After a car accident in California: the records to keep

After a crash, it is hard to think about paperwork. But records made in the first days are often the hardest to recreate later. This is a plain list of what is worth keeping, whether or not you ever talk to a lawyer. It is general information, not legal advice about your situation.

Safety first

If anyone is hurt, call 911. Get medical attention for injuries, including ones that seem minor at first, and follow the care you are given. Your health comes before any record.

At the scene, if you can

• Names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers and insurance details of the other drivers.
• Plate numbers, and the make and model of every vehicle involved.
• Names and contact details of witnesses.
• Photos of the vehicles, the road, signs and signals, skid marks, and your injuries.
• The responding officer’s name and agency, and any report or incident number.

In the days after

• The police or CHP report. Ask the agency that responded how to request a copy.
• Medical records and bills. Keep every bill, receipt and visit summary, including for prescriptions and travel to appointments.
• Time off work. Pay stubs or a letter from your employer showing missed time.
• Repair estimates and photos of the damage to your vehicle and anything inside it.
• Every letter and email from any insurance company, and notes of each call: date, name, what was said.
• A short daily note of pain, sleep and what you could not do. Memory fades; notes do not.

Reports and deadlines

California has an accident reporting requirement to the DMV for some crashes, and your own policy will have its own notice rules. Claims and lawsuits also have time limits. Deadlines apply; ask a lawyer which ones apply to you, and do not rely on a general article to work them out.

Bringing it to a first meeting

If you meet a lawyer, bring copies of what you have, your own insurance policy, and a list of questions. Ask how the fee works and get it in writing: see contingency fees in California.

373 firms in the directory list car accident cases (as of November 5, 2026), and 5 firms say they offer virtual consultations.