Got sandwiched by two vehicles on my way to work — car is gone and I have no idea what I'm doing

I went through almost the exact same thing two years ago — got rear-ended into oncoming traffic, car totaled, thought I was fine until I really wasn't. One thing I wish someone had told me: keep a daily journal of how you feel physically. Even just two or three sentences. When you're dealing with bruised ribs, some days are worse than others, and having that written record helped me when things got complicated later. Don't just rely on the doctor's notes.

That comparable vehicle worksheet they sent you? Be very skeptical. Insurers often pull comps from listings that don't reflect what you'd actually pay to replace your car — sometimes they cherry-pick lower trim levels or cars from markets hours away. Look up what your car actually sells for locally, screenshot the listings, and push back with your own numbers. You don't have to just accept whatever they hand you.

Worked on the insurance side for years. The comp sheets are a starting point, not the final word — and adjusters know most people don't challenge them. If you find even two or three local listings that are priced higher than their estimate, submit them in writing and ask for a revised valuation. 'In writing' is key. Phone calls are easy to ignore or misremember. Emails create a paper trail.

Also, don't accept a settlement on the vehicle until you're sure about your medical situation. Once you sign off on property damage it's usually separate from injury claims, but make sure you understand exactly what you're signing before anything goes on paper.

Please take the rib and torso bruising seriously. Seatbelt injuries can look minor on imaging but really affect your breathing, sleep, and ability to do physical work for weeks. Make sure your doctor knows exactly what your job involves — lifting, standing, whatever — so they can write documentation that reflects how your injuries actually impact your ability to work. Vague notes don't help you later.

For the lost wages piece: if you're hourly with a variable schedule, pull together whatever you can to show your average earnings — past pay stubs, direct deposit records, even your schedule history if your employer will give it to you. The more documentation you have of what you typically make, the stronger that part of a claim is. It's not hopeless just because your hours vary — it just takes a little more work to establish a baseline.

Also, don't give the at-fault driver's insurance a recorded statement without understanding what you're getting into. They may ask — you don't have to say yes immediately.

Three things: document everything, don't talk more than you have to with the other driver's insurance, and don't settle anything until your doctors have a clear picture of what's going on with you medically. You've got time. The pressure to wrap it up quickly usually benefits them, not you.