When you have been injured or disabled, it is quite understandable if the furthest thing on your mind at that moment is documenting all the details of the incident. You may be suffering from severe pain, or going through surgeries or other medical procedures to get on the road to recovery. But, an experienced Rhode Island injury lawyer knows that one of the first things you should do or have done for you after you are injured is to write down everything you possibly can about the accident, such as the details of your injuries and their effect on your everyday life. These notes can be invaluable months later when you file your claim because they will help jog your memory about what you endured in the weeks and months after the incident that caused your injury.
What Should You Include?
Write down anything that you believe might have an impact on your personal injury claim and continue documenting your physical and emotional progress throughout the entire claims process. Write down details as you remember them, when they are still fresh in your memory. As days and months pass, your memory may fade and the details can become fuzzy. Here are a few specific details that are noteworthy:
- The incident: Write down everything about the incident that caused your injury. If you were injured in a car accident, describe what you were doing and where you were going. Make a note of the time, the weather, the roadway, and traffic conditions. Include every detail of what you saw including the sights, sounds and smells of the accident scene. Jot down what you remember about the statements of an eyewitness or someone else at the scene.
- Injuries: In the days after your accident, make daily notes of all pains and discomfort caused by your injury. In addition to the physical pain and discomfort, include other effects such as anxiety, loss of sleep, depression or other problems that are not visible.
- Economic losses: Document all losses you have sustained as a result of your injuries. Keep all hospital bills, invoices for treatments, medications and medical equipment. Jot down all losses relating to your job such as work hours, job opportunities, meetings and training opportunities. Think and write down details about vacation plans or any other trips that may have been disrupted as a result of the injury. Write about the activities you cannot perform as a result of the injury. For example, if you had to hire a gardener or a housekeeper because you cannot do the jobs you normally do, then you can seek compensation for those additional expenses as well.
- Conversations: Take notes of the date, time, parties and content of every conversation you have about your claim. Include in-person conversations, telephones and e-mail correspondence with witnesses, adjusters or doctors.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured and has suffered economic as well as noneconomic losses as a result of an accident, it is crucial that you seek the counsel of an experienced Rhode Island injury lawyer who will remain on your side, fight for your rights and help you receive fair and full compensation for all your losses. Please contact us toll-free at 1-800-992-6878 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.