If you find yourself suffering from injuries due to a car accident, bicycle collision, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, or any other accident that wasn't your fault, your primary focus should be on recovery. A personal injury journal can be instrumental in substantiating the value of your claim. Our law firm emphasizes the significance of maintaining such a journal after an accident and offers guidance on what to include to strengthen your case.

As medical expenses accumulate and even a minor injury could result in lost wages, keeping a personal injury journal is a crucial strategy to ensure you secure the compensation you deserve. 

Our team of New York personal injury attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick in New York is ready to support you through the legal process following an accident. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and advise on the most appropriate course of action for your circumstances.

What Is a Personal Injury Journal?

A personal injury journal acts as a detailed record, capturing every aspect of your accident. It should include:

• Your recollection of the accident
• Witnesses or parties involved contact information
• Dates, times and any other specific details about the accident
• Weather conditions at the time of the accident
• Police reports
• Medical records
• Updates on your pain and status of any treatments that you have received
• Conversations that you have had with doctors, insurance company or any other parties related to the accident

The purpose of maintaining a personal injury journal is to provide your New York accident attorney with a comprehensive overview of your incident. By documenting the event and the injuries you sustained, you empower your lawyer to effectively advocate for you, ensuring your medical expenses are covered.

How Frequently Should Entries Be Made in My Personal Injury Journal?

Start documenting in your journal right after your accident occurs. Include a copy of the police report, contact information for any witnesses, and your own account of the events.

Additionally, make entries whenever significant developments occur, such as new doctor visits or changes in the intensity or type of pain from your injuries. Recording in a journal can also vividly convey the extent of pain, suffering, or emotional distress you're experiencing post-accident.

It's not necessary to write daily, but it is important to record instances of pain or difficulty resulting from the accident.

Such detailed records can also aid in managing your pain by identifying specific triggers and noting which treatments seem effective or ineffective.

What Should I Write in the Journal?

Maintaining a personal injury journal is a valuable strategy for documenting specific details and maintaining a comprehensive record of elements relevant to your NY personal injury claim. Your lawyer might advise you to update your journal regularly with entries on various topics to help support your case.

Specific Details About the Accident

Documenting your experience of the accident promptly is crucial, as memories can diminish over time. Capturing your recollection soon after the event can ensure the details remain vivid. Make sure to log an entry encompassing the following information:

• The sequence of events leading up to, during, and following the accident
• The weather conditions when the accident occurred
• The exact date and time of the incident
• Contact information for any witnesses
• The responding officer's contact information
• Any observed actions or statements made by the responsible party at the accident scene

Describe Any Pain That You Have Experienced

One of the most important things that you need to document in your personal injury journal is the pain and discomfort that you are experiencing. It is important to include the following details:

• The pain/discomfort that you're feeling
• Which area of your body is impacted/affected
• The intensity of the pain/discomfort
• The impact of your injuries on your daily life

Being truthful about your discomfort is essential; steer clear of overstating or understating it. Utilize a pain scale from 1 to 10 to distinguish the varying levels of pain you encounter on different days.

Periods of Time That You Have Missed From Work

If your injury resulted in time away from your job, document this in your pain journal. Note the specific dates you were absent and the reasons for not attending work, whether it was due to recovery, lack of transportation, or medical appointments. Additionally, record any lost earnings and if you utilized any benefits to offset your lost work time.

Details About Any Doctor’s Appointments

Managing the numerous medical appointments following an accident can be challenging. You may find yourself seeing a range of healthcare providers due to your injuries, which may include:

• An emergency room or trauma doctor
• A surgeon
• A general practitioner or primary care physician
• A chiropractor
• A rehabilitation therapist
• A psychological therapist

Additionally, it's important to record the distance traveled for each medical visit.

Details on Medications and Treatments That You Have Received

Throughout your recovery, you might receive prescriptions and other therapeutic suggestions. In your journal, note the medication's name, dosage, how often you take it, and how it's administered. Additionally, retain receipts for all prescription and non-prescription medication purchases.

The Impact of the Accident and How It Has Affected Your Life

Document the impact of the accident on your daily life, including any restrictions on your activities, hindrances to engaging in beloved hobbies, or interference with your interactions and relationships with others.

Brandon J. Broderick Is Available 24/7 To Assist You With Your Personal Injury Claim in New York

If you're seeking more information about maintaining a personal injury journal or have inquiries regarding the legal proceedings, the dedicated team of personal injury attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick is ready to support you. Understandably, accidents are unforeseen, and the thought of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit may not be immediately on your mind. However, accidents can significantly affect your health, well-being, and financial stability, leading to concern, fear, and anxiety for both you and your loved ones.

If you've suffered injuries due to another's negligence or reckless actions, you're entitled to claim compensation for your suffering and losses. There's no need to navigate the complexities of insurance claims and negotiations alone.

Reach out to the skilled and empathetic personal injury lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick. Our attorneys have decades of experience in representing victims across a spectrum of personal injury cases, from auto accidents to slips and falls to work-related injuries. We've assisted countless individuals in recovering and moving on from injuries caused by others' negligence or reckless behavior.

We are easily accessible and provide free consultations from our offices situated in all regions of New York State and New York City, including Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. We look forward to assisting you.