Thursday, August 25, 2005
So What Now?
Totalled new Honda Accord Ex.
3rd Degree Burns and shredded skin on my arms and hands.
Fractured left collarbone.
Bruised Ribs.
Screwed up left ankle and knee.
Extremely sore neck and lower back.
... and yes, a partridge in a pear tree.
All of that from a freak'n 30mph head on, and I still don't know what I should do next. Do I just suck it up? Everyone is telling me to get a lawyer, but I'm not that kind of guy. I have insurance, he had insurance, and everything will eventually get fixed. Yet I know I'm going to take a hit from his insurance because of the lost value of my car, and I've been 'profiled' by the military docs because I can't even hold a pencil in my left hand without my shoulder screaming at me in pain. Yes, that'll all heal too, but the loss of value really bugs me.
So what do I do?
posted by El Capitan at 4:15 PM
6 Comments:
said...
Our car was totalled in southern VA last year.
If it were me, I would go ahead and file suit for the injuries. You may not be feeling too bad now, but you don't know what medical issues this accident will give you years from now. The insurance company of the person who hit you will pay you for your injuries (though it may take two years to get the money), and that is what tehy are there for.
Don't feel bad about suing. It's what the insurance company is for. And even though you get free medical from the military now, any accident that is serious enough to break something may have consequences down the road that should be provided for.
In our case, my better half's pre-existing shoulder condition was aggrevated by the accident. He is currently seeing a physical therapist three times a week and they may be doing surgery on his shoulder. But right when the accident happened and a few days later, he felt "just fine."
Allison said...
Wow, bro, You got wrecked! No pun intended. Did you realize this was going to be the extent of injuries? You made it sound like everyone was alright...
Tough call. I hear what you're saying about the insurance and all that good shtuff, but I don't know you seemed to have gotten banged up pretty damn good.
Geez, be good to yourself and keep us posted for a follow up, will ya?
Em said...
El Capitan!!! yeah, whats up with that!??!!...you made it sound like "bumper cars"...this sounds like it could lead to problems in the future...there is always the possability, and I hear what you are saying, because im not "like that" either. but you never know. If its not going to cost you anything, I would go through with it, if you have some time to file.
But hang in there, ill be checking in on you...
lol about the partridge!
Only $19.95 said...
I got in a fender-bender. But we were on a motorcycle.
I was awarded 34,000. Re-paid the Air Force the 12,000 it spent on my recovery (which might have been a smidgen more damage than what you sustained), paid the lawyer *ouch* but ended up with about 12, 000 for me. All insurance. Plus the drugs and a month at home.
Your call. Was it worth it? You betcha.
Melinda said...
I was in an accident around 10 years ago in which, at the tender age of 23, only wanted to have my car fixed and my medical expenses paid. The other guy's insurance HOUNDED me until I just couldn't take the phone calls anymore! I called a personal injury firm that is all over the TV and they ended up paying 3x's more than they ever would have if they would have just left me alone. I stopped feeling badly when I realized that it was their own impatience & tactics that drove me to it. :)
Oh! And, when my neck went out again this year...I REALLY was glad I didn't pay for the treatment the first time.
said...
Even if you are feeling "OK" today, it may be another story in one week, a month or two. Our bodies react funny... I wish you well, but you WILL get a back and neck pain soon, and you will need therapy. It usually takes few months/a year to get better. I would get some help for sure.
The other person's insurance should pay for the treatment, but sometimes they refuse.
And remember to take pictures of any brusing and cuts you have - you never know what you may need in the future.