Writing down details of the crash itself, how it has affected your life and what sort of medical treatment you are receiving for your injuries will be important for medical, legal and insurance reasons.

What you should include

Your diary should begin with details about the vehicle accident. How did the crash happen? What was the location and which direction were you going? What was the damage to your car or truck? What about the other vehicle? What were the weather conditions? Write down the contact information for the other driver and any witnesses who will agree to give you theirs.

Your medical notes

You should see a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine after the car crash. An accident as seemingly minor as a rear-end collision can cause injuries that may not be apparent initially. Use your journal to keep notes about how you feel from day to day. This information will be important to your doctor if delayed symptoms begin to show up.

The medical report

Your diary will be helpful when it is time to file a claim for financial compensation to cover your medical expenses, loss of wages and other costs. A medical report from your physician will also tie any injuries you might have directly to the car crash, which is important because insurance companies review medical details carefully. The information you and your doctor provide will be critical in terms of the amount of compensation you can expect to receive.

Your life going forward

As the victim of a car crash, the accurate, truthful information you keep in your diary will help to make your legal case solid. Do not forget to make notes about the effect the crash has had on your life. Some injuries, even those that seem minor at first, can adversely affect your life for years to come. Hopefully, your diary will tell a story that has a happier end in sight.