Many of our patients have difficulty describing where and how serious their injuries are. The capacity to accurately describe the range and seriousness of your injuries is important because many people are going to ask you. On the scene of an accident the EMT’s will ask you, your spouse or family members will ask you, your attorney will ask (if you decide to pursue a legal course), and your insurance adjuster will ask if you make a claim, and most importantly your doctors will ask. A state Injury Board recently published 9 questions that accident victims can use to help themselves identify an injury and describe it to their physician.
Identify the place that is numb of hurt or injured
Describe the sensation
Describe the Duration
Think about the triggers
Don’t Guess
Don’t be a doctor
Keep a list of areas that are hurt or numb
Defer to your doctors
Ask questions