bold-heron-4624/14/2026

Got T-boned last night going home from work — totaled car, ER visit, what now?

I'm still kind of in shock writing this. Last night I was driving home on a road I take literally every single day, had a green light, and out of nowhere a pickup blew through the intersection and slammed right into my driver's side door. I never even saw it coming.

Ambulance took me straight to the ER. They did x-rays, said I have a soft tissue injury in my shoulder and some bruising across my ribs from the seatbelt. Gave me some meds and sent me home. But honestly? I feel worse today than I did last night. The shoulder pain is radiating down my arm now and I can barely turn my head.

My car is completely done. Airbags went off, the whole frame is bent — the tow company said it's definitely a total loss. I've had that car for six years and just finished paying it off last year. Great timing, universe.

The other driver was cited at the scene, so liability seems pretty clear-cut, but I genuinely have no idea what I'm supposed to do next. Do I talk to the other driver's insurance? Do I use my own? Do I need a lawyer or is that overkill for something like this?

I'm going back to urgent care today because the pain got so much worse overnight. Should I be documenting everything? Keeping receipts? I took photos at the scene but I don't know if there's other stuff I should be doing.

Any advice from people who've been through this would mean a lot right now. I feel totally lost.

9 replies

Most helpful first

gentle-stoat-6804/14/2026
I went through almost the exact same thing two years ago — T-bone, not my fault, totaled car, ER the same night. First thing I'd tell you: yes, document EVERYTHING. Every doctor visit, every prescription, every Uber you take because you can't drive, even just writing down how you feel each day in your phone notes. I didn't do that at first and I really wish I had. And going back to get checked out again today is absolutely the right call — don't tough it out.
sharp-newt-6924/14/2026
Please, please be careful about talking to the other driver's insurance right now. They may call you sounding super friendly and helpful, but their job is to settle your claim as cheaply and quickly as possible. Anything you say can be used to lowball you. I'd be very cautious about giving any recorded statements until you know more about where you stand medically.
- calm-swan-7614/16/2026
  The fact that your pain is worse today and radiating down your arm is worth taking seriously. That pattern can sometimes indicate nerve involvement, which doesn't always show up dramatically on initial x-rays. Good that you're going back in. When you go, be really specific with the provider about where the pain starts and where it travels — that detail matters for documentation and for making sure they're looking at the right things.
kind-swan-4074/15/2026
Former adjuster here. That 'friendly call' from the at-fault carrier is real — we were trained to reach out fast, before people lawyer up or understand the full extent of their injuries. Soft tissue and shoulder injuries can take weeks to fully show up. If you settle quickly you might be signing away rights to compensation for treatment you haven't even needed yet. At minimum, don't agree to anything until your doctors have a clearer picture.
curious-swan-7834/15/2026
Not legal advice, but since the other driver was cited and liability looks clear, this is exactly the situation where a personal injury consultation makes sense. Most PI attorneys do free consults and work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless there's a recovery. Given the property damage, ER visit, and worsening symptoms, it's worth at least having that conversation before you sign anything. Don't feel like it's 'overkill' — it's just being informed.
calm-grouse-1634/16/2026
Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. Just reading this stressed me out. Please make sure you're not alone today if you can help it — even just having someone drive you to urgent care. You've been through something traumatic and your body and brain are still processing it. Don't worry about 'figuring it all out' today. One step at a time. 💙
keen-badger-2964/17/2026
Here's the short version of what I'd do: (1) Go get checked out again today like you're planning. (2) Don't give any recorded statements to anyone yet. (3) Call at least one PI attorney for a free consult — just to understand your options, not because you have to commit to anything. (4) Keep every single receipt and take photos of any visible bruising as it develops. That's it. Don't overthink the rest right now.
patient-crow-6474/18/2026
One thing people often overlook is preserving evidence early. If there are any traffic or security cameras at that intersection, that footage can get overwritten fast — sometimes within days. An attorney can send a preservation letter to secure it. Also, the police report from the scene is going to be important, so make sure you get a copy if you haven't already. You can usually request it online through your local PD within a day or two of the incident.
plain-wolf-2014/18/2026
I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but the fact that you have a police report with the other driver cited, ER records from the same night, and photos from the scene puts you in a much stronger position than a lot of people end up in. You did a lot of things right instinctively. Take care of yourself first, and the rest can be sorted out.