In personal injury law, documentation is everything. The difference between a strong case and a weak one often comes down to the records the victim kept — or didn't keep — in the weeks and months following the accident.
Medical Records
Seek medical attention immediately after the accident and follow all treatment recommendations. Every missed appointment or skipped therapy session gives the insurance company ammunition to argue that your injuries aren't serious. Keep copies of all medical bills, diagnostic reports, prescription records, and doctor's notes.
Photograph Your Injuries
Take photos of visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling, surgical incisions) on the day of the accident and regularly throughout your recovery. Use your phone's timestamp feature. Juries and adjusters respond to visual evidence — photographs make injuries real in a way that medical records alone cannot.
Keep a Pain Journal
Write daily entries describing your pain levels, physical limitations, emotional state, and how the injury is affecting your daily life. Include specifics: "Couldn't pick up my daughter today because of back pain" is far more compelling than "back hurt." This journal becomes evidence of the non-economic impact of your injuries.
Document Financial Losses
Save all receipts related to your injury: medical co-pays, prescriptions, parking at medical facilities, mileage to appointments, medical equipment, home modifications, and childcare or household help you needed because of your limitations. Keep pay stubs and employer documentation for missed work.
Preserve Digital Evidence
Don't delete text messages, emails, or social media posts from around the time of the accident. However, be extremely careful about what you post on social media after an injury — insurance companies routinely monitor claimants' accounts for evidence that contradicts injury claims.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, contact a personal injury attorney.