Record Everything – What To Document If You Are Injured In A Car Accident
The hardest thing to do when you are in shock is to think clearly, which is what makes car accident cases so cloudy for those who are in them. Not only is it difficult to make sense of the events at the time, but it can be even harder to recall the incident in detail after the fact. If you are involved in a collision of any kind, the only way to ensure that you are fairly compensated is to write everything, and that means everything, down on paper.
The reason writing everything down immediately is so critical is because recounting events afterwards can lead to holes in your story or parts of it that you simply can’t remember. Immediately following the incident is when things are fresh and definite in your mind. If you write it all down, there is no mistaking what is real in your recall and what is extrapolation later.
Taking notes can make the difference between a quick resolution to your car accident suit and a long drawn out one that can cost you both time and money. The problem is that the last thing you think when you are injured is “where is a pen,”, which is why it’s critical to have things prepared ahead of time.
These are some vital steps to follow if you are in a car accident:
Write it all down as quickly as you can
Make sure to always stock your glove compartment with a notepad and something to write with. Not only will it come in handy when you are out and about, but it will also ensure that if you should ever be in an accident, you won’t be searching for something to write with.
The best way to write things down is to write it all step-by-step, not leaving anything out. There are going to be some details that you may not think are important, but they could become critical to your case. If not made note of, you could easily forget them or have a hard time recounting the specific events when the accident is recorded to memory. Include all information even if it seems like overkill, include the time and date. You would be surprised how quickly things leave your mind, especially during times of stress.
Other things that you need to take notes of are things that you wouldn’t necessarily notice like the weather, any adverse road conditions, or things that happened either right before or right after the accident. That can include things that people say or the behaviors of those involved in the accident immediately following the collision.
Details are crucial for injuries
If you are injured in an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately following the crash. It isn’t enough to just go to the doctor and have the doctor’s report. Although the report is helpful, you should also have a list of your own details about the pain you suffered, any additional treatments you needed, how long it took you to recover, any exercises you had to do for rehabilitation and how it altered your life while recovering. Those details should be in writing because otherwise there may be holes when it comes time for trial. A lot of the things that you endure will be forgotten due to time, medications, or just the brain blocking things out.
Even if things seem minor or insignificant, they can become significant in the future. To be able to connect any subsequent injuries to a previous accident, it is imperative that you write everything including events and feelings on paper. Whether you think it is important or related, doesn’t matter. You can always discount what you wrote, but you can’t go back and document it after the fact.
Write down all conversations
Injury lawyers for you can confirm that making sure to write down everything that is said from everyone involved is a very important part of the process. That not only includes what the clinician who treats you says, but the things that the other vehicle driver may say. Sometimes things omitted at the scene gives clues later on about fault or state of mind, so paying close attention to what is being said will ensure that the truth will be discovered and you will be fairly compensated for your injuries.
The last thing anyone wants to do in the midst of a stressful time is take the time to write things down. But if you are involved in an accident, that is exactly what you have to do for your own safety and to protect you from any legal suit you may be involved in, in the future.
