Why you should keep a diary after a car accident to support your claim

Keeping a diary following a car accident can provide a firsthand account of your car crash and how the injuries you sustained in the accident have impacted your life. The diary must be detailed and used often, depending on the severity of your injuries and other factors. Your diary can be used as evidence in your car accident case to increase the value of your damages.

What Information Should I Document in My Accident Journal?

When you hire a car accident lawyer, they will discuss what an injury journal is, how often to make entries, and what information should be included.

An accident diary will often include information such as:

The details of the accident
Time, date, and location of the accident
Road and weather conditions at the time of the collision
Summaries of doctor’s appointments, procedures, surgeries required, and a list of medications you’re taking
Occupational therapy and physical therapy visits
Updates on your level of pain and treatment status
Any conversations you have with the insurance company, your treating physicians, and your employer

And more.

How Often Should I Document in My Accident Diary?

You should begin documenting in your diary as soon as possible following the accident. Memories can fade over time. Writing down accident details can help you clearly remember the events that unfolded and can help your car accident attorney build a stronger case.

If you suffered injuries in the accident, you should document whenever your injuries impact your life.

For example, document about your injuries if:

You are experiencing pain ( note what level of pain you’re experiencing using a scale of 1-10)
Your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once loved
Your injuries have made it difficult to take care of yourself, such as dressing or bathing yourself
You have a doctor’s appointment that day- document before and after the appointment and note what the doctor said
You are still unable to return to work

This type of supporting documentation can also help you and your doctor better manage your pain by tracking what triggers the pain, how often you’re in pain, and whether or not your pain level is worsening or diminishing over time.

How Documentation Can Help You Recover the Compensation You Deserve

While economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, are easy to prove, non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering or loss of quality of life, are not. In many cases, an accident diary can help your attorney prove your demand for non-economic damages with the help of other evidence, such as testimony from your physicians, family, friends, and employer.

While keeping an injury journal does not guarantee that you’ll recover the compensation you’re owed it will significantly increase your chances. An injury journal can help prove how your injuries have impacted your life and help your car accident lawyer demonstrate how you have struggled with your injuries since the day of the incident and the many challenges you have faced.

Contact Us Today

If you have been involved in a car accident, Lem Garcia Law can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our legal team can help you navigate the legal system and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and other losses.

We offer free, no-obligation consultations to car accident victims, where you can discuss your case and learn about your legal rights and options. If you decide to hire Lem Garcia Law, our firm will handle all aspects of your case to allow you to focus on healing and moving on with your life. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.