A car accident can result in injuries that harm your ability to go back to work, school or your normal daily activities. These injuries may also cause emotional trauma that takes time to recover from.
After you get into a motor vehicle collision, documenting your injuries and recovery process can help you protect your interests. However, you need to make sure you document your injuries properly as you work on recovering.
Gather medical records
Over 2.1 million emergency room visits related to car accident injuries occurred in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After a car accident, do not hesitate to seek medical attention and keep copies of all your related healthcare records, including diagnoses, treatment plans and prescriptions. These documents can provide a clear timeline of your injuries and their treatment.
Attend all follow-up appointments
Go to all follow-up appointments as recommended by your healthcare provider. Skipping additional appointments may not only slow down the recovery process but also make others believe your injuries were not as serious as you indicated.
Write in a recovery journal
Record the intensity and duration of any pain or discomfort you experience because of your injuries on a daily basis in a dedicated journal. This journal can also help you keep track of your recovery timeline.
Keep your receipts
Hold onto all bills, invoices and receipts related to your medical treatment and any out-of-pocket expenses. These documents can help establish the financial impact of your injuries.
Document insurance correspondence
Maintain copies of all communication with your insurance company regarding your injuries. This includes emails, letters and phone call records.
Keep all of your documentation supporting your recovery process and information about your injuries in a single, secure place. This way, it is easy to find the documents required when you need to present them to someone else.
