Records That You Should Keep After A Car Accident
Monday, November 4th, 2019
In the moments after a car accident, you are probably not thinking about filing a claim. But, if you are injured, you will likely want to do this later. There are many documents and records that you need to keep that you will get in the days, weeks, and months after your wreck. These will show that you were injured by another person’s negligence.
Documents from the accident
The first document that you should have is the police report from the accident. If you were able to give a statement when they arrived on the scene, the report will have that information. If you had to give it days later, you should still be able to get the report. Here are some other vital pieces of information you can find in the police report.
- Witness statements
- Witness contact information
- Contact information from the other driver
- Statements from the responders
- Basic information about the car accident like the date and weather conditions
Other documents you will need to get from the accident include pictures from the damage done to vehicles and injury pictures. It may be beneficial for you to keep a journal with your soonest recollections of the wreck as well as your pain progression.
Medical records
These documents can include a lot of information, especially if you were severely injured. If you only visited a hospital or your doctor to make sure you weren’t injured, you still need to keep the records of the visit. The following are just some of the most common pieces of information in your medical records. Keep in mind that you may need to request some of these from the billing or records departments.
- Diagnoses
- Treatments
- Surgical procedures
- Physician comments and recommendations
- Medications
- Emergency services rendered
All medical records should be organized and stored in one place. This will help you (and your personal injury attorney) keep track of everything while you heal.
Employment and wage records
Many car accident victims miss work and lose out on wages that could help them pay for medical bills. If your wreck resulted in you missing work, you should keep all the necessary records of this. Documents you need include those showing your normal hours and wages and the approximate value of wages lost due to your injuries and recovery. Check stubs, tax returns, doctors’ notes, a letter from your employer, and correspondence with your employer about missed work are all important records.
Other types of records
You may have documents related to your car accident that don’t fit in the above categories. This could include correspondence with insurance companies and with attorneys as well as forms. Be sure to keep these records in case they are needed.
Working with a personal injury attorney after your car accident
It is important to work with an attorney who has the knowledge, skill, and experience to get you the compensation you deserve. Attorney Dean Boyd and his Team understand the intricacies of car wreck claims. You can reach us at (806) 242-3333 or Send Us an email for more information about our Car Accident Services. You can also speak with us in person by visiting 4423 SW 45th Ave in Amarillo, Texas or 10623 Quaker Ave #102 in Lubbock, Texas.