It’s not uncommon to feel confused and uncertain after an accident. Motor vehicle collisions and their aftermath are chaotic, and they can be especially overwhelming when you have suffered injuries. That said, knowing how to document your car accident injuries can make a difference in your claim’s outcome. Well-documented car crash injuries provide critical support and strengthen your case. Scroll down to learn how to document your injuries following a collision.
Steps to Take After a Collision
Get Medical Help Immediately
Right after your car crash, you should see a doctor immediately for a thorough medical examination. If your injuries are severe, take an ambulance from the accident scene to the hospital for emergency care. If you think your injuries are minor, you still need to see a doctor immediately. Some injuries have delayed symptoms and can rapidly worsen without prompt medical attention.
Prompt medical care facilitates your recovery and helps to prevent complications that might otherwise arise. In terms of claims and how to document your car accident injuries, showing you sought medical attention promptly helps to demonstrate a causal link between your accident and the injuries you suffered. If you wait for several days or a few weeks to see a medical provider, the insurance company will likely argue your injuries aren’t serious or that they were caused by a different event.
Gather and Keep All Medical Records
Ask your healthcare provider for copies of all medical records that include information about the medical care you’ve received for your accident-related injuries. These records contain critical information to support your claim. Your attorney can use information gleaned from the various forms to prove the extent and severity of your injuries and the value of your claim. Gather the following medical records:
- Emergency treatment report and diagnosis
- Medical bills
- Diagnostic test results
- Imaging tests
- Insurance information
- Prosthetic costs (if applicable)
Photograph Your Injuries
Take pictures of your injuries as soon as possible after your accident. You should also photograph them during your recovery process. Store each photograph, and include documentation of the date each was taken.
In addition to photographing your injuries, take pictures at the accident scene, including the damage to each involved vehicle, the road debris, road and weather conditions, and other relevant details. These pictures provide visual evidence of the crash’s severity and can help you show how the collision led to your injuries.
Gather Wage Records
If you couldn’t return to work for an extended period because of your injuries, ask your employer for wage statements showing the hours and days you missed. This evidence can help prove the seriousness of your injuries and how they have affected your earnings capacity.
Get Witness Statements
If people saw your car crash, ask them if they would be willing to state what they observed. Encourage them to wait for the police and tell them what happened. Your attorney will want to talk to them later, so you should gather the following information:
- Witness’s name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Mailing address
- Physical address (if different)
Keep a Pain Journal
Keep a daily journal after your car crash about your injuries and how they affect your emotions and ability to participate in activities. Include detailed information each time you see your doctor and daily entries about how your injuries change as you recover.
You should also document your emotions and thoughts to provide information about how you have been affected non-physically. This type of information can help establish pain and suffering damages.
Consult Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers
After you have received initial treatment, reach out to the experienced car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave. We provide free consultations and can review your documents and advise you about your legal rights. Our attorneys can investigate your claim, explain its legal merits, and properly value it based on the impact your injuries have had on your life. Call us today at 417-322-2222 or contact us online.