Being the victim of an accident, such as a car, motorcycle, or dog bite accident, that has left you seriously injured can be a very traumatic experience. It may be difficult to imagine ever forgetting the event’s horrific details. Personal injury claims can become a long and drawn-out process, especially because your attorney will likely advise you not to accept any settlement offers until you have reached maximum medical improvement to determine your overall losses effectively. Your memories of the incident may, therefore, start to fade over time.
Keeping a personal injury journal may be useful to document the details of the accident and your injuries. Your personal injury journal should explain exactly how the accident occurred, how it has affected you, and any other details that could be used to strengthen your case. This will ensure that these vital memories are preserved and can be used as evidence later in your case to help prove causation, liability, and damages.
Below are a few examples of what to include in your personal injury journal. You should detail your experiences daily.
- Your Detailed Recollection of the Accident: As soon as possible after the accident, write down exactly how, when, and where it happened. Make sure to record even the smallest details of the incident. Write down, for example, if you saw surveillance cameras in the vicinity of the accident, if you spoke to the other party after the accident, if they admitted guilt, and if an official accident report was filed. Include the steps you took immediately after the accident, for example, if you called the police or went to the emergency room. Also, include what the other party did after the accident. Eyewitness statements could be useful when your attorney is corroborating your story, so write down any eyewitness information that you managed to get. All of these important details will help your attorney map out the incident and determine what evidence will be needed to strengthen your case.
- Every Doctor’s Appointment: Keep a record of all your doctor’s visits in your personal injury journal. Make note of the instructions your doctor gives you, the treatment you receive, your physiotherapy sessions, and what medication you take. These details can serve as evidence of the medical costs you have incurred, help to prove that you are following your doctor’s orders, and prove that you are doing everything possible to mitigate your damages.
- Symptoms, Pain, and Discomfort: Not all losses are tangible. You may be suffering from constant pain and discomfort due to your injuries and you may be able to include these non-economic losses as part of your personal injury claim. Keeping a personal injury journal is an effective way to help prove these losses. Keep daily entries of your persisting symptoms, the pain levels that you experience, and the overall discomfort caused by your injuries. Detail how your injuries have affected your everyday life, routines, limits, and life enjoyment. This may help to strengthen your claim for intangible losses.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney at Obral, Silk & Pal Today
Have you been injured in an accident that was not your fault? Our dedicated attorneys at Obral, Silk & Pal can help you to navigate the claims process, gather important evidence, and strengthen your claim. Our attorneys will help you fight for the compensation you deserve to help cover all of your tangible and intangible losses. Call us at 216-529-9377 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation and case assessment today.