When you have been injured in an auto collision, a personal injury attorney may advise you to keep a post-injury pain journal. This tool can help your physical recovery and your legal case. Here is everything you need to know about creating and maintaining a pain journal to assist your claim.

What to Include in Your Post-Injury Pain Journal

Details of the Collision

A post-injury pain journal should include all the information about the incident. Right after the collision, add details you believe contributed to the event. This can consist of the weather and the road conditions, any distractions or glares, and the contact information you received.

Conversations

If you communicated with the other driver, law enforcement officers, witnesses, or medical professionals after the incident, write down the details when they are fresh in your memory. As your case progresses, take notes that include the time and date when someone contacts you regarding your wounds, such as insurance agents and doctors. The information can be useful for your personal injury attorney in case they need to reach these individuals.

Injuries & Treatments

Make a note of any medical treatment you received at the scene or immediately afterward. Over the coming months, use your journal to document how your injuries impacted your daily life, including any lost wages. 

Additionally, keep track of all medical treatment received and the associated bills, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and topical treatments.

How This Benefits Your Personal Injury Case

Memories fade over time, particularly when associated with an upsetting event. However, keeping note of all the essential details can help provide evidence if the case goes to court. Additionally, a personal injury lawsuit can go on for months or even years, so a journal helps ensure you remember important facts during questioning. This tool will also provide an accurate log of the monetary loss you sustained due to your injury.

If you have experienced pain related to an automobile collision, turn to Laskin Balma Attorneys at Law. Their personal injury attorneys have helped clients throughout Monterey and Sacramento, CA, for over 30 years. Whether you sustained an injury from a motorcycle collision or a slip and fall, they know how to hold the other party responsible for the damage you have endured. Visit their website to learn more about their services, and call (916) 689-0700 for a free consultation.