If you get hurt in an accident and decide to sue for damages, keeping notes about what happened to you can be helpful. Note-taking can make it easy to recall specific details. Your writing can also serve as evidence in your case and help you argue for compensation. A Bexar County, Texas personal injury lawyer can tell you more about the importance of note-taking and how it can help you build a case.
What Should I Include in My Note-Taking?
You should include whatever you feel is relevant in your note-taking. However, if you’re wondering what can be most useful to your case, we can give you a few suggestions about what to focus on. Some details you might want to include are:
- The date and time of the accident
- How the accident occurred
- How you felt during and after the accident
- What anyone else involved in the accident said
- What kinds of injuries you sustained
- How your injuries are affecting you, like if they make it hard to sleep
- How much work you had to miss
- If you had to miss out on social activities or other things that you enjoy due to the accident
All of these things can help you make a stronger case.
How Can My Note-Taking Help?
Our memories are not always reliable. One reason note-taking can help is that it ensures that details of your accident are recorded correctly. Notes taken shortly after the accident could be more convincing than half-remembered verbal accounts months after the event.
Your note-taking can also make it clear how much your injuries have affected you. They can affect you economically, but they can also weigh on your mental health as the road to recovery stretches on and on.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Receive in a Personal Injury Case?
Your notes can help you when you sue for damages. After most accidents, like car crashes or slip and falls, the defendant pursues two types of damages. There are economic and noneconomic damages.
The economic damages are there to reimburse you for actual costs stemming from the accident. Your medical bills, lost wages, and any other costs should be addressed by this part of your compensation. Your note-taking can help here if it mentions things like how often you had to miss work or if your injuries caused you to miss out on a job opportunity.
Noneconomic damages are meant to make up for your pain and suffering, including mental anguish and psychological trauma. Your notes about how you have felt after the accident can help here.
Should I Hire a Lawyer?
You are not required to hire an attorney, but we recommend that you have one. It can be tough to make a case on your own. An experienced lawyer can help you gather evidence and build a compelling case while you focus on your family and your recovery.
Schedule a Free Case Consultation
When you are ready to learn more about your legal options, contact Sahadi Legal Group. We can schedule a free case consultation for you. There’s no obligation, so reach out to our legal team today.
