If you have been involved in a car accident then you should keep a journal. Starting as soon as possible after the accident a journal will help keep the details of the event in order and help ensure all the vital information regarding the accident and resulting injuries are retained. It may not be months or even years before the claim is filed and brought to a conclusion by which time memories could have faded and important information is lost. Use whatever tool you prefer- a traditional diary, A4 paper in a ring binder or a word processing document saved on your computer. Even an online diary works well. The important thing is to get the facts down. 

 

Start with a description and diagram of the car accident. Write about what happened, who was involved, where it took place, what the weather was like, who was present, how much traffic was around, lighting conditions......anything and everything you can think of. Also make a note of any contact details of witnesses that you may have recorded after the accident. Include timings of the event too and use the diagram to show where the cars were hit and were they came to rest. Even if something doesn’t seem very important, make sure you make a note of it as it could be pivotal to your case at a later date. 

 

The journal is also vital so you can keep a record of your injuries and how they have affected your life. All doctor’s appointments, hospital visits and trips to the chemist should be noted with corresponding receipts retained for proof of expenses incurred. It is very important to demonstrate that day to day life has been affected by the injury when making a claim, so as much information as possible should be added to the journal. Trouble sleeping? Make a note of the days this happened. Bad back making sitting at a desk uncomfortable? Keep a thorough record in the journal.

 

Take photographs too of the accident itself and of any injuries if possible. Bruises for example should be captured as they are good evidence to be used during your claim. If any scarring occurs, take pictures of this too and of course it helps to photograph braces, crutches or other medical equipment. It can also be worthwhile taking pictures of the bottles of pain medication being taken. 

 

Keep the tone of the diary simple and business like. Avoid expressing emotional feelings, instead stating times, dates and facts only. Use it when visiting your doctor so you can paint an accurate picture of the injuries. The information may get used in your medical record which holds a good deal of weight during the claims process. 

 

Although it can involve a little work, keeping a journal is invaluable when making an accident claim and will ensure it goes quicker and smoother and most importantly results in success.

 

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