Whiplash

[Braciola]

Got rear ended in my car by a young lady in her SUV going 45mph Monday night while I was slowing to a stop for the car in front of me to make a turn.......ouch! :cry:

Spent the night in the ER with back & neck pain.
Xrays showed no fractures (thank God) but I do have whiplash pretty bad.

Really scary experience, and a big reality check.
Starting to appreciate all the good in my life, and not to take that good for granted.

Never realized how painful whip lash can be.
Anyone ever go through this?
They got me on muscle relaxers and pain meds that just take the edge off, but still in a lot of pain.

I'm considering getting an attourney to represent my case before making any statements to the insurance company/s, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
Any thoughts?

[dimpler]

Got rear ended in my car by a young lady in her SUV going 45mph Monday night while I was slowing to a stop for the car in front of me to make a turn.......ouch! :cry:

Spent the night in the ER with back & neck pain.
Xrays showed no fractures (thank God) but I do have whiplash pretty bad.

Really scary experience, and a big reality check.
Starting to appreciate all the good in my life, and not to take that good for granted.

Never realized how painful whip lash can be.
Anyone ever go through this?
They got me on muscle relaxers and pain meds that just take the edge off, but still in a lot of pain.

I'm considering getting an attourney to represent my case before making any statements to the insurance company/s, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
Any thoughts?


If you can afford one, do it. Too many people driving with their heads up their...

[chaz]

Don't say anything to an insurance company without knowing the true extent of your injury. Those injuries are notorious for being troublesome, and a serious one can be a long term problem. Don't let them push you to lump an injury settlement in along with any property damage settlement.

[Doodad]

Get an attorney first. Second, do not sign anything without advice of attorney. Third, get an MRI.

I did not do these things and paid with years of pain and a surgery bill. Fine now, but I could have been much better. BTW, it took a year or so for the herniated disk to rear its ugly head.

[EADGBE]

Anyone ever go through this?


Yeah I went through this about six years ago. I was sitting still at a red light when an elderly lady ran into the back of my car. I had headaches for a couple of weeks. And my memory isn't quite as good as it was. It didn't hurt my car. But yeah my back hurt a lot. They wanted to do all kinds of ultrasound treatments but I wouldn't let them. I read that sometimes it makes it worse. I have a little sciatic numbness in my left leg. Just a little advice. Don't do a lot of exercises. I think walking may be best. But try not lift or carry anything heavy for a while. And stay away from chiropractors. Long story short I seldom get back pain now.They wanted to do an MRI. But I heard it was really loud and I passed. If you're hurt bad see a lawyer.

[Doodad]

Don't forget to have your attorney subpeona the cell phone records of the person who caused the accident. 10 to 1 she was on the phone and/or texting. Please make it very painful for them so they will never do it again. The person who hit me was on the phone late for a new job.

[cob666]

Under most circumstances I would try to keep a lawyer out of it but when you start dealing with insurance companies you most definitely WANT to have a personal injury lawyer on your side. In general an insurance company will do everything it can to minimize the amount of money it needs to payout and this usually ends up being what you think is a nice chunk for a settlement but this prevents you from seeking any further recourse if your situation doesn't get any better.

So, if you're really injured you need a lawyer.

[jaycee]

I got a whiplash type injury from a fall once. I slipped on ice and landed HARD. I was suprised the fillings didn't fall out of my top teeth. I woke the next morning and tried to move and i heard this sound. It took a moment to realize that the sound was me shouting from pain. I forgot all about the fall teh night before. Takes a long time to heal. Go to therapy.

[Scumback Speakers]

My ex g/f & I were rear ended by an inebriated illegal alien 33 years ago in her truck at a stop sign. Olds 98 Custom going 45 mph vs Datsun pickup truck stopped at a stop sign. Of course we lost. I was looking ahead, she was turned towards me asking me a question. She still has pain (last I heard 20 years ago) in her neck.

There wasn't anything we could do, no insurance, guy got deported, etc.

So get tested, MRI'd, and get yourself a lawyer first, talk to the insurance companies (including your own) last. I found this out through bitter experience in other accidents where people hit me.

[Cobb]

Get a lawyer. A lawyer will make sure you are fairly compensated.

Take your time. Sometimes the most severe pain does not show up until a few days/weeks after the accident. I have seen people tell the insurance companies "oh, I'm fine, it was no big deal". Then the real pain starts and they have no case.

Same thing with pain meds. I understand nobody wants to be in pain and they help with the initial inflammation that is present. So, I am not saying don't take them. But I have also seen people who took heavy pain meds for 2-3 weeks after the accident and obviously they felt no pain. The settled with the insurance companies and just assumed that when they stopped the meds in 3 weeks they would be pain free. That is not always the case.

[Braciola]

Thanks guys.

I decided to have a lawyer represent me.
I'm in too much pain and stressed out to worry about dealing with the insurance company.

[Jiffy_Jeff]

Yeah I went through this about six years ago. I was sitting still at a red light when an elderly lady ran into the back of my car. I had headaches for a couple of weeks. And my memory isn't quite as good as it was. It didn't hurt my car. But yeah my back hurt a lot. They wanted to do all kinds of ultrasound treatments but I wouldn't let them. I read that sometimes it makes it worse. I have a little sciatic numbness in my left leg. Just a little advice. Don't do a lot of exercises. I think walking may be best. But try not lift or carry anything heavy for a while. And stay away from chiropractors. Long story short I seldom get back pain now.They wanted to do an MRI. But I heard it was really loud and I passed. If you're hurt bad see a lawyer.

I have had an MRI and Ultrasounds and never had a bad experience.

As far as passing on a procedure that could benefit someone greatly because they "heard" it was loud is just plain silly.

And as far as the above advice on not exercising etc.. I would toss that in the circular file.

See a doctor, get the tests done.

[shando98]

Talk to the insurance, give them your statement. When they make an offer on your injury, tell them you'd like to treat for a while before settling. You have 2 years to settle, so take your time. Keep in mind that an attorney will get a portion of EVERYTHING. Even your P.I.P. from your policy.

When you negotiate with the insurance just tell them that you want your medical bills paid (both meds incurred, and open meds for future treatment), compensation for any lost wages, and for your pain and suffering to be recognized. Regardless of what their first offer is, tell them no. Wait a few days and give them a counter offer and tell them you'd really like to handle this without an attorney. If you're still not satisfied with their offer, lawyer up. Just remember that the statute of limitations is 2 years, so be sure to handle it within that time frame.

Also know that insurance companies will settle your medical bills for less than what was invoiced. Attorneys will too. Make sure that if the medical bills are $5,000 and the attorney gets it negotiated to $2300 that you get your cut of the difference. I'm telling you to be very careful when dealing with an attorney. They are out for their best interest, not yours.

[ProgLuv]

I have been though this also. I still have neck problems from almost 10 years ago...
Get open medicals for sure!

shando98's advice is spot on.
Also, try to find a GOOD chiropractor that really knows how to employ manual traction and adjustment.
Many chiros just want to do a little heat and ultrasound without ever even actually stretching or adjusting
the neck and cervical disks. Someone that treats a athletes would be a good place to start.

Take Magnesium every day to help relax the nerves and muscles and get some MSM.
Valerian root will help to relax you also.
Good luck