gentle-badger-2625/10/2026

T-boned last night, not my fault, ER visit, totaled car — what do I even do first?

I'm still in shock honestly. Last night I was heading home after a late shift and got slammed on the driver's side by a pickup truck that blew straight through a stop sign. Didn't even slow down. I was going maybe 25 mph and the impact spun my whole car around.

Airbags went off, my door was completely caved in, and the car got towed from the scene — I'm pretty sure it's a total loss. I went to the ER right after and they found I have a soft tissue injury in my upper back and some bruising across my ribs from the seatbelt. Grateful I had it on, but I'm in a lot of pain today. Like, significantly worse than last night. Thinking I need to go back in.

The other driver was cited at the scene, so liability seems pretty clear. His insurance has already called me once this morning and I didn't answer because honestly I have no idea what to say to them.

I've never been in an accident like this. I have so many questions:

Do I call his insurance back, or mine first?
Should I already be talking to a lawyer or is it too soon?
Is it normal for pain to get worse the next day?
How do I even start a claim for the car when I still have a loan on it?

I feel completely overwhelmed and I just want to make sure I don't accidentally mess something up. Any advice from people who've been through this is really appreciated. 🙏

9 replies

Most helpful first

keen-wren-5775/10/2026
The pain getting worse on day two is SO normal — it happened to me too. I thought I was fine leaving the ER and woke up barely able to turn my neck. Please go back and get checked out again. And document everything — take photos of your bruising today, because it's probably more visible now than it was last night.
- mellow-tern-8225/10/2026
  Not legal advice, but generally speaking — it's never "too soon" to at least consult with a personal injury attorney after an accident like this. Most offer free consultations. The reason timing matters is that you want someone in your corner before you give any recorded statements or accept any offers. With clear liability and documented injuries, you're not in a bad position, but how you handle the next few weeks can significantly affect outcomes. Just something to consider.
sharp-bison-9805/10/2026
Do NOT call that other driver's insurance back yet, at least not without knowing what you're walking into. They're calling you fast on purpose. Adjusters are trained to get recorded statements early, while you're still rattled and before you fully know the extent of your injuries. Anything you say can be used to lowball you later. You don't have to talk to them right now.
- gentle-elk-0165/10/2026
  I used to work on the claims side, so I'll be straight with you. When an at-fault driver's insurance calls you that quickly, they're trying to assess how informed you are. If you sound confused or unsure about your injuries — which is completely understandable right after an accident — that works in their favor, not yours. You are allowed to tell them you'll be in touch once you've had time to assess the situation. That's it. You don't owe them a statement today.
bright-swan-2375/10/2026
A few practical things that can really help you later: keep every receipt and document related to this — ER paperwork, any prescriptions, towing receipts, rideshare costs if you need them while your car's out. Also, if you have MedPay or PIP on your own policy, that can help cover medical bills early regardless of fault. Worth calling your own insurer just to understand your own coverage. As for the loan on the car, gap insurance (if you have it) covers the difference between what the car is worth and what you owe. If you don't have gap, it gets more complicated — that's where a lawyer can sometimes help negotiate.
wise-mole-6425/10/2026
Please go back to the ER or at least an urgent care today. Soft tissue injuries and rib bruising can feel much worse at the 24-48 hour mark once inflammation really sets in. Also, rib injuries especially need to be monitored — breathing issues, sharp pain on inhale, any of that needs attention. Don't tough it out. Getting it documented medically also matters for your recovery AND your claim.
daring-newt-0625/10/2026
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Please take care of yourself first — the insurance and legal stuff can wait a little while, your body cannot. Is there someone who can go with you to the ER today? You shouldn't have to navigate that alone.
wise-stoat-7525/10/2026
Here's what I'd do in order: (1) Go back to the ER today, don't delay. (2) Don't give a recorded statement to anyone yet. (3) Call a PI attorney for a free consult — just to know your options, not committing to anything. (4) Contact your own insurance to understand your coverage. That's it. One step at a time.
genuine-stoat-1405/10/2026
I know it feels overwhelming right now, but you actually did a lot of things right — you went to the ER, the police came, the other driver got cited. That paper trail matters a lot. You're not starting from zero here.