First accident ever — got T-boned by a wrong-way driver and I'm kind of spiraling

I went through something really similar about two years ago — first accident ever, wrong-way driver, total loss on a car I still owed money on. The thing nobody tells you is that the gap between what insurance pays out and what you still owe on the loan can leave you in a really bad spot. Look into whether you have gap coverage on your policy. I didn't know I had it until a friend mentioned it, and it saved me from owing thousands on a car I no longer had.

Please don't just wait around for the other driver's insurance to 'do the right thing.' They are not on your side — their adjuster's job is to close your claim as cheaply as possible. Don't give any recorded statements to anyone until you know what you're doing. They will absolutely use your words against you later.

Worked in claims for years and I'll be straight with you. The first offer you get — if you get an offer quickly — is almost never the best one. Quick offers are a signal they want to close it out before you know what you're actually entitled to. Also, on the loan/total loss situation: insurers are supposed to pay actual cash value, which may or may not cover your payoff amount. Don't assume it will.

Please don't brush off that stiff neck. Soft tissue injuries from side-impact crashes can take 24-72 hours to really show up. I've seen people feel 'fine' at the scene and be in serious pain by day three. Get checked out by a doctor as soon as you can — and not just for your health, but because having a medical record of your symptoms matters if this goes further than you expect.

A few practical things: First, write down everything you remember right now while it's fresh — the direction you were going, light color, road markings, what the other driver said at the scene, all of it. Even little details. Second, get a copy of that police report as soon as it's available; don't wait for someone to send it to you. Third, document your car thoroughly before it gets moved to a lot and you lose access. And yes, if you have a lienholder, they'll likely be listed on any settlement check, so you'll need to coordinate with them.

Not legal advice, but speaking generally — in a situation where the other driver was clearly going the wrong way on a one-way street and you had a green light, liability documentation is going to matter a lot. That police report, any surveillance cameras in the area, and witness information (if you got any) are worth preserving now. The one-way signage and road markings you mentioned not photographing — see if you can go back and do that. Most PI attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency, so there's usually no cost to at least having a conversation.

The emotional part is real and it's valid. A lot of people dismiss it because there's no visible injury, but having something slam into your car out of nowhere is genuinely traumatic. Be patient with yourself this week. The logistical stuff will get sorted — give yourself permission to feel weird about this for a bit.

Here's the short version of what to actually do: 1) See a doctor today or tomorrow, get it on record. 2) Don't give recorded statements to any insurance company yet. 3) Call your own insurance to open a claim — you can still pursue the at-fault driver's insurance, but yours can sometimes move faster on the vehicle. 4) Look up your policy for gap coverage. 5) At least consult with a PI attorney before you sign anything. That's it. Start there.