What to keep after a crash
The first week sets up everything that follows. This list is short on purpose: do what you can, and skip the rest.
In the first hours
If you can, take photos of the vehicles, the road and your injuries. Get names and phone numbers from the other drivers and anyone who saw the crash, and ask the police for the report number.
- Photos of the cars, the road and your injuries
- Names and numbers for drivers and witnesses
- The police report number
- The insurance details the other driver shows you
In the first week
See a doctor even if you feel all right. Some injuries show up days later, and a record from the first visit matters. Keep every receipt: prescriptions, parking at the clinic, rides, a rental car.
Write short notes as you go: when pain wakes you, what you can't lift, which days you missed work. A note made that week is more reliable than memory months later.
What to skip
Don't post about the crash or your recovery on social media. Don't sign anything from an insurer you haven't read, and don't guess about fault or injuries when an adjuster calls. It's fine to say, “I'd like to talk to a lawyer first.”
Every situation is different, and deadlines vary. If you're not sure what to do next, call us.