What Documents Do I Need for My Car Accident Claim? 

Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic event. You can be physically injured and mentally shaken up. Unfortunately, the car accident claims process can’t wait until you get your life back on track. Coping with your injuries and the stress of navigating an accident claim can be stressful and challenging.

Thankfully, the Texas car accident lawyers with Portner Bond, PLLC can help. One of the most important aspects of the claims process is getting the correct paperwork in order and providing it to your insurer. We want to help you streamline the process by making sure you know what documents you need and where to find them.

 Documents You Need for a Car Accident Claim

Most accident victims don’t realize that there is a lot of paperwork involved after an accident. The proper documentation is crucial because it helps the claims process proceed more smoothly. It also provides an insurer with the information and evidence they need to make a fair assessment as to the value of your claim. Omitting a key piece of information can quickly derail your claim and could make you miss out on valuable compensation.

Here are some of the vital documents you will need to gather for your car accident claim: 

Police Report. A police report can be a helpful document to include in your accident claim. A police report will typically have vital information about the accident, including the time, date, location, and potentially how the accident may have been caused. If you had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance and didn’t have the opportunity to get it yourself, the police report may also have the other driver’s insurance information on it. 

Notes from the Scene. If you are able, it is helpful to take your notes about the accident while the details are fresh in your mind. Your notes can include:

• Date
• Time
• Location
• Weather conditions
• Traffic conditions
• Observations about the scene and how the accident happened
• Witness contact information
• Other driver’s contact and insurance information

Be as detailed as possible in your descriptions of the accident. However, keep in mind this needs to be an honest and accurate depiction of the crash. Try to stick to the facts and remove emotional statements or statements of opinion. If you have pressing questions about your case, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced legal team today. 

Photographs. At the scene, try to take as many pictures of the accident as possible. You should include photos of the damage to both cars and the location of the crash. Try to photograph debris from the crash and skid marks or other damage caused by the wreck.

Medical Documentation. Medical documentation is vital to a car accident claim. You will need to gather detailed medical records documenting your injuries, treatment, and therapy. These documents help illustrate the significance of your injuries. Contact the hospital or your physician’s office for these records. Most offices will have a procedure for releasing your medical records to you. If you are out of work due to your injuries, you may also want to get a note from your physician explaining how long you will need to be out of work and include that with the other documents. Contact us today. 

Medical Bills. In addition to your medical records, which outline your injuries and treatment, you will need copies of your medical bills. These bills can help an insurer calculate the value of your claim and what you may be owed for compensation for your medical expenses.

Work-Related Documents. When you are seriously injured, you may end up missing work to recover. You should provide a note or timesheet from your place of employment outlining how much time you have missed from work. You may also need to include a pay stub so that an insurer can calculate how much income you are losing out on while you recover from your injuries.

Car Repair Estimate. Include the paperwork from your mechanic that breaks down the cost of your car’s repairs. If your car had to be towed, you should also include the receipt for the towing costs.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses. You may also want to include receipts for your out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. These expenses can account for things like gas to and from doctor’s appointments or lodging and food if your medical care took you outside of your city. 

Get in Touch with an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Being involved in a car accident is stressful enough. Let us help take some of that stress off your shoulders. Contact the legal team at Portner Bond, PLLC for help. We can assist you in gathering the necessary documents your insurer will need. We can also negotiate on your behalf for the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve.

If you are involved in a Texas car accident, call (409) 838-4444 today. We will be happy to set you up with a free consultation to discuss your case.