What Should I Keep After an Injury?
Medical records, bills, wage documentation, correspondence, photos, and a simple running log of out-of-pocket costs and missed work.
Short answer
Keep medical records and bills, incident documentation (police report, incident report, witness info), wage-loss paperwork, every letter and email from any insurer, photos from the scene and of your injuries, and a running log of out-of-pocket costs and lost time.
A quick checklist
- Medical records from every provider you see
- All bills, whether paid by you, insurance, or unpaid
- Prescriptions, medical devices, over-the-counter medication receipts
- Mileage log for medical appointments
- Police report (for vehicle crashes)
- Incident report (for slip and fall, work injury)
- Photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and injuries over time
- Witness names and contact info
- Letter from employer confirming dates missed and your rate of pay
- Pay stubs and prior-year tax returns
- Every letter, email, and voicemail from any insurer — plus notes from phone calls
How to keep it
One folder, physical or digital, for everything related to the incident. Scan paper documents. Take screenshots of emails. Keep voicemails. Years later, finding the specific letter from month two is the difference between a provable claim and an argument.
Key Takeaways
- 01Medical records and bills are the single most important category.
- 02Photo documentation (scene, damage, injuries over time) is hard to reconstruct later.
- 03Keep a written log of phone calls with any adjuster — date, name, what was said.
- 04One organized folder beats scattered paperwork every time.
General information only. This page explains common concepts in plain language. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state and change over time. For any specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.