Injured in a car crash in Appleton? After a traumatic accident, most people worry about taking care of their health first and paying their bills second. Your well-being is the priority, but we all know how hospital bills and other related costs add up fast. What you may not realize is how these expenses have an impact on your claim and how much of your damages you can recover.
Insurance companies don’t consider how difficult an accident made your life without evidence. Essentially, if you don’t document your costs, you cannot prove them. If you cannot prove them, the insurance company can leave them out of your claim.
When Sigman Janssen manages your Appleton car accident claim, we guide you on what costs you should be documenting throughout the legal process. Below, we discuss why you should track all costs related to your car crash, exactly what costs you should track, and why it is easier to manage if you start tracking from day one.
Ready to seek legal help?
Call Sigman Janssen for a free case review today. (920) 335-1394
Why Does Tracking Costs Matter to My Car Accident Claim?
When you’re dealing with injuries, appointments, and insurance calls, keeping receipts and recording costs may feel like the last thing you want to worry about. But in Wisconsin car accident cases, those details play a much bigger role than most people realize.
Insurance companies evaluate claims by reviewing documented evidence. Having a clear and accurate record of your costs provides hard evidence of your financial damages that is hard to dispute.
Insurance Companies Need Evidence of the Damages You Are Claiming
Insurance companies will not take your word that the car crash caused you to miss work or incur huge medical bills because you needed surgery. They will not care if you drove back and forth to medical appointments or spent money on prescriptions and treatment. Any undocumented costs will be denied by the insurance company as unverified or not related to the crash.
Missing Records Reduce What You Get Paid for Your Claim
This is where many accident victims lose money without realizing it. If you only focus on bigger costs, like medical bills or car repairs, and let small expenses slide, you could be costing yourself thousands of dollars over time. Don’t hesitate to document and include all necessary and reasonable costs related to your car accident.
How Tracking Costs Turns Your Losses into Real Compensation
Tracking every accident-related cost creates a clear financial picture of how the crash affected your life. It gives your claim more credibility. It shows the insurance company and, if necessary, a jury that your injuries were painful, expensive, and disruptive. Clear evidence and accurate records are what turn your losses into real compensation.
What Costs Should I Be Tracking for a Car Accident Claim in Appleton?
Because most people naturally focus on the big bills — hospital visits, surgeries, diagnostic testing, or physical therapy costs — many of the smaller costs get overlooked. But these everyday expenses can add up to a significant amount of money by the time your claim resolves.
Make sure you are tracking all the costs related to your car accident, including:
- Emergency room visits, hospital stays, and follow-up doctor appointments
- Physical therapy, chiropractic care, and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications, over-the-counter pain relievers, and medical supplies
- Mileage to and from medical appointments, pharmacies, and therapy
- Parking fees, tolls, rideshare cost, and public transportation related to your treatment
- Ambulance, towing, and vehicle storage charges
- Rental car or alternative transportation while your vehicle is being repaired
- Lost wages from missed work, including sick days or vacation time you had to use
- Reduced hours or lost income if you miss work while recovering
- Childcare, home cleaning, or household help you cannot manage because of your injuries
- Medical equipment such as braces, crutches, or supportive devices
- Any out-of-pocket costs related to your recovery that you wouldn’t have had if the crash hadn’t happened
Keeping track of what the crash is costing you isn’t just good organization; it is one of the easiest ways to protect the full value of your car accident claim.
Pain and Suffering: Identifying and Tracking Non-Economic Damages
Documenting your medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs is pretty straightforward. You can simply file or scan the receipt and send it to your lawyers at Sigman Janssen. Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, can and should be tracked, but since there are no invoices, employment records, or tangible records to support your claim, you need to document these non-tangible costs a little differently. One of the most effective ways to record pain and suffering damages is by keeping a journal of the injuries you sustained in the crash.
How to Document Pain and Suffering
On a daily basis, record the date, the symptoms you are experiencing, and your daily pain levels. You should also record the emotional impact, how your injuries limit you, affect your ability to rest, and impact your overall quality of life.
When maintained consistently, your pain journal creates a clear record of how the crash has affected your day-to-day life. This record can be used by your attorney to illustrate the full scope of your injuries.
Pain and suffering damages to track include:
- Physical pain from injuries or ongoing medical treatment
- Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression related to the accident
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sleep disruption or fatigue caused by injury or treatment
- Limitations, such as being unable to engage in normal daily activities, social events, or hobbies
- Impact on family, social life, or relationships
- Scarring or disfigurement caused by the crash and your injuries
- Loss of independence
Frequently Asked Questions About Tracking Costs for Car Accident Claims
What types of expenses should I track after a car accident?
You should track all out-of-pocket costs caused by the crash, including medical bills, prescriptions, physical therapy, transportation to appointments, lost wages, vehicle repairs, towing, and rental cars.
How should I document my accident-related expenses for my claim?
Save all your receipts, invoices, mileage logs, and bank statements. Include the date, amount, and purpose of each expense in a spreadsheet so your attorney and the insurance company can verify them easily. Either scan this or save them in a folder. Some people do both.
Should I track lost income from missed work after a car accident?
Yes. Keep pay stubs, timesheets, or employer notes showing the hours or days you missed due to your injuries. This documentation supports claims for lost wages or reduced income.
How long should I keep records from my car accident claim?
Keep all documentation until your claim is fully resolved, including settlement or trial. In some cases, you may need them for several years if disputes arise or additional damages are claimed.
Need Legal Help After a Car Accident in Appleton? Call Sigman Janssen Today
Tracking car accident expenses is a critical part of your claim, but even the most organized records can’t replace legal expertise. Insurance companies often try to undervalue claims, and without a skilled attorney on your side, you could leave money on the table.
At Sigman Janssen, we know how insurance companies operate and what costs you should be tracking. Our car accident lawyers in Appleton have a history of proven success, and we are prepared to guide you throughout the legal process, helping you understand what costs to track — and how. We always seek full and fair compensation for your damages, and this level of documentation helps to maximize your settlement.
Deadlines apply, so don’t wait to contact us. We make sure your case gets the attention it deserves, and there are no upfront attorney fees or out-of-pocket costs.
Sigman Janssen. We fight to get you the results you need and deserve. (920) 335-1394