First-day priorities
Use the parts that fit your situation. Safety, medical care and official instructions take priority over completing the list.
- Get urgent help for new or worsening concerning symptoms
- Back up photos, video, dashcam and messages
- Write a factual sequence without guessing
- Save contact and claim information in one place
- Check the official DMV reporting page for applicable criteria
- Preserve damaged property until it is documented
Start one accident folder
Keep original records together and use copies when you need to annotate, share or sort them.
- Scene and vehicle evidence
- Agency and report information
- Insurance claim numbers and contacts
- Care instructions, visit summaries and receipts
- Tow, storage and transportation documents
Why this matters
Separating original records from your working notes makes later requests easier and helps you spot what is still missing.