Injured in auto accident.

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CRMH Eagle

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On Sun 08.07.11 I was rear-ended in my 2001 4Runner. I was doing about 10mph on the congested part of I-70 at Idaho Springs near Denver when someone in a GMC pickup hit me doing about 40mph while he was changing lanes. I then hit the driver in front of me, the guy in the pickup hit me again in the rear, and I hit the car in front of me for the second time... must've been bonus day cuz I got a 2 fer 1.

My reliable 4x4 4Runner which has traveled on ice, 1-2 feet of snow, through mountain streams, and over dangerous-white-knuckle-2000 foot dropoff-roads is totaled. My own insurance company is being a pain in not giving me the true value for my truck. Now I'm waiting to see if the liable insurance company will give me the right value.

In the accident I suffered 2 concussions, contusion, whip lash, and my neck and shoulder muscles are sprained. I've experienced insane migraines and head pain, short-term memory loss, inability to focus, slowness of speech and thought, and my head/neck/arms has 50% or less mobility. Head and neck pain in constant and the vicadin only takes away 80% of that. Even today my eyes are still blodshoot and glassy. I'm in the doctor's care along with physical therapy and seeing a neurologist. I was told the ct scan was normal but doc said it's not normal for concussion pain to last 3 weeks.

I have to use vacation days to take time off to recover. When I do go to work I'm only working 4-5 hrs a day. I am salaried but still I'm getting behind on work duties and now I'm concerned about losing my job if this continues. The days I do work it is painful and I'm putting in maybe 40% effort.

Though I have my 2007 FJR for sale I can't even ride it down the street for fun. People here have asked for my farkles buy I'm in too much pain to deal it. Looks like I will lower the price cuz I just can't deal with it now.

I'm curious if anyone here has similar experiences. Did you pursue legal remedies? Is it worth giving up 35% of a settlement in order for an experienced lawyer to handle the claim? I know that question sounds silly but I can't clearly write out the thoughts in my head...it's taking 30 mins to write this.

Thanks.

 
I'd say yes, get good legal representation. A good lawyer will know the details of how to deal with sluggish insurance companies who are trying very hard to limit payout amounts to you.

Sorry to hear about the accident. Life can be so unfair. Sucks. Hope you heal well and quickly.

 
Yup...Get an attorney. That will light a fire, and you will be better off in the end. It will also reduce some of the stress, which slows the healing process tremendously.

Also, don't ever refer to your crash as an accident again. Accidents are unavoidable. This was a crash!

 
Yup...Get an attorney. That will light a fire, and you will be better off in the end. It will also reduce some of the stress, which slows the healing process tremendously.

Also, don't ever refer to your crash as an accident again. Accidents are unavoidable. This was a crash!
Absolutely...this was an INCIDENT caused by someone who wasn't paying attention to traffic conditions and was over driving the safe operating limits of his vehicle, not an accident.

 
Keep a journal and document EVERYTHING!!!! I mean all the pain you have, the mileage back and forth to doctors appointment, time off of work, everything. This will help you in the long run.

Rick

 
1. SIGN NOTHING!

2. Lawyer up.

3. Be very aware of what you post up on internet forums.

4. My heart aches for ya. I hope you get back to normal soon, and the fecking 'insurance' peckerheads make things right for ya.

 
Lawyer, lawyer, lawyer.

Injury lawyers work with no retainer and collect fees only out of settlements they win for you.

Their settlements WILL be better than you can get for yourself, by much more than the 35 or 40 percent they keep for themselves.

Also, if you're looking at long-term disability, you really just can't handle that by yourself. You've already said that you're ready to accept lower for the bike just because you can't deal with it. That attitude will get you nowhere with the really important stuff, and that's the attitude you will have if you try this by yourself. "Fine, I'll take it, if this just goes away!" is not a good long-term strategy.

 
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!. Lawyer up !

2. Stop talking about it online !

At this time you are not thinking straight enough to take care of things. Get help from the professionals.
Trust me, I just finished with the fallout from the head on collision I had last summer. My attorney took care that things were done properly. He was worth every dollar.

smile.gif


Brodie

 
On Sun 08.07.11 I was rear-ended in my 2001 4Runner. I was doing about 10mph on the congested part of I-70 at Idaho Springs near Denver when someone in a GMC pickup hit me doing about 40mph while he was changing lanes.
You should seek legal help. Talk with lawyer before hiring them. They will often review it and give you a feel for the fee structure.

This last February something similiar happened to me, stopped in heavy traffic on SR-520, hit from behind at 50 mph and pushed me into the car in front. Totalled the car. The insurance company was a pain to deal with (market value of car rather true replacement). Talked with the lawyer and due to limited physical damage to me personally (Toyota's new anti-whiplash tech in the Camry worked well) he stated there was little he could add and gave me a list of things on how to handle the insurance company.

 
Heal up brother. I always hate hearing about people who are injured through no fault of their own. You already heard the choir, so I won't rehash what you should do. Best thoughts and good juju to you.

 
Sounds like some potentially long-lasting injuries there.

Settling too soon could prove to be financially devastating in the future.

.

As for your job; being tenured over a year you should qualify for FMLA.

That would secure your job pending medical outcome. Employer could not term under proper qualifications.

These are your shoes, but weigh suffering a bit financially now; to make sure that you have no long term effects and

you and your family are properly taken care of should you get worse medically.

.

Signing off to the insurance company w/o legal representation is not wise. IMO

Prayers for a speedy recovery.

 
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