keen-dove-1771d ago

Rear-ended at a red light, broken wrist, can't work — where do I even start?

I don't even know how to organize my thoughts right now so bear with me.

About six weeks ago I was sitting at a complete stop at a red light when someone plowed into the back of my truck. Airbags didn't even deploy because the other driver hit me at an angle, but the force whipped me sideways hard. I ended up with a fractured wrist and some kind of soft tissue damage in my shoulder that the ER doc said could need surgery depending on how it heals.

Here's my situation: I work a trade job. My hands are basically my entire income. I've been out of work since the crash and my short-term disability through my employer only covers a fraction of what I normally bring home. My rent is due, I've got a car payment on a vehicle that's now sitting at a body shop, and the medical bills are already starting to show up in my mailbox even though I'm nowhere near done with treatment.

The other driver was cited at the scene — the police report shows they were at fault — and I've already filed a claim with their insurance. But the adjuster keeps calling me and asking questions and honestly I don't know what I should or shouldn't be saying. It feels like every conversation is some kind of trap.

I've never dealt with anything like this before. I don't have money for a lawyer upfront. I don't know if I should settle fast because I need cash NOW, or if I should wait because my shoulder situation is still unresolved.

Has anyone been in a spot like this? How did you navigate it without just drowning completely?

9 replies

Most helpful first

quick-seal-8041d ago
Ugh, this is almost exactly what happened to me two years ago — different injury but same financial spiral. The thing I wish someone had told me earlier: do not settle while you're still in active treatment. I settled too fast because I was panicking about money and I ended up with ongoing issues that weren't covered. I'd have gotten way more if I'd waited until I had a clearer picture of what my shoulder actually needed.
- gentle-lynx-4841d ago
  Those adjuster calls are absolutely not casual check-ins. They're fishing. Every time you say something like 'I'm doing a little better' or 'it's not as bad as I thought,' that gets noted and can be used to minimize your claim later. You are not required to give recorded statements to the other driver's insurance. Remember that.
- cool-heron-8401d ago
  I used to work claims for a carrier, so I'll be real with you. When an adjuster calls you repeatedly early on, especially before you've finished treatment, there's often pressure from management to close files fast and cheap. 'Quick settlement' offers almost always look generous in the moment but rarely account for future medical needs. Your unresolved shoulder situation alone is a significant unknown — don't sign anything that releases future claims until that's sorted out.
careful-heron-5441d ago
Not legal advice, but — most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning zero upfront cost. You only pay if they recover money for you. Given that liability sounds clear (police report, citation), your case may be very straightforward to take on. A free consult costs you nothing and at minimum you'd know where you stand. The 'I can't afford a lawyer' barrier is real but often doesn't apply to PI cases the way people assume.
clever-sparrow-8801d ago
Please don't let the financial stress push you into rushing your physical recovery. Shoulder injuries especially — what looks minor on an initial scan can turn into a much bigger deal. If surgery ends up being on the table, that recovery timeline changes everything. Make sure every symptom is documented with your doctors, even the stuff that feels minor. 'My grip strength is still weak' or 'I can't lift my arm above shoulder height' — all of that matters medically and for your claim.
candid-marmot-9601d ago
A few practical things that can help you right now:

1. Keep a simple journal — daily notes on your pain levels, what you can't do, missed work days. Sounds tedious but it becomes really valuable documentation. 2. Request a copy of the police report if you haven't already. 3. Don't throw away any medical bills — even the confusing EOB letters from insurance. Put them all in one folder.

Also, if you have health insurance, use it for your treatment now. The reimbursement stuff can get sorted out later. Don't skip follow-up appointments because of cost concerns — gaps in treatment can hurt your claim.
brave-hare-9971d ago
I just want to say — you're dealing with a lot and it makes total sense that you're overwhelmed. Physical recovery, financial stress, and navigating something totally unfamiliar all at once is genuinely hard. Don't be too hard on yourself for not knowing what to do. You're asking the right questions.
sharp-stoat-0401d ago
Stop talking to the other driver's adjuster without representation. Full stop. You don't have to be rude about it — just say you're consulting with someone before continuing discussions. Then actually go consult with someone. Contingency PI lawyers exist for exactly this situation. Make some calls this week, not next month.
clear-swift-6341d ago
Genuine question — did you have any pre-existing issues with that wrist or shoulder before the crash? I'm not trying to be harsh, I just know that if there's any prior history it can complicate things and you'd want to be prepared for that conversation. Also, did you see a specialist yet or just the ER? ER docs often underestimate orthopedic injuries.