Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 2/13/2010

Question
I am a 30 year old single mother of 3, one of which has a chronic illness. I served in the military (active duty) currently in the National Guard and going to school full time. I was healthy as a horse.  In July 09 I was a passenger of a stopped car in GA on I75. We were rear ended by a 19 year old and forced to hit the person in front of us. We have reason to believe she was texting when she hit us. At least that is what we hear her tell her mother, while standing on the side of the road. We drove to the ER, doctor gave meds sent us on our way.
Once we returned home I had to return to ER. I begin to have tingling, burning sensation, numbness and a lot of pain. Had x-ray of neck and shoulders and was told I had whiplash. I've had a MRI, EEG, CT, x-rays, blood work and nothing other than a straight neck. Lately I have been having swollen in my left scapula, still weak. I cannot sit up or stand for a long period of time and since the car accident I've had hardly any sleep. I don’t do much driving and I think everyone is going to hit me when I am in a car as a passenger. I guess because we actually seen her coming really fast before hitting us.
Medication includes 3 different pain killers, 2 muscle relaxers, Nerve meds, sleeping meds. I did 6 months of PT, twice a week. My doctor is now sending me to mental health, PT again, but pool therapy, pain management; once I am done I will be sent to an orthopedic.
I am in the process of trying to relocate, to seek work in the mid-west.
I was think I could start talking of settling. Mainly because of the relocation and it will take a minute before returning to treatment and I don’t want to run out of time.
My insurance company is paying a few bills; I am using VA and private medical insurance for most of the bills
Expenses
Gas and mileage -    $1419.18
Medication -       $1060.87
Bills-         $18000.00 +
Work-         $3410.00
Services-      $6250.00
Tuition-         $3850.00 (I got behind in last quarter and failed all 3 classes.



Prior to the accident, about a week, my 5 year old had just had 2 brain surgeries within 36 hours of each other. Later, in August and October my daughter has got the pneumonia. Which I have a statement from her doctor supporting that. I have all supporting documents already.

I need to know about how to handle this. What is too much or too less?

Answer
Hi Tyeashia,

You can go to a website: www.collisionwizard.com . This website will help you put together a demand package after you enter all of the information about your accident, the damage to your car and the injuries and treatment you sustained. It will even provide a high and low value of your claim so you know what your claim is worth. You develope your demand package and then send it to the insurance company. Then you will need to be prepared to negotiate. If at anytime you feel you are not being treated fairly, you should seek the advice of an injury attorney.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh