How Long Should I Keep Car Accident Evidence?

There is no single retention period that safely fits every accident, insurer, legal issue or injury claim. Keep original evidence while a claim, dispute, recovery, complaint or related legal matter remains open, and ask your insurer or adviser before deleting material that may still be relevant.

What evidence to keep

Start with safety. Stop somewhere safe where required and possible, check whether anyone needs urgent help and avoid creating a second hazard. Once the immediate situation is under control, record the date, time, exact location, vehicles involved and the basic sequence of events.

Keep your notes neutral and chronological. Record what happened, what you observed and what action you took rather than trying to settle blame in the record.

Keep originals intact

Record names, addresses and vehicle registration numbers where they are available and appropriate. Add insurer details, contact information, vehicle make and model, visible damage and any reference numbers you receive. Check spellings and registration characters carefully.

If information is unavailable, write that down rather than filling the gap from memory later.

When a claim is still open

Take photographs only when it is safe. Useful images can include the wider scene, road or car-park layout, signs and markings, vehicle positions, registration plates and damage. Ask independent witnesses whether they are willing to provide contact details and note nearby CCTV or dashcam possibilities.

Preserve original images and messages. Do not crop or edit the only copy of evidence you may later need.

Before deleting anything

Notify your insurer as required and keep the claim or notification reference with the incident record. Where police reporting is required, keep the police reference as well. Store later emails, repair information, estimates, medical or recovery documents and follow-up notes with the original incident.

Requirements vary by circumstances, so use official guidance and your insurer’s instructions for the particular event.