How To Take Notes After A Car Accident For Eventual Injury Claims
After accidents that might lead to personal injury claims, you have to do some things to drastically increase the possibility of being paid. Writing down what you remember is a very simple step that can easily help you when you get a lawyer for car accidents. This is because the attorney is going to use those notes to build a better case for you. Basically, these notes will be much more reliable than your memory.
As you start the claims process, you have to get into a habit of actively taking notes. Anything that could affect the case should be written down. As you remember something, you realize something, or you just have doubts about something, you have to write it down. Some of the most important things to make a note of are presented below.
How The Car Accident Happened
After you are clear enough, you have to write down all you can remember about the actual circumstances in which the accident happened. Start with where you were headed and exactly what you did. Then, focus on who you were with, the weather, and the time.
Make sure to write down all you saw, felt, and heard. This includes shocks, blows, and twists that might have affected your body. Also, jot down things you remember people said about the car accident.
Injuries And Effects
Make some daily notes in the days after the accident to record the discomfort and pain caused by the injuries. This includes anxiety, lost sleep, discomfort, pain, and practically anything that negatively affects you although not visible.
It is important to make such notes because you will surely forget some details in the future. In addition, the notes make it so much easier to eventually describe what you felt as you discuss details with insurance companies. Even your doctor might use your notes to offer a diagnosis.
At first glance, something small, like a minor neck pain, does not seem relevant. But, in the near future, your doctor might see that as a sign that you are suffering from an injury that is harder to detect.
Describe Accident Effects And Economic Losses
It is highly likely you are entitled to receive compensation for missing special events, pain, suffering, and economic losses. However, you do need documentation for that. Your notes can be started right after the car accident and you can record absolutely everything you lost, like job opportunities, events, classes, social gatherings, family gatherings, meetings, vacations, and work hours. Basically, write down any event that you might have been able to take advantage of if you were not injured.
Conversation Summaries
Last but not least, you have to take notes of all the conversations about the accident you take with anyone relevant, like police officers, attorneys, and insurance adjusters. Focus on date, time, who was involved, and the actual content of the conversations. Telephone and in-person conversations that you have to focus on are those you have with witnesses, the adjuster, medical personnel, and police officers.