It’s tough to be on the right frame of mind when you’ve just experienced an accident, but if you’re able, make sure to do the most rational thing to do in this situation: take notes. Your notes are important in building your case for compensation demand later. Remember that you can’t depend on memory alone, so as much as possible, pin down the details of what happened to you on paper or on your smartphone. Here are the specific things you should be able to record:
1. The Accident
Once you’ve reached a safe place, start jotting down everything you remember about the actual event. To ensure that you have most of the details, try to play the incident in a chronological manner — what you were doing before the accident, how the event occurred, and what happened after.
As you describe these things, take note of the weather, time, location, and the people that were there. The last one is important because they can be key witnesses that can support your claims later. If possible, take photos of the accident and the surrounding scene, too. This will further solidify your case.
2. Your Injuries
Write down any pains, bruises, or wounds you’ve incurred from the accident. If you can also capture them in photos, then the better. Take note of the unseen injuries, too. If you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other psychological discomforts, put them into writing.
No matter how trivial a pain symptom may seem, keep a record of it. You will never know how a “minor back pain” now could be something serious later. Get your health checked by a doctor. This is crucial not just in receiving the appropriate care that you need. Utah personal injury lawyers say that medical records can serve as strong evidence in court later for compensation.
3. Your Financial Losses
Beyond the hospital bills resulting from injuries, your compensation may also cover the financial losses you experienced from the accident. For instance, the work hours you lost because of staying at a hospital or being bedridden at home for days would be taken into consideration.
The missed family gatherings or vacations may also be covered. You just have to record these. Consult an experienced attorney as soon as you’ve recovered so you’ll know how to best keep these kinds of documents for later use in court.
4. The Discussions
The last thing you want in this personal injury claim is conflicting stories from the people involved in the accident. Whenever you deal with health providers, insurance agents, and people at the scene, whether it’s through phone or in person, jot down your discussions. This may or may not be used in court as evidence, but it will surely help in piecing together your story and solidifying your claim. Include the date, time, people involved in the discussions, and of course the specific topic you’re talking about.
Again, note-taking is crucial after an accident. As soon as you get your composure, try to remember the details of what happened. Jot them down in a journal. And from there, contact a reliable personal injury lawyer to make your compensation claim.
