Expert: Anne - 3/5/2011

Question
I was rear ended by a car while I was sitting at a red light. I went to the ER and had a severe case of whiplash along with a neck sprain and back strain. The visit was $3,352. The pain of the injuries along with the headache have not gone away.

I went to the doctor's office today. They gave me higher doses in both pain killers and muscle relaxers. The doctor also wrote me a referral to a physical therapist. She also wants the reads and screens from my visit to the emergency because she is concerned about my severe case of whiplash. She said it's one of the worst she's seen. She also believes the popping in my jaw is from the accident. She said something about inflammation in my jaw from the accident along with me sleeping on it has caused my jaw to produce the popping noise. During the x-rays at the E.R. I was asked if my jaw felt okay when they were taking pictures and then again after so maybe they seen something but just didn't tell me.. so she wants the reads and the screens.

What should be my next course of action? Do I call the insurance people to update them? It's been close to 3 weeks since we talked. Do I try to settle now or go to the therapy and finish the medicine first or wait til the doctor gets the medical reads from the E.R. visit? Just tryna figure out where do I go from here? The steps.

Thanks

Answer

Hello Brandon,

Well, You want to make sure everything is heal before you make a settlement move. Remember that you get one settlement so if you settle before all is better, you basically lose all your rights.

You can try to negotiate your claim no your own, we suggest these materials:

http://www.settleyourowninjuryclaim.com/

Or you can get some free info here, http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/making-a-personal-injury-claim.html

Jaw issues can be worth more than a "normal" soft tissue injury.


As always, it's a good idea to talk to an attorney.

Good Luck,
Anne