When pursuing a personal injury claim, having the right documents is crucial and will depend on the details of your accident and injuries. This guide will help you understand what documents your attorney might need.
Police Reports. Law enforcement officers who respond to the scene of an accident collect the evidence that is available at the scene and gather witness information. There could be more than one police report depending on whether other agencies respond (i.e., fire department). Sometimes, these reports can lead to other evidence that may need to be gathered.
Importance: Essential for evidence and witness information.
911 Dispatch Calls. 9-1-1 is used to alert authorities that an accident has occurred, providing details and a description of the accident. Recordings and transcripts of the calls can be used in court to show the emotion and words of the caller, who may make statements about his/her involvement (or fault).
Importance: Captures immediate reactions and crucial details of the incident.
Witness Statements. Witnesses are typically people who aren’t involved in the accident and/or connected to either driver involved. As such, these sworn statements tend to be unbiased and independent. They detail what each witness saw and heard. Taking statements as soon after the accident as possible enables you to capture details before they are forgotten which can help experts and reconstructionists determine how the accident occurred.
Importance: Provides unbiased accounts that can aid in accident reconstruction.
Expert Witness reports. Expert witnesses may be used to tell a jury how the accident happened (such as a reconstructionist), and describe your injuries or other aspects of the accident. Typically, they will provide a report of their findings that may be used in your claim.
Importance: Adds credibility and expertise to your claim.
Photos/Video. You want to capture photos or video of anything related to the accident – cars or other vehicles involved, the location, skid marks, debris on the road, and more. Pictures of your injuries at the time of the accident and as you heal document their severity. In addition, your lawyer may want to see what cameras may be located in the area that may have captured the accident.
Importance: Visual evidence that documents the severity and details of the accident.
Questions? Call us at (877) 284-6600.
Past Violations/Accidents/Safety Concerns. If your accident occurred at a business or workplace, other incident reports may exist. In a car accident, this might entail service/maintenance records of the vehicle. In a product liability claim, knowing about safety concerns or other accidents may help show the dangers of a product.
Importance: Highlights any history of negligence or hazards.
Insurance information. This includes documentation of your own insurance information (your provider and policy information) as well as the insurance information of anyone involved in the accident. You also want to provide copies of any correspondence received from insurance companies to your attorney.
Importance: Necessary for processing claims and coverage details.
Victim Statement. A written record of all the details you can remember can be critical to your case.
Importance: Personal recollections can be crucial for the case.
Your Work Information. Your attorney will need documentation of your work history and pay information (pay stubs, W-2s, bonus reports, etc.) for you to be compensated for lost wages and lost earning capacity.
Importance: Needed for compensation for lost wages and earning capacity.
Treatment Log. Document your injuries and treatment plan in a journal or log. This might include your medical and therapy appointments and what was accomplished, how you feel, or how you are progressing.
Importance: Tracks your recovery and supports your injury claims.
Medical/Other Bills. You will need copies of any bill along with an insurance explanation of benefits you receive due to the accident and your injuries. Other bills and expenses may be incurred due to your injuries, for instance, needing a sitter for your children while you go to medical appointments.
Importance: Helps quantify the financial impact of your injuries.
Medical Reports. This would include any reports that pertain to your injuries while under a doctor’s care, such as emergency room records, doctor appointment records, lab reports, x-rays, rehabilitation, etc.
Importance: Medical documentation to support the extent of your injuries.
If you have been seriously injured due to another’s negligence, whether in a motor vehicle accident, a slip and fall, or another incident, in the Kansas City area and across Missouri the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm is here to fight for your rights. We have a proven track record of helping accident victims collect the compensation they deserve.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by calling (877) 284-6600. One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally
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Past results afford no guarantee of future results and each case is different and is judged on its own merits. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 18, 2021. It was reviewed on July 12, 2023, and again on March 11, 2025, and updated for content and accuracy.
