Car crash injuries - what should I do?
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garythehutch
Posts: 51 Forumite
Hi all
A few weeks ago, I was heading home in a taxi after a night out and was hit from the side by (what I feel was a drunk girl). Her car was a write off. The accident was 100% her fault. I didn't have any pain there and then.
I walked away. The taxi driver swapped her details, and so did I. The taxi called me the next day and told me he has passed my details onto the girls insurance.
I started to get pain in the side of my neck, and the middle of my back (putting a shirt on hurt for example). Howeer, I got some tightness in my lower back, where I had successful spinal surgery some years ago.
A couple of days later I got a call from her insurer who asked about the details, and I explained the above. She asked "Has this accident made your back worse?" I said I couldn't say either way, because my durgery was 100% successful and I was pain free, and I can only say now I am having pain where I had my operation. She said she would pass my details onto another department due to this factor.
A few days later, I get another call from this department. Went through the same story. She asked if I had any time off work. I was honest and said no, but this was because I'm self-employed contractor and if i don't work, I don't get paid - which I can't afford to do. I could also potentially be let go. I work in an office, so there is no manual labour involved, but taking time off would really hurt financially.
She put me on hold, came back, and offered me £2,500 as an immediate settlement. Followed up with an email confirming. I said I would have to think about accpeting it - as if I need surgery and time off work, I could potentially lose a lot of money. She said she understood, and would call back in a couple of weeks.
I am thinking of going to the doctors and asking for an MRI... but I also would be happy accepting a substantially higher offer.
What advice does anyone have? Shall I just wait for a higher offer? Can I negotiate this? Shall I get an MRI first?
A few weeks ago, I was heading home in a taxi after a night out and was hit from the side by (what I feel was a drunk girl). Her car was a write off. The accident was 100% her fault. I didn't have any pain there and then.
I walked away. The taxi driver swapped her details, and so did I. The taxi called me the next day and told me he has passed my details onto the girls insurance.
I started to get pain in the side of my neck, and the middle of my back (putting a shirt on hurt for example). Howeer, I got some tightness in my lower back, where I had successful spinal surgery some years ago.
A couple of days later I got a call from her insurer who asked about the details, and I explained the above. She asked "Has this accident made your back worse?" I said I couldn't say either way, because my durgery was 100% successful and I was pain free, and I can only say now I am having pain where I had my operation. She said she would pass my details onto another department due to this factor.
A few days later, I get another call from this department. Went through the same story. She asked if I had any time off work. I was honest and said no, but this was because I'm self-employed contractor and if i don't work, I don't get paid - which I can't afford to do. I could also potentially be let go. I work in an office, so there is no manual labour involved, but taking time off would really hurt financially.
She put me on hold, came back, and offered me £2,500 as an immediate settlement. Followed up with an email confirming. I said I would have to think about accpeting it - as if I need surgery and time off work, I could potentially lose a lot of money. She said she understood, and would call back in a couple of weeks.
I am thinking of going to the doctors and asking for an MRI... but I also would be happy accepting a substantially higher offer.
What advice does anyone have? Shall I just wait for a higher offer? Can I negotiate this? Shall I get an MRI first?
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Comments
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Have you not been to the doctors at all? Even though you have a concern you may need surgery?0
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Not yet. I can't get an appointment... just been told to call back tomorrow. (My local doctors is terrible for this... but that is another story).0
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Ka-ching!!0
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I understand your point. The accident and injury sound terrible. It's never fun to be in a car accident after a good night out. The £2500 offer could at a first glance seem good, but if the injury becomes worse there could be costs that exceed this sum in the long run. I advise you to get a medical report that state your injuries. This is your evidence that the car accident caused the injury. Otherwise, nothing speaks for your case.0
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garythehutch wrote: »What advice does anyone have? Shall I just wait for a higher offer? Can I negotiate this? Shall I get an MRI first?
You need to speak to a doctor and a solicitor, what do you think about no-win-no-fee companies.
If the car was a right-off, you will likely get some cash. If you havnt seen a doctor already or been to A+E, most people will think you are ok.
How long ago did it happen?0 -
If this happened weeks ago and you still haven't been to a doctor/hospital then you aren't helping your compensation claim chances at all.
Do it today!
Discuss this with a specialist injury claim solicitors firm rather than the 3rd party insurer - you can see the clash of interest they have!
if you may have to lose income over this then £2500 won't cover that, never mind your compensation!0
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