After the Accident: How Can I Prove My Pain and Suffering?
January 28, 2022 | Category: Automobile Accidents | ShareIf you were seriously injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering. Accident victims are entitled to just compensation for these “non-pecuniary” losses under Florida law. If you have a claim, an experienced Fort Myers personal injury attorney can help you seek the monetary compensation you deserve. Below are some of the ways in which you can help your attorney prove your pain and suffering.
1. Attend Your Doctor’s Appointments
When seeking financial compensation for pain and suffering, you need to show that you are taking your injuries seriously. With this in mind, you are encouraged to attend all of your doctor’s appointments as scheduled. If you cannot make it to an appointment for any reason, do not simply cancel. Instead, reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. Your medical records will also serve as key evidence that your pain and suffering are related to your accident.
2. Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
As you go through the recovery process, it is important to consistently follow your doctor’s advice. This will show the insurance companies that you are doing everything you can to get better as quickly as possible—and that you deserve to be compensated for all of the pain and suffering you endure. If you don’t follow your doctor’s advice, the insurance companies will argue that any pain and suffering you have endured is the result of your own decision not to take care of your medical needs.
3. Keep a Daily Log or Journal
One of the best ways to document your pain and suffering is to keep a daily log or journal. You can take notes throughout the day, or you can sit down and log the day’s events before you go to bed in the evening. Some examples of items you should include in your daily log or journal include:
- Your pain levels at various points during the day
- Whether your pain worsens with particular movements or activities
- Whether your pain prevents you from doing anything (i.e., working, cleaning or hugging your children)
- Any events you are forced to miss due to your pain and suffering (i.e., parties, recitals or sports games)
- How the emotional effects of your accident interfere with your daily life
4. Seek Professional Help, if Necessary
If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression or emotional distress following an accident, you should not hesitate to seek professional help. There are many excellent, highly-qualified doctors in Fort Myers, and your current healthcare doctor may be able to offer you a referral for any mental health services you may find helpful.
5. Work with a Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney to Document Your Injuries’ Effects
As your personal injury claim progresses, you will want to work closely with your attorney to help him or her document your injuries’ physical and psychological effects. For example, your attorney may want you to put him or her in touch with friends and family members who can speak on your behalf, or your attorney may need your help in compiling notes, photos and other documentation to paint a comprehensive picture of your pain and suffering.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney Randall L. Spivey
Fort Myers personal injury attorney Randall L. Spivey has decades of experience helping accident victims recover just compensation for their pain and suffering. To learn more in a free and confidential consultation, please call Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. at 888-477-4839 or get in touch online today.