If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Iowa, one of the most important things you should do is to write down the details of your accident as soon as you can and then keep track of any medical issues after that. There are several benefits for keeping a post-accident journal:
1. It Helps You Remember the Details of the Crash
If your crash-related injuries last a long time, eventually you will be questioned in great detail about how the accident occurred. Whether the questioning comes from an insurance company or a doctor, how you answer these questions can be crucial to your case. You may believe it will be impossible to forget something as traumatic as a car wreck, but you might be surprised. Our memories fade with time, and it’s possible you will forget certain important details. That’s where journaling comes in handy.
Soon after your crash, write down everything you remember including:
- the time of day the car accident occurred;
- the weather conditions;
- the road conditions; and
- any other specifics about the crash scene you can recall.
Don’t be worried if you can’t remember everything. Just write down what you can remember fully and truthfully. That journal description could be very important to your Iowa personal injury case.
2. It Helps You Remember the Details of Your Treatment
If you have ever made an insurance claim before, you know that insurance companies do not pay for things that aren’t properly documented. Your personal injury case after a car accident is no different. If you were injured in an accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to be compensated for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment.
That means that every doctor’s appointment, every prescription and every over-the-counter remedy must be documented. A journal is a great way to record your medical appointments, the names and quantities of the different prescriptions you’re taking, and your out-of-pocket medical expenses.
An accurate journal of medical treatment makes the difference when asking the insurance company for a fair settlement for your injuries after an auto accident.
3. It Helps You Remember the Details of Your Pain
In the days following a crash, it is common to “hurt all over.” A lot of these pains will improve over time, but some pain can linger for weeks, months or even longer. There is often no way to know immediately after your crash which parts of your body will heal quickly and which ones will not.
It’s important to keep track of your medical issues in your post-accident journal. If you do not report or record each and every pain that develops as soon as you experience it, an important pain symptom can get lost in the shuffle. Insurance companies are notorious for denying responsibility for injuries that aren’t mentioned in writing within the first week or two after a crash.
That is why it is so important to keep a journal of how you are feeling after your car accident. Write down:
- Where you hurt
- When you hurt
- How often you feel the pain
- How intense the pain is
- A description of your pain – such as shooting, burning, or throbbing
Be specific and detailed. Keep updating your journal about your pain until you are completely healed from the crash.
Talk to an Iowa Personal Injury Lawyer before You Speak with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
Remember, speaking with the other driver’s insurance company about your injuries before you have completely healed is often not in your best interest. If the other driver’s insurance company is hassling you for a recorded statement or to settle your case before you’re healed, you should speak with an experienced Iowa personal injury attorney. They can advise you on how to protect yourself from an unfair settlement.
For more information about what you should do after you’ve been injured in a car accident in Iowa, download your free copy of the Law Guide to Iowa Car Accident Claims.
