Building a strong car accident claim will usually require many different types of evidence. From surveillance camera footage of the wreck to financial documents detailing your injury-related expenses, it’s important to provide as much proof as possible to ensure you have all the ingredients you need to secure a favorable outcome.
A personal injury journal may also be one of these vital building blocks—especially if you’re planning to seek compensation for non-economic damages such as loss of enjoyment in life, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Essentially, this diary is your space to record information about your recovery so that you don’t forget certain details when it’s time to file your claim.
While this journal isn’t always necessary, if you suffered a catastrophic injury that will take weeks, months, or even years to heal, it may be wise to start logging daily entries. In this article, we discuss some of the information you might want to include:
1. Doctor’s Appointments
Keeping track of your healthcare provider’s instructions can be challenging, so it might help to keep detailed records of everything they’ve said during appointments and consultations. This will make it easier for you to follow your treatment plan, potentially helping you avoid disputes over failure to mitigate damages.
You should also note down any medication side-effects so that this information is on hand to share with your primary care physician and attorney. The insurance adjuster might attribute certain health complications to your own negligence, so having records of the side-effects you’ve experienced could help counter such defenses if they arise.
2. Pain Levels
While everyone experiences pain differently, it’s generally accepted that these sensations will have a profound impact on your quality of life. As such, you should use your journal to keep detailed logs of your pain levels making sure to describe the location, nature, and severity of the agony you’ve experienced because of your injuries. It may be useful to grade your pain levels on a scale of 1 to 10.
These entries could help shed light on how you have suffered since the accident, helping you build a case for non-economic damages. Your attorney may use your journal in combination with other evidence—such as psychiatric evaluations and testimony from your loved ones— to help build a case for such losses.
3. Limitations
A serious injury can impede your ability to live a normal life. For example, some conditions can make it impossible to engage in physical activity, return to work, or take care of the household. It’s important to keep track of the various ways in which your injuries prevent you from tackling certain tasks as you may be able to pursue compensation for these limitations.
4. A Written Account of the Accident
As soon as possible after the wreck, you should take a few minutes to write down everything you can remember about the collision. Doing so will ensure that these memories are preserved for later reference. Your attorney will likely want to see this written account during the initial consultation.
Speak to a Car Accident Attorney in Detroit Today
Starting a personal injury journal is just one of many steps you might need to take in your journey to recover fair compensation for the accident. At Seva Law Firm, our Detroit car accident attorneys can help guide you through proceedings, advising you of your role and responsibilities at each step.
Through the years, our award-winning legal team has helped our clients recover millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Dial (248) 385-5704 or jump to our contact page HERE to request a free case review today.
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