With more than 2 million people injured or disabled in vehicle accidents in the U.S. each year, it's important to make sure that you're prepared in case you are in an accident yourself. Whether or not you're at fault for the accident, there is a chance that you will have to prove your case in court in order to resolve discrepancies between you and the other party. Here are a few things you'll want to collect to protect yourself and build your case in the event of an accident:

Contact Information for Witnesses

There are bound to be witnesses to talk to at the scene of the accident, and it's a good idea to touch bases with as many as possible. The more people that can corroborate your story, they easier it will be to prove your case if it ends up going to court. In addition to names and phone numbers, it is important to document the following if possible:

• Addresses.
• The time and date of each conversation.
• Location of where each witness was near the accident when it happened.

This information will make it easier for your lawyer to contact witnesses, and help fill in some of the details that may be hard to remember as time goes on.

Photos of the Accident Results

One of the most important ways you can document your accident is to take photos as soon as possible before anything is moved or fiddled with at the scene. Taking photos of all sides of each vehicle is essential, as are getting shots of:

• The ground around the accident area.
• Identifying street signs and stoplights.
• Insurance information of the other person involved in the accident.

Have two copies of your photos printed so you can keep a set for yourself and have a set available for your lawyer to work from.

An Official Police Report

While it might seem that your police report is safely filed away at the police department, it can take days to receive a copy after requesting one. So you'll want to request all the paperwork within just a couple of days of the accident to ensure that it's available for your insurance provider, lawyer, and the other party's representatives. Make sure that the paperwork you receive has the date and time of the accident so it is easy for service providers and legal representatives to verify that the reports are for the accident in question.

Proof of Loss of Income

Having to take time off from work, whether due to injuries, lawyer visits, or court dates, can result in the loss of income, and this only adds to your overall stress while dealing with the aftermath of your accident. The best way to document your loss of income is to compile your paycheck stubs and obtain a notarized letter from your employer that documents your usual income amount and the days of work that you've lost. You may also want to get your hands on letters from your doctor that verifies the need for lost work due to injuries resulting from your accident.

Bills Resulting from the Accident

If you were not at fault, you may be able to get compensation from the other party as a result of the accident. In order for your lawyer to come up with a fair compensation amount to ask for, it's important to keep all of your receipts for anything that has to be paid for after your accident such as:

• Car repairs
• Vehicle rentals
• Healthcare bills
• Physical therapy bills

You can even factor in any legal bills you are subject to in the aftermath of the accident. If you have to see a counselor for trauma relief, you may be able to get compensated for pain and suffering too.

Gathering these pieces of information will help you quickly put together a portable office that's easy to take to meetings with your car accident lawyer and insurance company.