Two weeks ago, when I was picking up my daughter on the first day of school another mom rear-ended me and HARD. To make matters worse, she jumped out of her enormous SUV and read me the riot-act, telling me it was MY fault, because she thought I had already pulled out. Never apologized once. Anyways, she did about $1000 of damage to the rearend of my car (bent the frame) so that my trunk bubbles up a little. Actually, my car doesn't look bad at all, my problem is that my back has been killing me, nonstop 24/7.
I called her insurance (Wauwanesa) the next morning, and told them I was having constant back & neck pain. They told me she had admitted it was her fault, and to see a doctor/chiropractor, and they would reimburse me for my expenses. So, I found a chiropractor and I've been going 3 times a week for the last couple of weeks, and it is improving some -- but I still live on Motrin day & night.
When the insurance claims guy called me yesterday, I asked him about my not being able to work. I'm a substitute teacher and I've had to turn down jobs day after day because I can't stand up very long without terrible back pain. As a Sub I have no paid sick leave, so I am only paid when I work. The agent explained "the process" is that once my chiropractor and I feel I'm able to go back to work, we tally up all the bills, income lost, etc. and "we" (don't know exactly who this "we" is -- the Wawanesa agent & I?) agree upon a "settlement" amount. Meanwhile, they are in the process of cutting me a check for the $1000 car repair (written estimate from their repair guy). But, the car is almost 10 years old, has 130,000 miles, and a rusting paint. It's not worth putting even $1000 into.
I've never been through anything like this before, and I wonder if any Tuggers can give me any advice on this. Beyond my lost income, which is now starting into the 3rd week, and the chiropractor bills --- I've had "pain and suffering" big time. How do I calculate that? I couldn't go out to dinner on my anniversary... I couldn't enjoy Labor Day weekend at the beach (all I could do was lay there -- no bikes, no sunset walks -- I was just miserable the whole 3 days). I really feel like I've been robbed!
I been asking people I know, and one friend told me that when her husband hit someone the insurance company told him, that anything under $10,000 they just "settle". She says they guy they hit sued and got $10,000. But I don't have an attorney, or even know one. And I'd really rather not get involved with one -- but I do want to be compensated. It didn't help matters when the woman hopped out & chewed me out when she was clearly wrong. The big thing is that now I need to replace the car, and for about $5,000 I could get a very nice used Honda Civic or Accord.
Anyone have advice for me? I've been hit before, but never injured -- so, I'm not sure how to proceed. Thanks!
-- Rene
I called her insurance (Wauwanesa) the next morning, and told them I was having constant back & neck pain. They told me she had admitted it was her fault, and to see a doctor/chiropractor, and they would reimburse me for my expenses. So, I found a chiropractor and I've been going 3 times a week for the last couple of weeks, and it is improving some -- but I still live on Motrin day & night.
When the insurance claims guy called me yesterday, I asked him about my not being able to work. I'm a substitute teacher and I've had to turn down jobs day after day because I can't stand up very long without terrible back pain. As a Sub I have no paid sick leave, so I am only paid when I work. The agent explained "the process" is that once my chiropractor and I feel I'm able to go back to work, we tally up all the bills, income lost, etc. and "we" (don't know exactly who this "we" is -- the Wawanesa agent & I?) agree upon a "settlement" amount. Meanwhile, they are in the process of cutting me a check for the $1000 car repair (written estimate from their repair guy). But, the car is almost 10 years old, has 130,000 miles, and a rusting paint. It's not worth putting even $1000 into.
I've never been through anything like this before, and I wonder if any Tuggers can give me any advice on this. Beyond my lost income, which is now starting into the 3rd week, and the chiropractor bills --- I've had "pain and suffering" big time. How do I calculate that? I couldn't go out to dinner on my anniversary... I couldn't enjoy Labor Day weekend at the beach (all I could do was lay there -- no bikes, no sunset walks -- I was just miserable the whole 3 days). I really feel like I've been robbed!
I been asking people I know, and one friend told me that when her husband hit someone the insurance company told him, that anything under $10,000 they just "settle". She says they guy they hit sued and got $10,000. But I don't have an attorney, or even know one. And I'd really rather not get involved with one -- but I do want to be compensated. It didn't help matters when the woman hopped out & chewed me out when she was clearly wrong. The big thing is that now I need to replace the car, and for about $5,000 I could get a very nice used Honda Civic or Accord.
Anyone have advice for me? I've been hit before, but never injured -- so, I'm not sure how to proceed. Thanks!
-- Rene