The first few days immediately following an accident are often the most important for finding and preserving evidence and documenting your injuries. Here is what you need to do after a personal injury accident if you want to increase your chances of financial recovery.
Take Notes
Good documentation of the accident, your injuries, and any losses you suffer, along with any conversations you have, is highly important in a successful injury claim. Do these things as soon as you are able:
• Write down everything you remember about the accident. What you were doing, where you were, who you were with, what you saw and heard, the time of day, and even weather conditions are all important to document.
• Document your injuries. Take daily notes about your pain, discomfort, loss of sleep, anxiety, and any other problems that may not be as visible as other injuries.
• Take note of anything you have lost. Work hours, job opportunities, meetings, classes, events, family or social gatherings, vacations, or anything else that would have benefited you or you would have enjoyed had the injury not happened.
• Document accident-related conversations. Write down dates, times, people involved, and the contents of every conversation you have about your injury accident claim. This includes communication done in-person, over the phone, and via email. You should also refrain from using any social media.
Preserve Evidence
• Return to the scene as soon as possible. Locate and photograph any evidence you believe may have caused or contributed to the accident. Look for individuals who may know of other accidents that have occurred in the same place.
• Protect physical evidence. Physical evidence can be used to prove fault for an accident and help prove the extent of an injury. Try to preserve any physical evidence exactly as it was at the time of the accident. If you cannot preserve the actual object, take photographs of it.
• Locate witnesses. Witnesses to an accident are immensely valuable. They may be able to describe things about the accident that confirm your story. Even a witness who did not see the accident may be able to confirm your injuries or overheard a conversation that could prove someone else’s fault.
• Report your injuries. Promptly report your injuries to a doctor or medical provider. Photograph any visible marks, cuts, bruises, or swelling, including any casts, splints, bandages or other devices.
