When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s carelessness, you could hold them liable for your pain and suffering with the help of a personal injury attorney. Unlike medical expenses and lost wages, proving discomfort, trauma, and other noneconomic damages can be difficult. Here’s a closer look at how a pain journal can help establish the extent of your injuries and how they’ve impacted your daily life. 

Why Keep a Pain Journal?

This post-accident journal documents the aches and discomfort you have after an injury. Entries can provide evidence of the type and severity of your pain, along with details of your experiences. The diary serves as valuable evidence for your personal injury attorney, as they can use it to negotiate a settlement or present your case in court. It also helps avoid forgetting important details, ensuring you’re fairly compensated for your losses even if you recover later.

If an injury is severe, it can take time to heal, with the pain persisting for weeks or even months. You can document these changes in pain levels in your journal, demonstrating how the impairment has affected your life and made participating in your favorite activities difficult.

What Details Should It Include?

A pain journal should indicate the date, time, and zone of the accident, as well as your observations of what occurred before and after the incident. For instance, you could note how the other party reacted or whether any traffic signals were ignored. If you spoke to any witnesses, jot down details of the conversation and their contact information if applicable.

In the journal, you should regularly describe your pain or discomfort, rating it on a scale of one to 10. Write down any activities that could have triggered the pain as well. List any other symptoms you’re experiencing, and note any situation in which your injuries made daily activities difficult or impossible.

If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s careless actions, contact Crandall & Katt, Attorneys at Law. They’ve been serving accident victims within a 2-mile radius of Roanoke, VA, since 1979. With over a century of combined experience, they are ready to fight for your rights. Visit their website to learn how they can help with your case, and call (540) 342-2000 to speak with a personal injury attorney today.