Checklist
Accident report template: what information you should include
After a car accident, a clear accident report template reduces missed fields and keeps wording factual. Here is a structured checklist with sections, photos, a sketch, and common mistakes.
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Why a structured accident report template matters
A good template helps prevent missing details under stress. Those gaps often cause delays and follow-up questions later.
A complete report provides a factual basis for later review and communication.
Accident report template (ready to use)
You can copy this structure to paper or complete it digitally:
If you need guidance on wording and completeness, read how to fill out an accident report first. For the first minutes on site, use the car accident checklist.
SECTION 1-3
- 1) General information: date, time, location
- 2) Involved persons: name, address, phone number
- 3) Vehicles: plate, make/model, owner (if different)
SECTION 4-6
- 4) Insurance: company and policy number
- 5) Accident description: factual sequence, no blame
- 6) Damage: damage on vehicle A and vehicle B
SECTION 7-9
- 7) Witnesses: name and contact
- 8) Sketch: simple scene sketch placeholder
- 9) Signatures: driver A, driver B
How to complete the template correctly
Work section by section and prioritize completeness. A clean report is usually more useful than a rushed one.
Photos and sketch: essential parts
- Photos of all visible damage
- Photos from multiple angles
- Both license plates
- Vehicle positions
- Road signs, traffic lights, markings
- Wide scene photo
- Simple accident sketch
Photos and a sketch help reduce misunderstandings about positions, damage, and sequence.
European Accident Statement as standard form
The European Accident Statement is a widely used and proven standard form. It is helpful, but generally not legally mandatory.
This article template serves the same core purpose in a simplified structure.
Common template mistakes
- Incomplete data
- Missing insurance details
- Unclear description
- No photos
- No witness details
- Rushed completion
- Unreadable entries
- Blame statements in text
Document the accident properly
A template is only as good as the details you capture. Prioritize complete accident documentation: scene photos, readable plates, contacts, insurance details where possible, and a sketch or factual short description.
That keeps your accident report readable later—for you, repair shops, and insurers—without guesswork.
Apps like CrashReport walk through the same fields as a paper template, keep photos and a sketch on the case, and produce an exportable report.
Paper template or digital report
A paper template is useful, but digital capture can improve consistency. CrashReport can guide field-by-field capture, attach photos, create a sketch, and export a PDF report.
This keeps all details in one place instead of scattered notes and photos.
Quick checklist
- Location and time recorded
- Involved persons recorded
- Vehicles and plates recorded
- Insurance data present
- Damage documented
- Photos taken
- Witnesses recorded
- Sketch created
- Report reviewed
Frequently asked questions
This article is informational and doesn’t replace official instructions.
Conclusion: use a template and close cleanly
A good template saves time, reduces errors, and keeps your report reliable. Digital capture keeps photos, sketch, and form in one place.
For context on why this level of detail matters, see why accident documentation is important.
Document accidents - simple and digital
No paper needed.
More helpful articles
- Car accident checklist: first minutes
- Why accident documentation matters
- How to fill out an accident report correctly
- What to do after a car accident
Keep in mind: local rules and requirements can vary. Use this as general guidance for documentation.
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