Documents 101: A Checklist

When filing a claim with your insurance company, negotiating a settlement, or taking a case to trial, there’s one thing that will always be required to achieve the best possible outcome: proof. Insurance adjusters and juries look at the facts to make a decision about your case, so it’s very important to show them as many as you can. 

Whether it’s to show the severity of your pain, the extent of physical damage, proof of negligence, or something else, having documentation will likely make or break your case. But between the moment your injury happened and a final verdict, a lot of paperwork and evidence is created. 

To help you stay organized, here’s a checklist of the documents your lawyer may ask for. Remember, it’s better to have more evidence than not enough!

Personal Injury Lawsuit Document Checklist

From the Scene of the Incident

• Pictures of your vehicle, the spill that caused your fall, faulty product, etc. 
• Notes about the date and location where the injury or property damage happened
• Write down what happened soon after the incident occurs to avoid forgetting any details 

Medical and Legal Paperwork

• A copy of the police report, if relevant 
• All medical records, including invoices and payment receipts 
• A copy of your insurance policy

Work-related Information

• Pay stubs from before and after the incident 
• Notes of the days you’ve missed work or left work early 

Personal Documents

• Keep a daily journal detailing your pain and how the injury has affected your life and overall well-being

Contact Information

• Names, contact, and insurance information of other people involved in the accident
• Names and contact information of any witnesses 
• Information about anyone you spoke with at the insurance company

Piles of paperwork can get messy. It may be helpful to scan or take photos of any paper documents and keep them in a dedicated folder on your computer. If you’re unsure if something is important to keep, always ask your attorney before throwing it out. 

Cases take time. While your attorney and case team are working on building the best possible case, keeping track of your injury is one of the most important things you can do to contribute to its success.