car accident

[GeordieWife 1]

Hi everyone. I got rear ended on Sunday night. I'm basically OK....whiplash and all though. I went to 'K clinic' the other night just to get checked out. I have very little cash til payday and they don't require any money up front. I had called my GP and a couple of other clinics, they all wanted payment in full at time of service as they don't do third party claims. I got an Rx for anti inflammatories, pain, and muscle relaxers. But..this clinic is very far from my house...an hour and half a way. They want me to come back three times a week for physical therapy. It is very difficult for me to take of work that often as I am a high school nurse and have 2000 kids I'm caring for...when I take off I have to arrange for my own substitute. I'm basically on my death bed if I ever miss work. No one else near me will take a third party claim for therapy either. I'm a little distraught. I'm not sure I need PT three times a week either..while I'm sore, and stiff, not sure I need all that business. Has anyone been through this before and have any advice? I'm tempted to settle with the insurance company...they're fixing my car fortunately it wasn't totalled. I'm a little nervous that my neck will have problems later on...not sure what to do. I want to do the right thing, and be honest, and not suck the insurance company dry (this drives EVERYONE's rates up). But I want to do what's right for myself too. I'm a single mom (not for long hopefully!), and live paycheck to paycheck.

Here's my car

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Sorry to hear about the accident and I'm glad you are basically alright, although whiplash is no fun.

In 1995 I was in an accident and had whiplash as well. I also had a badly strained rotator cuff. While the doctor suggested physio therapy and I tried it for a while, what I found worked much better was my chiropractor. I made little progress with physio but once I started the chiropractic treatments (which included accu-point pressure and ultrasonic stimulation) along with the adjustments, I began to respond quickly. I think it was about 4 months of treatment which was covered by my auto insurance. You may be able to find a chiropractor close to where you work/live who can help you on a treatment by treatment basis, or will accept the third party insurance.

There is some residual 'weakness' in the neck area that has required fairly regular adjustments, but that is it. Hope this information is of use and good luck in your return to good health.

Edited November 10, 2007 by Kathryn41

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Wow, Lisa! The damage looks extensive! I wouldn't settle with the insurance company until you get a clean bill of health from your doctor and make sure they pay for all your medical expenses. I'd even consider getting a lawyer if the insurance company drags its feet.

[almaty 19]

i agree with brother stevie..insurance companies are like sharks..they look for a weakness...be careful..and make certain all your med. bills are paid and your car is repaired...

[Ban Hammer 13,443]

what in the world ran into you?

glad to hear you are ok.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

glad you're mostly OK. it looks like the car absorbed quite a bit of the impact.

[Meriem_DZ 37]

I was involved in a high speed rear end collision in August. Link to thread and pics about my wreck. I was in the same boat as you. No insurance and everyone wanted money up front. The guy that hit us did not have insurance so my uninsured motorist insurance had to take care of everything. I went to my insurance company and talked to the adjuster. He told me of one Dr that he had sent other people to that would accept the payments from the insurance. I also got physical therapy at our local hospital. They provide a 60 % discount to uninsured patients and I turned the bill over to my insurance company. My insurance has paid over 2000 dollars to the Dr's and the hospital in a timely manner. I am not taking physical therapy anymore, but I am still having problems with my neck. I am suppose to go back to the Dr in 2 weeks.

Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Meriem

[JanaknJanet 0]

As a Acupuncturist.. I deal alot with MVA (motor vehicle accident) cases. I bill out for Insurances..

Depending on the LAWs of your state.. will depend allowed length of treatments.. outside of fighting for more if necessary.

Here in Oregon we have a PIP Law.. Personal Injury Protection... it is required for your insurance ..

This way if you are hurt in a accident your insurance will pay for your treatments they in turn go after the other person or their insurance for their re-reimbursements. Here in Oregon the injured party has one year for treatment. If the person is still recuperating past this time it is negotiated or the party has a lawyer intervening.

I have had patients in all different situations... fault .. not at fault.. insured and non insured.. hit and run.. etc.. I have had a few that hired lawyers and have had extensive treatments from not only myself but Orthopedics, physical therapist .. and treatments lasting over the one year time period.

My suggestion for you and ANYONE in any accident..

Dont ever just let it go... once swelling from trauma.. or the endorphins.. or cortisones decrease.. the pain will be there.. if someone hit you... don't ever diminish it..

Call your insurance company see what benefits you have.. tell them you dont have the money to pay up front...

MANY MANY MANY medical offices do bill insurance companies especially for MVA. And in those situations. it is NOT covered via your private medical insurance... ..

If you use your private insurance.. 9outa10 times they take your co-pay.. and also bill FULL the cost to the insurance company...

Talk to your agent.. see if they can refer you to a clinic in your area.

Best of luck..

[Sand 5]

Thank god u are Ok.

[JAYKE 0]

Wow, Lisa! The damage looks extensive! I wouldn't settle with the insurance company until you get a clean bill of health from your doctor and make sure they pay for all your medical expenses. I'd even consider getting a lawyer if the insurance company drags its feet.

From someone who spent years as a claims adjuster, I feel compelled to clear up a big misconception -the part about making sure they pay for all expenses. As for third party claims, in nearly all states, the "other guy's" insurance cannot and will not pay for ongoing treatment up front. It's only after all treatment is done can they consider settling the claim based on the medical bills ("specials") presented at the END of treatment.

It appears Lisa's main concern right now is getting her meds paid upfront. That, unfortunately, will not be done by the third-party insurer. Her best and only option, if she does not want to pay out of pocket, is to see if she has any Medpay under her own policy, or to go through her health insurance. In both cases, they will pay upfront then submit their own claim to the other guy's insurance which will be paid once treatment is complete and ready to settle.

It is a HUGE misconception that the other guy's insurance will pay as you go for treatment. This allows the injured party to "milk" the system by overtreating, etc. Plus, the adjuster needs to see the notes, etc., to see if treatment is appropriate, and if neccessary go through a peer review, etc. It's unfortunate for those honest people, but you'd be AMAZED at how many crooked chiropractors, lawyers, etc., there are who have under the table agreements to "pad the specials" to inflate claim value.

In Lisa's case, the other guy is clearly at fault, and she will ultimately get paid for all appropriate treatment, but the adjuster is REQUIRED to see the treatment and evaluate it. I've had people in car accidents submit ER bills that have charges for STD tests, etc. Hardly related to the car accident.

As for getting a lawyer, it may help, it may not. If your injuries are severe and treatment will extend past your state's statute of limitations, I'd definitely get one, because suit would need to be filed to preserve the claim. However, an attorney cannot force a third party carrier to pay bills prior to the settlement of the claim.

Edited November 10, 2007 by JAYKE

[GeordieWife 1]

Wow, very good advice...I'll call my insurance carrier. I do have PIP. I am very sore, but functional....I've worked all week after this and seem to have full range of motion. It's just stiff and painful. The other guy was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo btw. He only broke his headlight. He was rubbernecking a larger accident that occured at the intersection. sigh....nothing is ever easy is it???

[Kevin and 10]

Wow, Lisa! The damage looks extensive! I wouldn't settle with the insurance company until you get a clean bill of health from your doctor and make sure they pay for all your medical expenses. I'd even consider getting a lawyer if the insurance company drags its feet.

Don't sign off on with the insurance until everything is clean. Problems may not occur until a year later. I got hit last year and it was a month or two before I started to feel anything. I ended up going to a Chiropractor for adjustments and treatments. Insurance paid for all of it.

[Jasman0717 9]

Scary stuff

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Wow, Lisa! The damage looks extensive! I wouldn't settle with the insurance company until you get a clean bill of health from your doctor and make sure they pay for all your medical expenses. I'd even consider getting a lawyer if the insurance company drags its feet.

From someone who spent years as a claims adjuster, I feel compelled to clear up a big misconception -the part about making sure they pay for all expenses. As for third party claims, in nearly all states, the "other guy's" insurance cannot and will not pay for ongoing treatment up front. It's only after all treatment is done can they consider settling the claim based on the medical bills ("specials") presented at the END of treatment.

It appears Lisa's main concern right now is getting her meds paid upfront. That, unfortunately, will not be done by the third-party insurer. Her best and only option, if she does not want to pay out of pocket, is to see if she has any Medpay under her own policy, or to go through her health insurance. In both cases, they will pay upfront then submit their own claim to the other guy's insurance which will be paid once treatment is complete and ready to settle.

It is a HUGE misconception that the other guy's insurance will pay as you go for treatment. This allows the injured party to "milk" the system by overtreating, etc.

I wasn't suggesting that she'd expect them to pay up front, and I realize that puts the financial burden on the victim of the accident, which is unfortunate. As for milking the system...LOL...no offense but my family has had its run in with an insurance company who refused to pay until we hired a lawyer and sued them. While there maybe abuse on the side of crash victims, there are plenty of cases where it's the insurance company that's making out on the deal.

Edited November 11, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[GeordieWife 1]

Wow, Lisa! The damage looks extensive! I wouldn't settle with the insurance company until you get a clean bill of health from your doctor and make sure they pay for all your medical expenses. I'd even consider getting a lawyer if the insurance company drags its feet.

From someone who spent years as a claims adjuster, I feel compelled to clear up a big misconception -the part about making sure they pay for all expenses. As for third party claims, in nearly all states, the "other guy's" insurance cannot and will not pay for ongoing treatment up front. It's only after all treatment is done can they consider settling the claim based on the medical bills ("specials") presented at the END of treatment.

It appears Lisa's main concern right now is getting her meds paid upfront. That, unfortunately, will not be done by the third-party insurer. Her best and only option, if she does not want to pay out of pocket, is to see if she has any Medpay under her own policy, or to go through her health insurance. In both cases, they will pay upfront then submit their own claim to the other guy's insurance which will be paid once treatment is complete and ready to settle.

It is a HUGE misconception that the other guy's insurance will pay as you go for treatment. This allows the injured party to "milk" the system by overtreating, etc.

I wasn't suggesting that she'd expect them to pay up front, and I realize that puts the financial burden on the victim of the accident, which is unfortunate. As for milking the system...LOL...no offense but my family has had its run in with an insurance company who refused to pay until we hired a lawyer and sued them. While there maybe abuse on the side of crash victims, there are plenty of cases where it's the insurance company that's making out on the deal.

I agree Steven with you....the insurance company offered me a settlement that they proposed BEFORE they actually saw my car. 2000$ max for medical within the next 60 days, and 750$ pain and suffering, plus the price of them fixing the car (estimated about 5,400$). Now, if you ask me....I may need medical attention for more than just the next two months, if it comes down to physical therapy $2000 won't go very far...am I right? pain and suffering...well this has been a huge pain in the neck (pun very intended). One of my fatal flaws is being 'too nice'....someone advise me here..can I counter this offer myself without consulting an attorney? I don't want to feed into the whole ambulance chasing system. But I want to make sure I'm not going to be stuck with bills because I settled for less than I deserve! One week out and I'm still sore, but it's not enough pain to prevent me from going to work...it's just annoying.