Been in first car accident tonight - what do I need to do

lexilex

Was on my way out tonight with my boyfriend, going for a meal, and someone went into the back of my car.

She's took total responsibility, admitted it was her fault, she saw me slowing down but for some reason it didn't click that she should brake too. We got all her details, not who she's insured with though she couldn't remember. Luckily a Police Community Support Officer was going past at the time and he rang up and checked for us that she was insured. She said she will be able to give us the nameonce we ring her at home and she's had time to get paper work out.

I had neck and back pain so went to a+e, waited 3 hours for an xray, only to be told my the dr I didn't need one, apparently it's bruising and just to go home, so now I'm in agony.

What do I need to do next? I've only been driving literally a year and have no idea what I need to do. Do I need to ring there insurers, do I ring mine and do they sort it all out? I've no idea. The damage doesn't look that bad to my car (from the sound of the crash I though I had lost the back end of my car) but who knows what it's going to come to when it gets checked over. So basically whats my next move?

Oh, and I never did get any dinner, just waiting for a takeaway to come now!

beccam

Ring your insurers asap, give them all the details you have, if you have a number for her ring and get her insurers name, your insurance company will then do the rest, they usually give you a certain garage to take your car to for checks and to get work done. You may have to pay your initial excess but can then get it back when her insurers pay up.
If you have injury and want to pursue a personal injury claim you will most likely have to consult a private solicitor.

Conor_3

Nothing else to add other than write everything down you can remember, draw diagrams as well and keep a record of the PCSO's details.

lexilex

Thanks!

I don't know what to do about my neck and shoulders. Do I just inform the insurance that I've got pain there? If it's still hurting going to go to my gp on tuesday if I can get an appointment. Don't know if it's worth claiming for? At the moment I can't even dress myself, but hopefully it's gonna go down.

DirectDebacle

lexilex wrote: »

Thanks!

I don't know what to do about my neck and shoulders. Do I just inform the insurance that I've got pain there? If it's still hurting going to go to my gp on tuesday if I can get an appointment. Don't know if it's worth claiming for? At the moment I can't even dress myself, but hopefully it's gonna go down.

You probably have a 'whiplash' injury which is soft tissue damage. This happened to me in 1984. I am still suffering with it now. It was severe and will probably never heal. Chances are after a nights sleep you will feel bruising that is not evident now down your spine and back. I would suggest seeing your GP immediately. I know it is Saturday now and surgery may not be open. Alternatively if you feel bad go back to A&E they may well be able to supply a neckbrace (collar). Uncomfortable and not flattering to wear but your neck may need support to prevent further damage. Not trying to scare you but these injuries are often mis-diagnosed in terms of severity. As other posters have said get the other drivers insurance details and contact your own insurers asap after getting your neck seen to. Keep records of all medical consultations/hospital visits. The car is only a lump of metal which can be thrown away or repaired. Necks are not so easily dealt with. Good luck.

lexilex

This is exactly the sort of thing I'm worried about happening!

The doctor who looked at me the second time said it was just bruising to the muscle, and that it will feel worse tomorrow, so I said to him 'is it like whiplash then' and he said no, just bruising?

I don't want to go back to a&e tomorrow because he's warned me it's going to feel worse then anyway, but obviously I need to get intouch with the insurance company tomorrow so what do I tell them? Do I just say I've got severe pain in my neck and shoulders but am waiting for an appointment with my gp?

I'm so tired but can't get to sleep, still can't believe what happened.

jimmo

Sorry to hear that you have had your first accident. That really is a very traumatic experience. Unfortunately it is probably something you will have to get used to. I had my first accident a fortnight after I passed my test in 1965 and, yes, it was my fault. Over the years since then I have had about 10 or 12 accidents which were not my fault and 1 last year which was definitely my fault.
Unfortunately, a fairly common thing that has cropped up for me is that in the immediate aftermath of accidents the other driver has profusely apologised and openly admitted that it was all their fault but once the insurance procedures got under way the other driver’s story changed dramatically and suddenly I was being accused of doing all sorts of stupid and dangerous things.
On a couple of occasions the other driver has, mysteriously to me, produced independent witnesses who saw the whole thing and stated that the accident was definitely my fault.
I like to think that because I have always used quality insurers none of this has hit my pocket and despite last year’s accident which was definitely my fault I still have a full no claims discount.
If you can take a bit of advice from an old codger you really have to look at this as a bit of a game so far as you are concerned about the damage to your car.
It will get fixed.
However your personal health is far more important. In my early days of driving whiplash was unheard of and any aches and pains I suffered from accidents were easily cured by a few pints at my local and a good sleep.
If you have whiplash that can be a serious thing but if you fear that you have whiplash when you haven’t that can be even more damaging to your mind.
It‘s not easy but try to relax. It will all get sorted. That’s what insurance companies are there for.

^!£$&

I was in the same situation 18 months ago, someone went into the back of me, admitted it was their fault straight away, an ambulance was called- I was told nothing was broken but to see my gp by the medics on scene!
Thankfully my insurance company was fab sorted everything out for me, courtesy car, someone to pick my car up to take to garage, as I was in so much neck & back pain I coudn't move (and this all happened in my final year at uni good timing ehh)

Make sure you speak to you insurance company tell them all the details you have & they should take it from their!

With regards you your back/ neck pain!

I would say go to your local GP asap, if the receptionists try to fob you off explaing how much pain your in and that you cant move get dressed etc...
One you get to see GP I would ask for pain medication & ask them about excercises to help with the pain, or being referred to a Chiropractor!

Also if you dont have one already get someone to buy you a wheat bag (sold in checmists) which you warm in the microwave and place around your neck/ back I found this very soothing!

Wishing you all the best for speedy recovery! And dont worry too much you are insured and your not at fault so try to enjoy the holidays as best you can!!

lexilex

Rang the woman who hit me this morning, got her details, they don't really want to go through insurance, their excess is £400.

Rang my insurance, told them what was going on but wasn't sure if I'd be wanting to make a claim.

Rang NHS direct, who told me to go back to a&e. Don't really want to have to spend another day there if I can help it, so rang my drs and was put through to an out of hours gp, explained what had happened and what my injuries were and just waiting for them to get back to me now. Hopefully I'll just be able to go there and they'll be able to tell me whats wrong (god knows how I'm going to get there...) but if they tell me I need to go to a&e (again!) I'll go.

It's still hurting this morning, mostly my shoulder, like a burning sensation, but my necks still too.

Mojisola

lexilex wrote: »

Rang the woman who hit me this morning, got her details, they don't really want to go through insurance, their excess is £400.

Go through the proper channels. If you have problems with your neck, how are you going to get any compensation from an individual? As your neck is this bad, go through the insurance company.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

She hit you. Deal with it through your insurance. Frankly, !!!!!!!! to her. She should have been paying attention, perhaps if she was your neck wouldn't hurt.