Car wrecks can be frightening. In Wisconsin, bad weather and road construction can cause backups on the highway that might lead to a car accident. If you’re injured in a car accident there are simple things you can do to ensure your safety and coverage of the crash. Here are a few helpful tips to know about car accidents.
Take Notes
First, write down everything you can about your accident, including details of your injuries and their effect on your daily life. Your notes can be useful when putting together a case for compensation. Our memories are not always reliable so it’s important to note specific details of the accident. Be sure to write on the notes, “For my attorney”, which will make it harder for the insurance company to access these notes later on. Get into the habit of taking notes on anything you think might possibly affect your personal injury claim and carry it through the entire claims process. Make sure you always have a pen and paper with you so you can write down your notes as things happen.
Be sure to take specific notes about:
The Accident
Once you’ve calmed down, write down everything you can about how the accident happened. Start with what you were doing, where you were going, the people you were with, the time and weather. Include every detail of what you saw, heard, and felt during and right after the accident. Also, include anything you remember hearing about the accident. And remember, every separate entry should include the phrase: “For my attorney”.
Your Injuries
In the first days following your accident, make daily notes of the pain and discomfort your injuries cause. In addition to pain and discomfort, you may experience anxiety, loss of sleep, or other problems which are not visible, but for which you should demand additional compensation. If you don’t make specific note of them, you may not remember exactly what to include in your demand for settlement weeks or months later. Also, taking notes will make it easier for you to describe the severity of your pain to the insurance company.
In addition, writing down your different injuries may help your doctor diagnose you. A bump on your head may seem insignificant now, but it could develop into something more severe down the road. It is important to tell your doctor about all of your injuries so they’re documented in your medical records.
Economic or Other Losses
You may be entitled to compensation for economic and social loss in addition to pain and suffering, but you will need good documentation to prove this. Begin making notes immediately after the accident about anything you have lost because of the accident and your injuries. This includes:
- Work hours
- Job opportunities
- Meetings/classes
- Social events
- Family gatherings
- Vacation
- Anything else you would have normally done, but were unable to do so because of your accident.
Be sure to keep receipts, where applicable.
Conversations
Make written notes of the date, time, people involved, and content of every conversation you have about your accident or your claim. Conversations you have with any witnesses, adjusters, other insurance representatives, or with medical personnel are important to document.
Next Steps
Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer after you’ve been in an accident is important. Every attorney at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP is experienced in Wisconsin personal injury law and will tirelessly fight for each and every dollar of compensation that you deserve. Contact us today.
