When you call an office after a crash, you will probably be asked how it happened. Many people answer with a short phrase like a car hit me. That is true, but it leaves out the details an examiner may need when deciding what to look at. You do not need to know crash mechanics. You only need to write down what you saw, what you felt, and what you remember while it is still clear, then bring that list to the visit.
What the vehicle did
Start with the basic motion. Note which direction your car was traveling and where the other vehicle struck it, such as the front, rear, driver side, passenger side, or a corner. Write down whether you were stopped, moving slowly, or moving at highway speed, and whether the impact was head-on, sideways, or a glancing scrape. If your car was pushed into something else, such as a barrier, a pole, or another vehicle, write that down too, because a second impact is a separate event.
If you do not know the speed, say so. A guess labeled as a guess is more useful than a confident number you cannot support.
What happened inside the car
Describe your seat position and what your hands and feet were doing. Note whether the airbags deployed, whether the steering wheel or dashboard was close to you, and whether your seat belt was on. If it was on, describe how it sat across your lap and chest, including whether it rode low over your belly. Mention anything that moved inside the cabin, such as a bag, a phone, or a child seat, and whether any of it struck you directly. These are the kinds of details an examiner may ask about, so write them down even if they seem minor.
What you felt, and when
Separate what you felt at the moment from what you noticed later. Write down the first sensation you had, the first time you noticed pain or stiffness, and where it was located. Keep these as separate lines rather than merging them into one sentence, since the order matters.
Also note anything you felt in your abdomen, including tightening, pressure, cramping, or any change in how your baby seemed to move. Record whether you told anyone at the scene. If you hit your head, note whether you lost consciousness, felt dizzy, had a headache, or vomited.
If you have vaginal bleeding, fluid leaking, regular tightening, severe belly pain, confusion, or trouble breathing, get emergency care now. Do not finish a written list first.
What to compare before the visit
Once your notes are written, compare them with the questions the office sends you. Check whether the intake form asks for crash details, and whether its wording matches your notes. If the two versions differ, record the difference rather than editing one to fit the other. Your own account is the reference point you will later use to check the chart.
Ask the office two things. First, what details they want before the visit, and whether they want your written account in advance. Second, how they handle a correction if your description is recorded inaccurately. A clear answer tells you whether they treat your account as part of the record or as a passing comment.
Keep it factual
Write what you know, not what you assume. Mark estimates as estimates. If a responding officer or another driver told you something, write down who said it and what they said, and keep it separate from your own observations. Leave out blame and conclusions about fault. Describe motion, position, and sensation. A short, accurate account lets the examiner decide what to assess, and it gives you a fixed reference when you later read the visit notes.
This page explains how to organize information. It does not tell you what is wrong with your body, and it does not replace an examination by a qualified clinician.