At-fault driver ghosted their own insurer so I had no choice but to file suit

This is almost exactly what happened to me two years ago. The other driver's relative owned the car and neither of them would cooperate with their own insurance. The moment I filed and got them served, their insurer went from radio silence to blowing up my phone. Hang in there — it does seem to shake things loose.

That sudden callback from the insurance company is NOT them being helpful — it's damage control. They know that once there's an active lawsuit, their exposure gets much harder to manage. Do not agree to anything informal over the phone without something in writing. They will try to lowball you quickly and make it go away before this gets any further.

Worked claims for years. When a policyholder goes uncooperative, adjusters genuinely are stuck — they can't accept liability without a statement. But the second a suit is filed, it becomes a legal matter and the whole file escalates to a litigation unit with way more authority and budget to settle. So yes, what you're seeing is totally normal. That call you got is the litigation team waking up. Just don't let them rush you into a quick number before you know the full extent of your injuries.

Please don't let the legal stuff distract you from actually finishing your PT. Neck and shoulder injuries from rear-end collisions can feel manageable for months and then flare badly later — especially if you stop treatment early because you feel "good enough." Keep all your appointment records and don't skip sessions. That documentation matters medically AND for your case.

One thing worth knowing: most states have what's called an "uninsured/underinsured motorist" provision on your own auto policy. Even if this driver's insurer ultimately pays, if there are gaps or they stonewall further, your own UM coverage can sometimes step in. Definitely worth a call to your own insurance to understand what you have — just don't record a formal statement with anyone until you know where you stand. Not legal advice, just process stuff.

Not legal advice, but the fact that the insurer is now calling you after service of process is a really common pattern. What matters now is that you don't negotiate directly with them without understanding the full value of your claim — lost wages, ongoing medical costs, pain and suffering. A lot of people settle too fast at this stage. At minimum, a free consult with a PI attorney before you talk numbers with them is worth your time.

You did the right thing. Some people only respond to consequences. Don't answer that insurance callback without a plan — decide in advance what your minimum acceptable outcome looks like, write it down, and don't let anyone pressure you on the phone into agreeing to anything on the spot.

Honestly reading this stresses me out on your behalf. You did everything right and still got put through the wringer. I hope the lawsuit moves fast and you can just be done with all of it and focus on healing. Keep us posted please.