Following is a checklist of information you will need to help support the duration and depth of your personal injury/pain and suffering claim. You can use this checklist to organize your information, information you will ultimately use to discuss your claim with an insurance company or to hand over to an attorney.

The Accident

- Driver information (Obtain and exchange information with all other drivers (Name, license number, tag number, insurance company name, policy number)

- Photographs (Your injuries, damage to all vehicles, scene of the accident)

- Police report (Get a copy of the accident report if police responded)

- Witnesses (Keep a record of all names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses)

After the Accident

- Medical expenses (Log all office visits, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, laboratory services, physical therapy, hospital visits, treatments, medical documents, and x-rays, including names, dates of visits, amount charged, and reasons for seeing the medical providers.)

- Lost work time (Keep a log of all time taken off from work as a result of the accident, including time off for medical treatments and/or the inability to function properly at work due to your injuries. Get a letter from your employer verifying pay and lost time.)

- Lost school time (Document all lost school time and/or inability to continue with school work as you did before the accident.)

- Photographs (Continue to take photographs of your injuries at different times after the accident. Write the date on the back of the photo.)

- Witnesses (Contact them for a written statement before too much time lapses)

- Pain, discomfort, emotional distress, fatigue, tenderness, inconvenience, etc. (Keep a daily log of your thoughts, feelings and experiences on a day-to-day basis, documenting how the injuries have interfered with your daily life and relationships.)

- Car repair estimates and/or bills

- Out of pocket expenses (Keep records/receipts of everything you’ve paid for out-of-pocket relating to or as a result of injuries suffered in the accident. For example, heating pads, ace bandages, child-care expenses, cancellation of a vacation trip or event, clothing, taxi service or rental car, etc.)

What You Need to Know:

• Seek medical attention immediately after an accident!
• Do not admit fault immediately after the accident.
• Diligently follow through with all medical treatments.
• Do not answer any questions from the other side’s insurance company or attorney or sign any forms without approval from your attorney.
• Do not settle your case until all necessary medical expenses, present and future, are known.
• Keep copies of everything (all documents, bills, medical records, etc.).

Resources:

Free Advice Auto Insurance Center: Articles, FAQs, free quotes and research links.

Free Advice Auto Accident Law: Articles and FAQs about auto accidents and the law.