quick-newt-1485/12/2026

Got hit by a red-light runner yesterday, now I'm sore and completely lost on next steps

So this happened less than 24 hours ago and my head is still spinning. I was just sitting at a green light waiting for the car in front of me to turn left, and out of nowhere a pickup blows straight through the red on the cross street and slams into the front quarter of my car. Airbags didn't deploy but the impact was hard enough to spin me sideways into the curb.

Police came, report was filed, and the other driver got cited on the spot for running the light. Pretty clear-cut on fault from what I can tell.

Here's my situation:

My car is about 18 months old and I still owe on it. It's technically drivable but the front end is visibly damaged and something feels off when I steer
I woke up this morning with a stiff neck and this dull ache across my upper back and shoulders — wasn't there last night
I haven't gone to a doctor yet because honestly I'm scared about bills piling up and I don't want my own insurance rates going up
The at-fault driver's insurance has already reached out and they were... weirdly friendly? Asking a lot of questions
My phone has been blowing up with calls from numbers I don't recognize — assuming law firms somehow already know?

I filed a claim with the other driver's insurance but I genuinely don't know what I'm doing from here. Do I need a lawyer? Will going to the doctor hurt me somehow financially? And what about the car — do I have any say in where it gets repaired or do I just let their insurance send it wherever?

Any advice from people who've been through something like this would mean a lot right now.

9 replies

Most helpful first

tidy-wren-5135/12/2026
I was in almost this exact situation two years ago — clear-cut fault, friendly adjuster calling right away, the whole thing. Please go get checked out medically, like today if you can. I brushed off the soreness and it turned into a months-long cervical issue that was way harder to deal with because I waited. The delayed pain thing after a crash is super real.
tidy-heron-7755/12/2026
That 'weirdly friendly' adjuster? That's a tactic. They want you to say something like 'I feel okay' or 'it wasn't that bad' before you even know the full extent of your injuries or damages. Do NOT give them a recorded statement yet, and definitely don't accept any kind of quick offer. Once you settle, that's it — you can't go back.
- clear-owl-8785/12/2026
  A few things worth knowing: (1) You generally have the right to choose your own repair shop, though the insurer may have preferred vendors — you don't have to use them. (2) If your car's value is affected even after repairs, you may be able to claim 'diminished value' depending on your state. (3) Getting medical documentation NOW matters a lot. Gaps in treatment are one of the first things insurers use to minimize claims. None of this is legal advice, just stuff I see come up constantly.
kind-kestrel-3135/12/2026
I used to work claims and I'll be real with you — when we called quickly and were super friendly, it was absolutely strategic. The goal is to get you to settle fast and cheap before you know what your injuries actually are. That neck and shoulder soreness you're describing can turn into something serious. At minimum get a medical evaluation documented before you talk to them again. And on your rates: if you're not filing through YOUR insurance, your rates shouldn't be affected. You're going through the at-fault party's carrier.
daring-badger-9875/12/2026
Please don't wait on seeing a doctor. Neck and back stiffness that shows up the morning after a crash is incredibly common — the adrenaline masks it at first. Soft tissue injuries can escalate if they're not caught early, and having that medical record from close to the date of the accident is really important for your own health AND your claim. Urgent care is totally fine if you can't get your regular doc today.
clear-finch-2685/12/2026
Not legal advice, but generally speaking: in a clear liability situation like yours, consulting with a personal injury attorney before talking further with the at-fault insurer is usually a smart move. Most PI attorneys do free consultations and work on contingency, meaning no upfront cost to you. The call from the adjuster being friendly and fast is a flag worth paying attention to. At least understand your options before you say anything more to them.
swift-crane-9005/12/2026
Honestly just the fact that you're sore the next day is enough reason to go get looked at. Please don't tough this out. You didn't do anything wrong here and you deserve to make sure you're actually okay 💙
silent-bison-5485/12/2026
Three things: stop answering the at-fault insurer's calls until you know what you're dealing with. Go to a doctor today and tell them exactly what happened and every symptom. And yes, talk to at least one PI attorney before you make any decisions — the free consultation costs you nothing. The random calls you're getting are probably ambulance chasers, but a real consultation through a legit source is worth it.
quick-stoat-8575/12/2026
What did the police report actually say? And did you get the other driver's insurance info directly or just through the officer? I ask because 'cited at the scene' doesn't always mean the report definitively assigns fault — sometimes the actual report language is more neutral than people expect. Worth getting a copy and reading it carefully before you assume their insurer will just accept 100% liability without a fight.