I had a car accident
#323256 - 01/26/08 03:14 PM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Me and my brand new 2007 Pathfinder got rear ended in traffic this week.  The soccer dad's old 2001 minivan that hit me was totaled, but I drove away.
My back is killing me. And my poor new car!! I am equally mad about my back damage and my bumper damage. 
It happened during evening rush hour, and I filed a claim immediately and went to emergent care the next morning. Those stoopid doctors prescribed me next to nothing for the pain, and the prednisone they gave me for swelling made my stomach go out 1/2 an hour after I took it. 
So it's been lose-lose all around. I see the pain doctor on Tuesday to whine about my back. Now I have to get estimates on my car. Boooooo!
~nelly~
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Oh, I'm sorry to hear that! But thank God nothing worse happened to you! When you spoke with your insurance company you told them about your injury, right?
I feel your pain about your car, too. I was involved in a hit and run (a guy hit me and ran away) when my car was new, too. In fact, it was my first own brand new car ever! I could almost feel its pain! But it "healed" well and yours will too 
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IBS-C, bloating, cramps
pregnant
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Thanks Zara
#323266 - 01/26/08 06:10 PM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Thank you for your kind words! I did tell the insurance company I was getting checked out, and I made sure to pay with checks, to solidify a paper trail. In all it's cost me $145 for the doctor, and another $81 for medicine (I don't have health insurance). So that's sucked, but I should be getting that back.
The good thing is that my claim person called me back and said his determination was that it was the guy who hit me's fault. So yay.
I hope my back doesn't get worse though! I'd just as soon as be done with this whole mess! 
~nelly~
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So sorry to hear that Nelly. I hope you get to feeling better soon. {{{hugs}}}
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Nelly this sucks! I was in an accident last month. It can really shake your body up. Also sometimes you don't feel things until later - so its good you've gotten checked out. I was rear-ended years ago and got whiplash - minor, I didn't have to wear a brace or anything, but it came back several times. I was sorry I took the original settlement check for a few hundred dollars that I got from the other driver's insurance, because I had to keep going back for more treatments to deal with the neck pain. SO, take care of yourself even if you have to put it on a credit card. It sounds like you will be getting an insurance check, probably for more than your medical costs.
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Ladies & gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
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Hi Hawkeye
#323291 - 01/27/08 05:54 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Hawkeye! I see you've been here before! I hope your pain is better by this point. My neck and back just seem to get worse, but it's been 2 days, and I know to expect it to be bad at first.
I could really use some advice on how to proceed. Shall I see another doctor besides the emergent care one, like as a follow-up? My problem here is that I'm prescribed a handful of codeine from my PCP, and I don't want that in any insurance file. So I don't want to see my regular doc. They could always say I was driving impaired, which I wasn't, as I had nothing in my system bedsides some innocuous Imodium plus simethicone.
My idea is to go see a new doctor this week, get checked out, and then bill the person at fault, if I need rehab or long-term steroids/therapy, etc. My insurance has already determined it was his fault, and his insurance should get billed. I can get all those referrals through the new doctor, and not stress about having my old medical records get brought up. They can't say I have pre-existing conditions that way, I think.
How long were you in pain? Is it still lingering? I am annoyed at facing a new back problem at 36 that might be bothering me into middle age. I hate it that it happened, and when I get emotional thinking about all the red tape and frustration, it gives me a bit more anxiety... something I really don't need, having just started a stressful desk job on that precarious 3-month probation.
Skipping work for pain or paperwork is really not a good career move right now, while I'm expendable.
Any help or guidance you can give me would be extremely appreciated! {{{gentle hugs}}} Thanks for the input!
~nelly~
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Hey Nelly,
I just got in a car accident last weekend. It was the first major one I had ever been in, and it was quite scary. A huge Ford Explorer cut into my lane without even looking, and I barely had time to put my brakes on before we collided. His car had hardly any damage, just some scratches to his rim, while my car (little Toyota Corolla) had the whole right front bumper hanging off, the headlight smashed, and the hood pushed up so the engine was exposed. The thing that really sucked is that when the police showed up, the other driver lied and said he was already stopped when I hit him! I was pissed. And then when my insurance agency assessed the damage on my car, it was deemed a "total loss". So now I have to find a way to get another car . Not to mention the stress of the situation caused an IBS flare that I am still suffering from. So I totally emphasize with you. I hope you get some money from your insurance, and I hope you are feeling better really soon!
Julie
IBS-D, GERD, lactose intolerant
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"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
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Have you considered a lawyer? It might seem extreme for a "small" accident, but I think most would not charge you, they'd take a cut of your settlement. Accident lawyers don't exactly have a great reputation - you know all the ambulance-chaser jokes, etc. but its probably worth calling one or two and hearing what they have to say.
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Ladies & gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
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Poor Nelly!
Sorry to hear!!
I hope your back feels better soon and the dr. prescribes something stronger.
Hope you have a good body shop!! I recommend where my brother works here, but it's too long a trip for you to get the truck here!!
HUGS!
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Cassandra
Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like you've never loved before.
IBS A 20+ years, Chronic Migraines, Chiari Malformation (decompressed June 22, 2010), Brachial Neuritis, and ??? the list just keeps growing, but I'm still shiny side up!
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Oh, I'm so sorry. I hope you're feeling better. Back pain sucks. It's the worst!! I've injured my back several times so I feel for you.
BIG HUGS coming your way!
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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Well, that just plain sucks. I hope the back doesn't get too bad. I think a new doctor would be best and yes, I would go for a follow up appt just in case, better to have it documented. Take a hot bath and try to relax a bit. Love and hugs
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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You poor thing!! I hope you are feeling better. I have suffered for years with back pain, so I know how awful it is. Good luck, and lots of hugs!!!
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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I was in an accident a few years ago. I used my own health insurance and went to an orthopedic doctor. Some will do medical liens against your settlement, but my doc (and I) preferred to use my Blue Cross. When all was settled Blue Cross was reimbursed (lawyer negotiated a settlement with them). I was already taking pain meds (vicodin) and had preexisting problems, but the accident made my neck worse and I also had low back pain and some disc damage. It didn't seem to be a problem with the settlement. I didn't get a lawyer for 1 1/2 years. Was hoping to settle with the other person's insurance company myself, but they weren't very responsive, so I finally did get a lawyer. I wish I would have gotten the lawyer sooner as dealing with the insurance company was a pain. They were not nice and kept changing claim agents on me.
Your own insurance company might pay some medical. Mine paid $2,000 as that was my policy limit then. All I had to do was send them the bills. If you are really feeling crummy do see an orthopedist and get checked out. Exam, x-rays, maybe MRI. The other insurance company will be anxious to settle as fast as possible for as little as possible, especially since their client is at fault. They will offer you a settlement. My husband was offered $250 after an accident when he said he bumped his arm and took an aspirin and was okay. The amount of property damage (to the car) also influences the personal injury settlement. When I was hit, my car sustained $12,000 damage. I was lucky that I wasn't injured more.
I found my lawyer from the chiropractor I went to (in addition to the orthopedic and physical therapy and neurologist). I don't know if I would recommend him but as far as personal injury lawyers go he probably is not too bad. I got a better settlement than I would have gotten on my own. Also I didn't have to hassle with the stupid insurance company any more. Plus using my own insurance and then reimbursing, I got great care. I know some people get their care from docs who take medical liens (usually the lawyer refers to them). But if you have insurance it is better to go with it.
I hope this info helps, and I hope you feel better.
Susie
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Sorry this happened Nelly.... i've not read the whole post so I don't know if you've gotten estimates for repair or if your feeling better.... but wanted say I'm thinkin of ya!
Take care of YOU!
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www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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