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    Accident Evidence Checklist

    What proof should I save after an accident? Build a checklist of photos, records, and bills to keep your claim organized.

    Free · No account needed · Private · About 3 minutes

    Accident Evidence Checklist illustration

    How it works

    1. 1

      Tell us what happened

      The type of accident and about when it happened.

    2. 2

      Check what you have

      Photos, witnesses, a report, a doctor visit, an insurance claim and more.

    3. 3

      Get your evidence pack

      A checklist grouped by type, with how to get each item.

    What you get

    • A checklist of medical records and itemized bills to request
    • Lists for expenses, missed work, insurance and proof of what happened
    • Tips on how to get each item
    • A simple timeline to log symptoms, visits and events

    What this tool does

    • • Builds a list based on the type of accident
    • • Shows where each record usually comes from
    • • Flags payers who may want to be paid back, like health insurance

    What this tool does not do

    • • Does not collect records for you
    • • Does not send anything to an insurer or court
    • • Does not give legal advice

    What proof should I save after an accident?

    The proof you save after an accident helps show what happened, how you were hurt and what it cost you. Medical records and itemized bills show your injuries and care. Photos, a police or incident report and witness contact details help show what happened.

    Keep track of money, too: receipts, mileage to appointments and proof of missed work, like pay stubs and an attendance record. For car crashes, find your insurance declarations page and claim number.

    You generally have the right to get copies of your own medical records from your providers. Start early, because some records take time to arrive.

    Common questions

    The proof you should save after an accident includes medical records, itemized bills, photos of the scene and your injuries, a police or incident report and witness contact details. Also save receipts, mileage to appointments and proof of missed work. This checklist groups these items for your type of accident.

    To get your medical records, ask each hospital, doctor or clinic that treated you. Many have an online patient portal. Others use a request form. Under federal HIPAA rules, you generally have the right to a copy of your own records, though a fee may apply.

    You need itemized medical bills because they list each service and its cost, not just a total. That makes it easier to show what your care cost. You can usually get one by calling the billing office and asking for an itemized statement.

    To get a police or incident report, contact the police department or agency that responded, or the store or property owner for an incident report. Have the date, place and report number ready. Some agencies charge a small fee or take a few days.

    After an accident, photograph the scene, any damage and your visible injuries. Take wide shots and close-ups. Keep taking photos of injuries as they heal or change over time. Photograph vehicle damage from all sides before repairs.

    To prove missed work after an injury, ask your employer or HR for an attendance record and a pay stub or wage letter. Keep your own log of missed hours and appointments. If you are self-employed, keep records of lost jobs and past income.

    The payers who might want to be paid back from your settlement include your health insurer, Medicare, Medicaid and workers' compensation. If they paid for injury care, they may have a claim, called a lien. Keep records of who paid for each bill.

    Yes, this accident evidence checklist is free, and you do not need an account. It takes about three minutes. You can save or print your list and check items off as you gather them. It is an educational tool, not legal advice.

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    Words to know

    Last reviewed September 26, 2026. For general information only, not legal or medical advice.

    Sources: HHS: Your right to get your medical records (HIPAA) · CMS: Medicare recovery when you get a settlement · CFPB: Medical bills and debt collection · U.S. Department of Labor: State workers' compensation officials

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