Insurance Administration and the NAIC recommend collecting:
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all drivers and passengers
- Each driver's insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate for every vehicle
- The insurance agent or producer name, if listed on the card
The NAIC notes that in most cases you only need to share your name and insurance information. Giving out more, like your home address or license number, may expose you to identity fraud.
Police information
- Responding officer's name and badge number
- Police department or agency
- Report or incident number
- How and when to get a copy of the report
If police don't come to the scene, the NAIC suggests filing an incident report yourself afterward. See how to get a police accident report.
Photos and video
Take more than you think you need. Phone storage is cheap; a second trip to the scene is not. The Maryland Insurance Administration notes that photos with a date and time stamp add useful verification. Capture:
- All vehicles from several angles, close up and from a distance
- License plates
- Damage to each vehicle
- Final resting positions of vehicles, if safe before moving them
- Skid marks, debris, fluid spills
- Traffic lights, stop signs, lane markings, and speed limit signs
- Road conditions (potholes, construction, ice, water)
- Weather and lighting
- Visible injuries
- The other driver's insurance card and license plate (with permission)
A short video walking around the scene can capture details you miss in photos.
Witnesses
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses
- A quick note of what each witness saw
- Whether they're willing to be contacted later
Witnesses tend to drift off once the police arrive. A phone number matters more than a long conversation.
Your own notes
- Date, time, and exact location (cross streets, mile marker)
- Direction each vehicle was traveling
- What you saw and heard just before the crash
- Anything the other driver said (for example, an apology or an admission)
The NAIC offers a free app and printable checklist called WreckCheck to help record these details.
Part 2: The first few days
Medical records
- ER, urgent care, or doctor visit records
- Diagnoses and treatment plans
- Imaging results (X-rays, MRI, CT)
- Prescriptions
- Referrals to specialists or physical therapy
A visit within a day or two creates a record tying your injuries to the crash. Whiplash and similar injuries sometimes don't hurt until the next morning, or later. See whiplash and soft tissue injuries.
Video footage
- Ask nearby businesses, homes, or buses about security or dash camera footage
- Save your own dash cam footage
- Ask whether traffic cameras exist at the intersection
Many systems overwrite footage within days. Ask in person, then follow up in writing so there's a record of the request.
Your written account
- Write a detailed account of the crash while your memory is fresh
- Draw a simple diagram showing lanes, vehicles, and direction of travel
Part 3: Throughout your claim
Insurance communication log
The NAIC recommends keeping notes of every conversation with insurers, adjusters, and repair shops, including the name and contact information of each person you speak with.
| Date | Who you talked to | Company | What was said | Follow-up needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Also keep:
- Claim numbers for every insurer
- All letters and emails from insurers
- Any written explanation of a decision or offer
See dealing with insurance adjusters.
Vehicle and property records
- Repair estimates (yours and the insurer's)
- Supplements for hidden damage
- Final repair invoice
- Total loss valuation report, if the car was totaled
- Comparable vehicle listings or dealer quotes, if you disputed the value (the Texas Department of Insurance suggests gathering these)
- Receipts for recent upgrades or new parts
- Rental car or ride receipts
- Photos and receipts for damaged personal items
- Appraisal for diminished value, if applicable
See property damage and total loss claims.
Financial losses
- Medical bills and explanation of benefits (EOB) statements
- Pharmacy receipts
- Mileage and parking for medical appointments
- Pay stubs or a letter from your employer showing missed work and lost pay
- Records of used sick or vacation days
- Receipts for help you had to hire (childcare, house cleaning, yard work)
Daily-life impact
- A pain and symptom journal
- Notes on activities you couldn't do
- Photos of injuries as they heal
- Statements from family or friends about changes they noticed
This evidence supports a claim for pain and suffering damages.
How to organize your crash file
One place for everything, paper or digital. Numbered folders like these keep it simple:
| Folder | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| 01 Scene | Photos, video, diagram, your written account |
| 02 Police | Report, officer details |
| 03 Other parties | Driver, owner, witness, insurance information |
| 04 Medical | Records, bills, EOBs, prescriptions |
| 05 Vehicle | Estimates, invoices, valuations, rental receipts |
| 06 Income | Pay stubs, employer letters, time-off records |
| 07 Insurance | Claim numbers, letters, emails, call log |
| 08 Journal | Pain log, daily impact notes |
Back up digital files in a second place. Keep originals and give out copies.
What not to do
- Don't post about the crash on social media. Photos and comments can be taken out of context.
- Don't throw away damaged items until the claim is resolved.
- Don't let the car be scrapped before it's been documented, especially if fault is disputed or a defect may be involved.
- Don't alter or edit photos. Keep the original files with their date and time data.
If you only do six things
- Grab what you safely can at the scene; much of it won't be there tomorrow.
- Photos, witness phone numbers, and the police report number come first.
- See a doctor promptly and keep every record and bill.
- Write down every call with an insurer, and save every letter and email.
- Track lost pay, out-of-pocket costs, and how the injury changes your days.
- Keep one organized crash file, with a backup.