Were you recently involved in a car accident that was not your fault? Did the accident leave you with serious injuries that have impacted your life? Perhaps you are unable to work, engage with your family or friends, or participate in a hobby that you previously enjoyed.

The good news is you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. You can file a lawsuit against the person who caused the accident and their insurance will often cover claims on their behalf. However, in order to win a settlement or lawsuit, you'll need to prove that the accident was their fault and that your injury has in fact impacted your life in a negative way. That may be more difficult than it sounds because the defendant's legal team does everything in its power to prove otherwise.

Below are a few tips to prove your injury is real and that it is impacting your life.

See a doctor as soon as possible

This is step one after any car accident. When you visit a doctor, your symptoms are documented by a trusted third party. That creates admissible evidence that you can use in a future lawsuit. If you wait to go to the doctor, you open up doubt as to whether the injury is actually from the car accident. For instance, if you go to the doctor two weeks after the accident with back pain, the defense could claim that you sustained the injury some other way, like at work or exercising. By going to the doctor immediately, you minimize that risk.

Document everything

Having an injury documented by a doctor establishes that you have an injury, but it doesn't establish that the injury has negatively impacted your life. It helps to document all aspects of your life. Keep a journal where you write down what has changed. Maybe you can't exercise like you did before the accident. Or perhaps you need help with basic activities like eating or getting dressed. Maybe it's difficult to work.

When possible, get documentation from third parties. Your work may have documentation that you are unable to perform tasks. Or a friend or family member may be able to write a statement that they have to help you around the house. Be as detailed as possible with dates and exact details.

Don't contradict yourself 

The most common mistake accident victims make is publicly contradicting their own injuries. For instance, you may say you have back pain that prevents you from working, but then you post pictures of yourself on social media engaging in physical activity. The defense attorneys can and will use those images against you. Don't do anything in public or online that contradicts your injury claims. It can completely undermine your case.

Contact a car crash personal injury attorney soon after your crash. They can guide you through the process and help you establish your case so you win the settlement you deserve.

Share