Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
The aftermath of an accident can be completely overwhelming. Victims are shuffled to multiple doctors’ appointments, physical therapy sessions, and attorney consultations all while trying to recover from the emotional and physical effects of potentially serious injuries. One minute, your life is carrying on as planned, the next, an accident thrusts all of this upon you. It can be extremely difficult to navigate the medical terminology, insurance claims, and financial issues without any help. Enlisting the assistance of a Massachusetts personal injury attorney is advised in these cases, learn more about that here
With everything that is going on around them, details surrounding the actual symptoms can begin to get foggy for the victim, and defendants and insurance companies will take every opportunity to take advantage of that. A simple solution to the problem is to keep a journal. Writing a detailed account of your injuries, how you are feeling, and general notes about the accident every day is a low-tech but ultimately effective tool for bolstering your claim. A daily journal easily monitors progress and set-backs and eliminates worry of forgetting any important details amid the chaos.
The journal does not need to be complicated or overly in depth. A simple, concise account updated a few times a week will help fight an insurance adjuster or defense council’s attempts to lessen the severity and relevance of a victim’s injuries. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys commonly use medical records to fight a client’s claim, but the information is not always complete or correct.
Medical records usually only contain a small amount of detail about the patient’s injuries, and the effects that they have had on his or her daily life. A doctor’s evaluation does not show the entire picture of the situation. Additionally, patients are highly likely to downplay the severity of their pain to their doctors, skewing the physician’s analysis of their injuries. An honest, clear written account of one’s own personal thoughts and feelings about his or her injuries can help counteract efforts like these to lessen the significance of the claims and therefore lower the amount of financial compensation a victim will receive.
What not to do after an accident
While writing in a personal, private journal is strongly encouraged, evidence suggests there is one place you should keep your thoughts about the accident to yourself-social media. Be careful what you post on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other information-sharing websites. Insurance companies will try to use any posts, pictures, or interactions to dispute claims and prevent victims from receiving compensation for their injuries.
Also, Attorney Brian J. Mongelluzzo also explains that, “social media profiles can also be used to bring fault into question, particularly in situations where there is not an independent third-party witness to verify the events of the accident.” Read more about protecting yourself on social media from our blog here
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, it is advised that you contact an attorney right away. At Altman & Altman, our dedicated team of Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorneys has decades of experience going up against large insurance companies and successfully awarding clients the compensation they deserve. Our attorneys are available around the clock to answer questions and guide you through the confusing process.
Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation and case evaluation.
