How to document a car accident without becoming an investigator.

Useful photos at the scene

Only if you can do so without exposing yourself to traffic or another danger, try to capture both the overall scene and specific details.

• Damage to each vehicle from several angles.
• License plates and identifiable vehicle details.
• General position of vehicles.
• Relevant signs, signals or lane markings.
• Visible road conditions.
• Damaged objects and detached vehicle parts.

Details worth writing down

• Names and contact information for involved drivers.
• Insurance information exchanged.
• Vehicle make, model and license plate.
• Witness names and contact information.
• Date, time and location.
• Police agency and report or incident number.

Create one accident folder

After a crash, documents start arriving from different places. A physical or digital folder helps keep the information together.

• Police report.
• Photos and videos.
• Medical records and receipts.
• Repair estimates or invoices.
• Insurance information.
• Emails, letters and messages related to the crash.
• Notes from important calls: date, person and purpose.

Do not edit or discard information too quickly

Keep original files when possible. If you make copies or notes, preserve the source material too. You do not need to decide on your own what will later have legal significance.

Once you have the basics, we can help organize them

The folder does not need to be complete. We can review what you have and help identify what may be missing before coordinating the next stage.