The Importance of Creating a Car Accident Diary

The effects of a car accident can be far-reaching and life-changing. The impact of two large objects, even traveling at relatively slow speeds, can cause tremendous damage not only to your vehicle but to your body as well. Injuries sustained from a car accident are more than just painful; they may dramatically alter your life in ways you’ve never imagined. That’s why it’s important to seek compensation for your injuries if you’ve been injured by the negligence of another.

At Portner & Shure, P.A. Attorneys at Law, we’ve been successfully helping car accident victims get justice in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. areas for over 30 years. When we take your case, our car accident attorneys work diligently and aggressively to prove the other party’s liability and pursue the compensation you need to make sure your family isn’t burdened in any way as you get the help you need, as can be seen from our track record of successful case results.

One of the ways we help you get the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering is by recommending that you create a diary of the time after the accident. Written in your own words, the diary will represent what you experience and help illustrate the extent of your injuries as you live with them on a daily basis.

Our car accident lawyers will use this during negotiations with insurance carriers to emphasize the seriousness of your suffering. It can be a helpful tool in obtaining the rightful compensation you deserve. Your car accident diary should include fundamental elements to clearly demonstrate the effects of the accident. These elements include:

• Understanding its purpose: The first, and most important thing is to understand that the purpose of the diary is to help your claim by providing a record of your pain and any problems you have after the accident. Notes should be taken daily and kept confidential. We recommend mailing these to your lawyer at least once a month.
• Describing your injuries: Your notes should detail exactly how you feel from the time you wake up until you go to bed each night. Note how your injuries have changed your life in any way or made normal activities more difficult. Also note if your injuries and pain have affected your mood, personality, or personal relationships as this can be extremely important for your claim.
• Describe your pain: It’s important to document the pain you felt from the moment of the accident to the pain you feel on a daily basis. Note the levels of pain that you feel and when and how that has affected your daily life. Be as honest as possible in describing your pain.
• Note pain on each body part: From your head down to your toes, describe the level of pain you feel in the affected body parts on a daily basis. Note any limited movement, decrease in mobility, and increase in pain.
• Describe your emotions: Each day take note of how your injuries are affecting you on an emotional level. Although it’s important that you do not write in a negative tone in your diary. While you may feel negative, try to take a positive approach and describe how you’re coping and taking positive steps to deal with any limitations.
• Keep track of any income or wage loss: Keep copies of all payroll stubs, W-2, and any tax return forms. If you don’t have this information, you may sign authorization forms so that we may obtain them for your records.
• Keep witness information: Keep information on anyone who witnesses any of your physical or emotional traumas, wage loss, or other hardships you face because of your injuries. Witness information should include their name, phone number, and address. Also, include notes on what they witness and the dates.

It’s important to recognize the importance of this diary as it will be a helpful aid to your case. By keeping an honest account of your daily pain and suffering and how much the injuries have affected your life we can pursue the highest amount of compensation to give you and your family peace of mind.

If you or someone you love has been in a car accident, please contact the law offices of Portner & Shure today for a free consultation at (410) 995-1515. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.