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Accident & Injury Records

If you are physically able, one of the first things you should do after suffering an injury is write down whatever you can remember about your accident. This includes details of your disabilities and their impact on your daily activities. These notes can be very advantageous to have because when you need to refer to them months down the road, you will have a vivid account of everything you went through, as opposed to committing it to memory and trying to recall it on command.

Developing a habit of taking notes on whatever you think will positively affect your claim is a good one to have throughout the claims process. No matter where you are, if something new pops into your head, stop what you are doing and jot it down because it could prove to be very valuable later on.

If you've been in an accident, take notes on the following focus areas:

  • Accident -- Whenever you are feeling up to it, write down whatever you can remember in terms of what triggered the accident, what you were doing, where you were headed, who you were with, what time of day it was, and what the weather was like. Try to remember everything you saw, heard, and felt before, during, and after the accident. If you recollect anything that a witness or someone involved in the accident said, take note of that as well.
  • Injuries -- Keep a daily log of the pain and suffering your injuries have caused in the days following the accident. You may be eligible for additional compensation for any discomfort, anxiety, lack of sleep, etc. that you may be going through. If you fail to make note of these conditions early on, you could forget about them in the coming months when you make your demands. Having these notes available also helps a great deal when an insurance company inquires about your troubles related to the injury. Making note of your different symptoms and what may have caused them will also help your physician diagnose greater problems. For instance, if you experienced whiplash during the accident, that probably explains why you currently have chronic neck pain weeks later. Once your physician knows about these injuries, they will be entered into your medical records, serving as proof that the accident caused these injuries in the future.
  • Loss -- You may deserve compensation for economic, social, and educational losses in addition to pain and suffering. However, meticulous documentation is a must; any work hours, potential jobs, classes, social events, vacation time, etc. that you have missed out on due to the accident should be in writing.
  • Conversations -- Do not overlook any conversations regarding your accident or claim because they will be important for your personal injury lawyer to use as possible evidence in court. Details of talks with witnesses, insurance adjusters, and medical professionals should be saved.