Personal Injury Auto Accident

It’s very difficult to keep a cool head after an auto accident. Gathering evidence, talking to witnesses on the scene, taking photographs and taking down important information is the last thing you want to deal with following a jarring and perhaps traumatic event. However, if you want to make sure you are protected and ultimately compensated for your personal and property damage, you will need to have a good record of the events surrounding the accident.

Following is an example of the information you will need to help support your personal injury/pain and suffering claim. You can use this list to better organize the information needed for discussions with your insurance company and a personal injury attorney.

- Driver Information: Exchange information with all other drivers. This includes their names, driving license numbers, license plate tag numbers, insurance company names and their policy number.

- Photographs: Document your physical injuries, damage to all vehicles and the scene of the accident with photo images. Remember to photograph the license plates of each car involved in the accident. Don’t forget that many of today’s cell phones have photo taking capabilities.

- Draw a Diagram of the Truck Accident Scene: Write the date and time of the car accident on the diagram. In addition, write down information about the location, including the intersection, street names, any stop lights or traffic control signs, and other landmarks.

- Police Report: Call the police and report the auto accident as soon as possible. You will need a copy of the accident report if there was a police response to the car accident.

- Witnesses: Attempt to get a record of all names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses or people who witnesses the car or truck accident.

- Medical Expenses: Keep a record or all doctor office visits, medication (over the counter medications & prescriptions), tests and laboratory services, physical therapy, hospital visits, medical treatments and documents, diagnostic services including all types of x-rays and scans. Be sure to include names or doctors, dates of visits, amount charged, and the reasons for seeing the medical providers.



- Keep Evidence of Injury: Save all medication containers, arm and leg braces, casts, and any other medical equipment prescribed by your Doctor.

- 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. Make sure to include location of school, class names and schedule of classes.

- After Accident Photographs: You should continue to take photographs of your injuries at different times after the accident. Include the date on the back of the photo.

- Witnesses: Contact them for a written statement before too much time lapses.

- Diary: Try to maintain a log of your thoughts, feelings and experiences on a day-to-day basis. You should document how the injuries have interfered with your daily life and relationships.

- Car repair estimates and/or bills: Keep a record of all expenses and estimates of repair for your damaged vehicle. This includes temporary replacement transportation like the cost of a car rental.

- Out of pocket expenses: Keep all receipts related to your injury that you have paid for “out-of-pocket”. These expenses could include, heating pads, ace bandages, child-care expenses, cancellation of a vacation trip or event, clothing, etc.

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, attorney or sign any forms without consulting your own legal advisor. 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.).

Finally, contact a lawyer. It is very important when dealing with insurance companies, that you have a qualified lawyer on your side to negotiate the best financial settlement for you and your family. If you were severely injured in the car accident due to the negligence of the other driver or drivers, hiring a lawyer is in your best interest to protect your rights and ensure that your family is fairly compensated for your financial losses, pain and suffering.