What Is a Personal Injury Journal and Why Should I Start One After a Truck Accident?

If you get hurt in a large truck crash, you will need strong evidence to prove the extent of your damages. In addition to economic damages, such as medical bills and lost income, you may also be entitled to non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Proving non-economic damages can be challenging because they are subjective in nature. A personal injury journal is one piece of evidence your attorney might use to prove the extent of your pain and suffering.

Keeping such a journal is especially important in truck accident cases because victims tend to suffer devastating injuries. To ensure the journal will contribute to the strength of your case, you should write daily entries until you have reached maximum medical improvement. At that point, it should be sufficient just to write entries regarding any periodic appointments or follow-up exams.

Let’s explore a few reasons why you should start a personal injury journal following a truck accident:

1. To Retain a Record of the Injuries in Your Own Words 

Although most claims do not make it to trial, there is always the chance that yours will end up before a judge or jury, which means you may have to testify. In such a scenario, reviewing a record of the injuries in your own words could be helpful.

It may take a while for the courts to schedule your hearing, which means by the time you testify, you might have forgotten critical components of the recovery process. And since medical jargon is confusing, merely skimming your provider’s notes may not provide much insight.  

2. To Contextualize Your Non-Economic Damages 

Medical bills and paystubs might help track the economic damages you incur in the wake of the truck accident, but what about non-economic damages like mental anguish, emotional distress, and pain and suffering? In a journal, you can provide context for such damages by writing about the ways in which the injuries have:

• Prevented you from taking care of loved ones;
• Inhibited your mobility;
• Made simple tasks challenging or impossible;
• Prevented you from participating in social gatherings or attending special events;
• Stopped you from enjoying hobbies, pastimes, or recreational activities; and
• Burdened your loved ones. 

Discuss Your Case with a Truck Accident Lawyer in St. Cloud 

If you were hurt in a large truck crash in Minnesota, contact Bradshaw & Bryant to determine the most strategic way to proceed. Our personal injury attorneys have established a reputation for practicing with honesty and integrity while fighting tirelessly to protect our clients’ best interests.

For six consecutive years, attorney Michael Bryant has been recognized as a SuperLawyer and has been named among Minnesota’s Top 40 Personal Injury Lawyers by Minnesota Law & Politics. Call 320-259-5414 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free case evaluation with a truck accident attorney in St. Cloud.