The type of accident helps identify what an investigation should examine. Organize the common records first, then preserve the additional information that makes a truck, rideshare, bicycle or pedestrian incident different.
Updated October 16, 2026.
Passenger-vehicle collisions
Save the driver and vehicle details, insurance information, report number and available photographs. Keep a dated record of insurer communications and proposed releases. Distinguish the vehicle-damage issue from questions about an injury claim.
Commercial and delivery vehicles
Record the vehicle markings, plate, driver details and any carrier or contractor information already available. Tell an attorney whether the driver appeared to be working. A logo alone does not establish every responsible party or policy.
Uber and Lyft trips
Preserve the ride ID, receipt and app screenshots as well as the collision records. The trip stage and crash date are relevant questions when identifying coverage. Avoid assuming a personal policy and an app-based policy have identical terms.
Bicycle and pedestrian collisions
Save available information about the crossing, lane, traffic controls, visibility and witnesses. Prioritize medical attention and immediate safety. Do not enter a roadway to obtain photographs or measurements.
Prepare the shared documentation
Across accident types, a concise timeline, treatment records, bills, missed-work records and insurer letters make the first conversation easier to organize. Ask which evidence is most urgent and which legal deadlines require individual review.
Related information
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General information only, not legal, medical or insurance advice. Outcomes, deadlines and coverage depend on the facts. An inquiry does not by itself establish an attorney-client relationship.