Keeping Records After an Injury

No one wakes up expecting to be injured in a car wreck or an accident. When something like that happens, it’s natural to feel unsure about what to do. However, one thing you should do no matter what is document everything you can regarding your wreck. Having this knowledge later will help you make an informed decision should the insurance company offer you compensation for your injuries. A few ways to keep a record of your wreck are:

1. Take pictures

Phones today come equipped with great cameras and they are useful in documenting what happened after a car crash. Remember to take photos of every vehicle involved in the crash. It is also a good idea to snap a picture of other driver’s license plate, driving license, and insurance paperwork.

If you can, take photos showing where the vehicles came to a stop after the crash. You will never have another opportunity to do this, and it may later be important for your insurance claim.

2. Keep track of your costs

The other driver’s insurance company may be responsible for reimbursing your out-of-pocket expenses. Or, if the other party denies coverage or responsibility, your own insurance may cover your expenses. In order to be reimbursed from an insurance company, you will need records of your expenses. Examples of receipts you should keep include rental expenses, towing receipts, or money spent replacing broken personal items.

3. Keep track of lost wages

If the wreck took away your only means of transportation, or if an injury prevents you from being able to do your job, keep track of all the hours and days missed from work. It’s also a good idea to inform a supervisor, manager or human resource director at your job about your wreck and explain the reasons you cannot make it to work. And don’t forget to keep track of your recent check stubs or W-2’s to show how much you were being paid before the wreck.

Even if you are using sick time or vacation time, it is still important to track your time missed from work. And, even if you bought a disability insurance policy that pays you partial benefits, you should track your time missed from work.  Knowing how much time you missed from work, and what it cost you to miss that time, will help prove how a wreck affected your life and will help to show what the insurance companies should compensate you for.

4. Keep a journal

It is a great idea to write down your version of how the wreck happened, and how you felt afterward. For instance, if the wreck caused you to miss an important event, or if your injuries start to interfere with your daily activities, document what happened and how you dealt with it in a journal. When it later becomes time to tell your story, a journal will help you to remember all the important details that people normally forget over time.

Related Posts