The Importance of Documenting Your Injuries after a Bicycle Crash
No matter how badly you are injured, the fact is you cannot receive compensation unless you convince other people of the seriousness of your injuries. This means you need proper documentation.
But how should you go about documenting your injuries after a bicycle crash? There are actually several steps you should take, which we detail below. By following these steps, you can convince even the most skeptical juror that you have experienced serious injuries worthy of compensation.
Go to the Doctor Immediately
By visiting a doctor, you will adequately document the severity of any broken bones, cuts, burns, or brain injuries. You should also make sure that you tell the doctor where you are feeling pain along with its intensity, which the doctor should note in your medical records. Of course, some injuries take a few days to develop, but you should go as soon as you start to feel pain.
You should also have any X-rays or CT scans a doctor proposes, since these can helpfully document internal injuries. X-rays, in particular, are very helpful at convincing other people that you were severely hurt in your bicycle crash.
Document Non-Visible Injuries
Pain is hard to document. You might have blinding headaches because of a brain injury, but no CT scan or X-ray can really capture this pain. Nevertheless, in California, you can receive compensation for pain and suffering, so you need to create a record.
We recommend that clients keep a pain journal. In this journal, you daily record the pain you are feeling, along with its location and intensity. Keep the journal every day and be as detailed as possible.
You should also explain how the pain has changed your life. If you can’t talk to your spouse or leave the house, then write that down. If the pain keeps you from sleeping more than three hours a night, document that fact, also. This pain journal will serve as vivid proof of how your injuries have changed your daily living.
Hold onto Prescription Drug Information
Your doctor might prescribe prescription drugs for a variety of physical and emotional injuries. You might receive:
- Painkillers
- Sleeping pills
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Antidepressants
These drugs can help establish the severity of your emotional and physical distress, which some juries might be skeptical about. The more information you have the better. Of course, your family members can also testify about how you have changed after the accident, which can really bring home the fact that your bicycle accident injuries are negatively affecting your life.
Reach Out to a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Tustin, California
Adequately documenting the effects of a bicycle accident requires legal knowledge and practical know-how. Let us help.
At the Law Office of Gary A. Peterson, our clients receive individualized attention. We make sure to build your case from the ground up, which includes collecting proof of our clients’ pain and suffering. To speak with a trusted Tustin bicycle accident lawyer, please schedule a free initial consultation. You can call 714-461-6003 or fill out our contact sheet.