If you get hurt in an accident, your first thought probably isn’t that you should journal your thoughts about it. Taking notes after an accident can be helpful though, especially if you plan to pursue a personal injury suit. Your notes can help you remember important details and gather potentially useful evidence in one place. If you’re not sure exactly what you should be writing about, a Prince George’s County personal injury attorney may be able to help.
How Can My Notes Help My Case?
Human memories can sometimes be unreliable. This is especially true when a traumatic event like an accident is involved. Writing down notes after your accident can help you keep an accurate record of what happened. These notes could be seen as more reliable as verbal testimony months after an incident.
What Should My Notes Cover?
Your notes should cover anything that you deem relevant. Some things that you might want to include are:
Details of the accident: When did it happen? Who were you with? Did the other people involved in the accident say anything? Were there witnesses? Having details about these things written down can be helpful.
What kinds of injuries you suffered: Write notes about your injuries and what kind of pain the accident caused. Then keep copies of any medical records and bills to use in your case.
How your injuries affect you: Are you facing a long recovery time after your accident? Do your injuries make it hard to accomplish tasks in your daily life or sleep? Write these kinds of things down.
Missed economic opportunities: You may have to miss work due to your injuries. How much did you lose in wages? Does your recovery time put you behind in your career? Did you miss any major opportunities while you were injured? Record these kinds of things too.
Can My Notes Help Me Negotiate For Compensation?
When you have these notes you can make a more compelling argument for compensation. Having records of your injuries can make it easier to get reimbursed for medical expenses, but your notes about the anguish experienced and how your injuries made your life harder can make it easier to argue for damages relating to pain and suffering. Your notes about how your injuries affect your work can bolster a case for damages relating to lost wages and reduced earning potential. You can say that you have experienced a loss of enjoyment, but having a journal that details specific events that you had to miss out on because of your injuries can make for a more convincing argument.
Schedule a Consultation Today
When you are ready to sue for personal injury, our experienced lawyers are ready to help you fight for compensation. Contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. to schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll do everything that we can to help you build a convincing case.
