How to document your recovery after a car crash
Posted in Accident & Injury on June 8, 2017
By William J. Price
Many car crash victims suffer serious injuries that prevent them from caring for themselves and their families or doing the things they love.
Whether these struggles will last for months or a lifetime, documenting the recovery period can be an important step toward building the foundation of a case. A skilled attorney can combine these notes with information about the injuries and treatments to paint a picture of the ways the victim’s life was changed by the crash and determine how they should be compensated for the damages.
How to document your recovery after a car crash
If you were hurt in a car crash, creating a detailed outline of the consequences of your injuries could dramatically improve the outcome of your case. In your recovery journal, reflect on the things you were able to do and enjoyed doing before your accident, and how your injuries have kept you from doing these things. Describe the impact in every area of your life, including your job, hobbies, exercise, tasks around the house and any other activities you do on a regular basis.
Not sure what to write? Use these prompts to begin expanding on your experiences:
Work:
- What are the physical requirements of your job?
- Have your injuries prevented you from completing these tasks? How?
- Which projects or deadlines have you missed because of your injuries? Were you reprimanded?
Home:
- Have your injuries prevented you from supporting your family? How?
- How have your relationships with your family members changed?
- What has your family had to cancel or postpone as a result of your injuries?
Hobbies:
- What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
- Do you have any unique hobbies or interests?
- How have your injuries affected your participation in these activities?
Under each category, I recommend describing at least three unique, memorable situations that demonstrate how your injuries have had a negative impact on your life.
For example, one of my former clients was very handy around the house prior to his accident. His kitchen sink broke while he was in recovery. Although he was the one who ran the plumbing and installed the sink five years earlier, his injuries now prevented him from repairing it himself. He was forced to hire a plumber for a task he could have easily completed before his accident.
It can be very difficult to put the devastating impact of these types of injuries into words, even when you’ve experienced them firsthand. Documenting your recovery allows you to vividly describe how your quality of life has suffered and can help you convince the insurance companies to acknowledge your struggles.
William J. Price focuses his practice on personal injury litigation for people who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, defective products, negligence in construction sites and trucking and auto accidents. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, AVVO and is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Million Dollar Advocates Forum.