Car accidents are often traumatic. You may think you will remember all of the details, but you would be surprised just how much you forget after a car accident. It can take personal injury cases years to be fully ready for trial, and your memory will fade.
It is essential that you take notes after your car accident. These notes will not only provide details of the event, but they will also refresh your memory when reading through them. You can provide these notes to your car accident lawyer, and they will be a huge help for your case.
Notes about the Accident
You should take very specific notes about the accident and the day of the accident. Your notes should answer the following questions.
- Where were you going that day?
- What direction were you traveling?
- What direction was the other driver traveling?
- What was the weather like at the time of the accident?
- What part of the vehicle did the other car hit?
- What time of day did the accident occur?
- Who was with you?
- Was there a traffic light or sign involved?
- Who was there to help first?
- Did you talk to the other driver?
You should include every detail that you remember. If you remember anything about the impact, you should write that down as well. Record the sights and sounds of the accident as you recall them. Events right after the crash will be relevant too.
Notes about Your Injuries
It is also important to keep notes regarding your injuries as well. Your injuries are going to be a focus in your personal injury cases. Your medical documentation will tell a story about your wounds, but you only you felt the pain that was involved with the injury.
Record anything relating to:
- Pains and discomforts
- Anxiety
- Loss of sleep
- Mental distress
Keep notes about how the injury has affected you and your family as well. This may include information regarding particular treatments as well as activities that you had to limit or stop doing as a result of the accident.
Keeping a good record of everything will help you and the insurance company get a full understanding of your injuries.
Notes Relating to Economic Losses
After a car accident, you may not be able to work for some time while you recover. Keep a good record of every time you had to stay home from work or when you had to leave work early due to your injuries. This also includes leaving work to attend doctor’s appointments or physical therapy as well. You should also record any information related to opportunities at work (promotions, overtime, or new job prospects) that you had to forgo because of your injuries.
Keep a record of missed opportunities generally as well, including meetings, events, vacations, or social gatherings. Essentially, any time that you had to miss something because of your injuries, you should make a quick record of it in your notes.
Notes About Conversations
You should also keep a record of any conversation you have about your accident. Keep track of who spoke with you, what it was about, and when and where the conversation took place.
Bringing a car accident case can be complicated, but keeping a good record of the facts can be a huge help to your car accident attorney. Contact Jim Glaser Law today at 781-689-2277 or fill out our online form to request a free case evaluation.
