Taking notes after a personal injury accident is critical—but difficult to do thoroughly enough to build a case with. Following a personal injury accident many people become disoriented due to shock, and details become fuzzy, especially as time passes and personal injury cases begin (which is often 6 to 10 months later). This is why it is critical to take notes immediately after a personal injury accident, to ensure that information is accurate even as time passes. But what should you document and what is not needed? To help you in this process we’ve put together a list of all the things you need to document to support a personal injury case:
The Accident Itself
As soon as you are in a safe state you need to document every detail of the accident that you are able to remember. This taking notes after a personal injury accident detailing includes:
·Who you were with, where you were going and what you were doing
·The exact time and date of the accident
·The weather and exact location
·Sounds and sights
·Any witnesses
·What you felt
·Any conversations and documentation you had after the accident with witnesses, insurance adjusters or medical professionals
The Injuries Sustained
It is critical to document any and all injuries you sustained, and have them documented by a medical professional. This means gathering statements and medical records from emergency staff, first aid responders and doctors. You will also need to document the injuries with photographic proof. Information about your injuries should include:
·Injuries sustained from the accident, including location and severity
·All pain, suffering, discomfort, anxiety, loss of sleep or other problems that occurred after the accident
When documenting your injuries you need to document any and all sensations, no matter how small, as a small cut may become infected and slight back pain can manifest into serious back injury in the following weeks or months.
Financial and Other Losses
The magnitude of a personal injury accident can resonate through time, and in addition to immediate pain and suffering it may cause further injury due to loss of income or increases in expenses. Possible financial losses include:
·Any loss of abilities after the accident
·Missed work, income or schooling due to your injuries
·Missed opportunities resulting from the accident, including vacation, job opportunities, social functions, etc.
After Taking Notes After a Personal Injury Accident
After you have gathered your notes and documentation you will want to hire legal representation—immediately—, to ensure that you move through the legal process correctly and to ensure that you have someone to direct all legal inquiries to (do not attempt to speak to opposing legal council or other legal representatives without council present). To ensure someone has your best interests at heart call Conte & Associates—your personal injury specialists in Whitby & Oshawa.
