Injury documentation
How to document injuries after a crash
Injury records are strongest when they are boring, consistent, and dated. Write down what changed, where you got care, and what the accident interrupted.
Track symptoms by date, save every treatment record and bill, photograph visible injuries, record missed work, and keep medication, therapy, transportation, and follow-up notes together.
Start a simple symptom log
- Date and time symptoms began or changed.
- Body area, pain level, stiffness, dizziness, numbness, headaches, sleep issues, or mobility limits.
- Activities you could not do: work, driving, childcare, lifting, school, or daily tasks.
- Provider names, appointment dates, treatment plan, prescriptions, and referrals.
Save records as they arrive
Keep discharge papers, bills, explanation-of-benefits letters, pharmacy receipts, imaging orders, therapy schedules, and work notes. If a document is only in a patient portal, download or screenshot it before it gets hard to find.
Avoid guessing
Do not minimize symptoms to be polite, but do not exaggerate. If you are unsure whether something is related, write the date and ask a medical professional.
California Courts lists photos, medical bills, doctor reports, witness statements, and police reports as examples of evidence that may support an injury case.