Being involved in a car accident can be overwhelming and frightening; it is something most people have never experienced before. One of the most important things you can do —if you have seen the above steps to check your immediate safety— is take note of your injuries in detail. Your claim may rely heavily on the documentation you have, and who better to help you gather it all than Des Moines car accident lawyer.
An attorney will ensure that you have everything necessary to get what is rightly yours. Knowing how to document your injuries properly can mean the difference in a case arising from an accident, and that is critical information in Des Moines. In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps you need to take in order to document your injuries after a car accident.
1. Call for Immediate Medical Assistance
Immediately after the accident, seek medical attention for obvious reasons — which is described as the first and most crucial step. Whatever injuries you have will not be visible to you, so even if you feel okay or believe your injuries are minor, it is important that you get a professional evaluation. Certain injuries, like internal bleeding or a concussion, may not have symptoms immediately but are critical to deal with if you actually sustained one. Plus, seeing a health care provider creates an official record of your medical history that you will need for your claim.
2. Take Pictures
Photograph your injuries from various angles with a smartphone or camera. Show how your injuries heal or worsen over time. Take pictures of the accident scene, including any visible injuries you may have suffered and your vehicle as well as other vehicle (s) involved, the road condition and way.
3. Keep a Personal Injury Diary
Writing a personal injury journal that includes as much detail as possible about your recovery will allow you to monitor your progress and the type of effect an accident has had on your day-to-day life from a day-to-day perspective. You may be able to use this journal as proof of your pain and suffering, which are the most important aspects of a personal injury claim.
4. Gather Witness Statements
Witnesses to the accident who can confirm your version of events and the extent of your injuries are an invaluable resource. Witnesses, though, are neutral factors that back up your story.
5. Maintain all documents which are relevant
In addition to your medical records and photographs, other documents can be important proven the validity of your personal injury claim. These would include police records, the insurance letter they got, estimates of your car repairs.
6. Seeking the Assistance of a Personal Injury Attorney
Insurance Companies Can Be Tough When It Comes To Personal Injury Claims Anyone who has ever tried to get an insurance claim from across a personal injury has probably right away discovered much more about the legality of it all than they at any time wanted to know. Seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer in Des Moines who can assist you in protecting your rights and getting fully compensated for damages done to you.
A personal injury claim related to your car accident in Des Moines will need you document what your injuries are thoroughly and accurately. If you get medical attention immediately, take lots of pictures, keep a journal of injuries suffered over time and any other details related to what happened, collect witness accounts, save emails, texts or voicemails that relate to your injury case and by making an appointment with a personal injury lawyer after you’ve done all of the above will greatly improve your chances of getting compensated properly for those injuries. The better your paper trail, the more solid your case!
