by fireyone » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:45 am
About 6 months ago I was invovled in a car accident. A lady driving too fast for weather conditions totaled my truck with her car and was cited on scene. My jaw was slightly disaligned for which I now wear a retainer at night, whiplash and right arm trauma (used it to block the airbag). What I thought was going to be a quick recovery turned into a nightmare. After months of Phy. therapy, chiropractic care and medical test I was finally diagnosed with RSD (chronic pain syndrome) in my right arm. It is still very swollen and slightly discolored and they say this is all the better it will get and may actually worsen in time. Tomorrow I go to the pain clinic to find ways to manage the pain. This coluldn't happened at a worse time since my husband and I was building a home and both HAD to be working. Now I am buries in finacial woes and get depressed thinking that it is really going to be never ending since my earning capacity is knocked to nothing. My right arm is my dominant one and my job requires a lot of lifting and physical ability (when and if I ever can do it again). I was released to light duty before being diagnosed with the RSD but my job was done for the year . I usually spend every winter working part time at a clothing store, then in the spring return to the greenhouse. Does anyone have any idea how long a claim like this will take to settle? I hear when your done doctoring but in my case that will never be. What is a amount that I can expect from this claim? I really need to shed some light down this dark hole.
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:01 pm Post Subject:
Does anyone have any idea how long a claim like this will take to settle?
First thing you need to do is check your states statute of limitations! You don't want to miss this...secondly more than likley this type of claim will/may run right up to the statute....after you see the pain doc you may be in a better place to re-evaluate re: are you ready to settle...I'll assume you have been in contact with the adjuster? do you have any idea of the 'at fault' parties BI limits? or are you in a pip state? Better let us know your state so we can try and figure out your options.....ps...so sorry
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 04:57 pm Post Subject: CAR WRECK
My state is PA. I haven't talked to an adjuster. I am letting an attorney handle this case since it is so complex. I would like to settle in the next year only because I have so much debt now due to my lost work. I'm sure my attorney would have the BI limits but I do not. I also don't know what a PIP state is...never been through this before. I was planning on calling my atty with an update after my appointment tomorrow. Thank you for your
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:07 am Post Subject:
Good to see you finally made it here fireyone, Hope you get the advise that you need on here, there are a lot of good people with great advice to offer, so I am sure you will be helped out. goodluck
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:08 am Post Subject:
My state is PA.
oh dear a complicated state! :roll: If memory serves this state is a choice no fault state....so will make a big difference what you have chosen, and the person that injured you...Really though if you have an attorney handling this for you, then you have all the info you need!
I will tell you that I checked and PA's statute of limitation on personal injury is 2years from the accident...so it cannot go on too long!
Please in a rush to clear up your financial problems don't settle your claim too quickly....your attorney will be able to advise you...there are such things as 'open ended releases' that allow for some follow up care once a settlement has been reached...(this could be state specific)....please let us know if we can offer any other help to you....since you have an attorney retained would be in your best interest to discuss specifics with him/her...
We are here for you if you need us....
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:18 am Post Subject: thanks
I'm going to call my atty today after the clinic and hopefully get to talk to him directly. Usually I am directed to a lady and after I asked her a questions she has to put me on hold and go ask herself. Thank You for all yourf help. Talk to ya soon.
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:25 am Post Subject:
Fireyone,
how long have you been going to the pain clinic and what are they doing for you? Is it helping?
I hope all works out in your favor, hopefully it will all turn around for you financially soon and you can enjoy your home.
Was anyone else in the vehicle with you?
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:07 pm Post Subject: pain clinic
I just started going to the clinic today. Now they want to do injections into my neck and send me for more tests in Pittsburgh. I fear that my medical will run out and it will fall back on my private insurance...which leaves me responsible for the deductables and co pays (20%) until settlement. Thats the real laugh because if she only had $15 000 then out of that I will have to pay atty fees, any medical bills I owe my private insurance and get my lost wages from that. apparently the lady's insurance company doesn't have to give my atty the bodily injury amount this "early" in the game. Now it leaves me to wonder if I'm going to be left with nothing but bills when this is all over. I could just quit now. Sick of the pain in my arm..going from doc to doc..test to test..all the garbage but if I don't want the RSD to totally disable my arm (which will happen) I have to keep going (on an empty emotional tank). All I wanted to do the night of the wreck was get some damn groceries and start my daughter"s savings account. Wishing I wouldn't have even got in my truck but I thank God I didn't take my car that evening..this probaly saved our lives..seeing what damage she did to a big truck. I have a good quetion if any could help me. Is my own auto insurance able to pay on the bodily injury... I suppose they call this sueing your own insurance. Not something I would feel comfortable doing but if its something that has to be done, guess it would have to just be a dog-eat-dog-world. Any help would be Appreciated. Thanks
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:11 pm Post Subject: wreck
Oh yes I forgot to answer one question.. My daughter who is 11 was with me. She only doctored for 1 month with mild abbrasions and slight whiplash. She made a full recovery. Another reason to be thankful for. She's my baby.
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:09 pm Post Subject:
Hope you and your daughter both make a full recovery or one that you can live with anyway, hopefully things will resolve themselves in your favor. I have been in accidents and I guess I was fortunate and only had minor injury and recovered fairly quickly.
I know this is all stressful to you, but hang in there it will all settle itself sooner or later, you should not be stuck with all those bills.
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:51 pm Post Subject:
apparently the lady's insurance company doesn't have to give my atty the bodily injury amount this "early" in the game.
true....Oh yes I forgot to answer one question.. My daughter who is 11 was with me. She only doctored for 1 month with mild abbrasions and slight whiplash. She made a full recovery. Another reason to be thankful for. She's my baby
Have you settled HER claim?Is my own auto insurance able to pay on the bodily injury... I suppose they call this sueing your own insurance.
No not for this (not ever for bodily injury persay)...Do you have UNDER insured motorist coverage by chance?Add your comment