Recently I was involved in a head on collision and suffered a fractured sternum. The accident was not my fault, and I was a passenger. My car's driver was not at fault. However, the other driver left the scene. My driver has insurance, but we are not sure if the other driver has insurance. He had left the scene.
I went to the E.R. (Via Ambulance) and was given CT scan and Rx.s then sent home within 4hours. I have already been to a follow up appointment, every thing seems ok. I have some soreness and have limited movement with my upper body. I have already gotten a leave of absence from my job.
The doctor says that I will be well in about 8 weeks, and if I want, I can return to work. I do not have any pain anywhere else (like neck, back, legs) I did for the first few days, but now the pain is just where fracture is.
Do I need to go see another doctor, because I saw somewhere, of course on the net, that I need to go to an orthopedic specialist for a full report to turn in towards the claim. Is this true? Or will the follow up and E.R. documentation be enough.
Also, from a personal point of view, I'd like to go to a specialist to see if my injuries are improving (post -"follow up" exam). Would the insurance or lawyers allow and additional visit. (would they pay that extra visit). or not? I have never been in accident. I don't know how many visits are covered and what do do next?
Days after the accident I received 20 lawyers solicitations in the mail! I did go to one, but haven't signed anything.
I don't have a lot of bills, and don't foresee any future "major" medical bills. I do want to know if I can get "loss of wages". I will be out of work for all of March 2011 and possibly parts of April 2011. (at my current rate of recovery, I see myself working again, by mid April).
I am not a whiner. I'm not trying to win the lottery. I'm a hard worker and would like to get back into the game of life and work. I ain't Super Girl (I'm taking it easy on my leave), but I want to know if I can get a decent settlement without a lawyer?
Thanks
I would like to add....
There were witness and the other driver was driving the wrong way. It was at night, and the street was not well lit. We were traveling west in the westbound lane, we came around a curve--meanwhile the other car was rounding the same curve- He hit us as he was traveling East in the westbound lane.
My friends involved in the wreck immediately went to a lawyer. (which is fine to me...i don't know anything about their insurance policy or injuries). They are my friends and I don't want a lawyer or an adjuster to come between us.
Since they went to one--what will this do to my situation in the accident?
I guess my concern is, what should or should I NOT do as a passenger. I already addressed my injuries in the above paragraph. This is my first (and hopefully) only Accident! Can I get a step by step guide? :)
Thanks (again)
Answer by Hrēodbēorð
You seem to have a legitimate case, but you don't seem to have a defendant to sue, such as the driver of the other car. Was he caught? If so, by all means get a lawyer and go after him. If it is the insurance company you are worried about paying for your injuries, you might also need an attorney, but only if they balk at paying you fair restitution (which is debatable). A lawyer could get you lifetime medical benefits stemming from the accident. If I were you, I would seek the help of a lawyer who will represent you on a contingency basis, meaning he doesn't get anything unless he wins. But beware of "ambulance chasers," as most of them are from the bottom of the heap. You can, in general, check an attorney's record online at your state bar association's Website for disciplinary actions and sometimes look his name up online if your courts allow computer access to cases by name. And of course there's always Google. You'd be surprised what you can find out about attorneys via the Internet.
Answer by car05161967
Not without a lawyer. Because, While the other driver didn't stick around, his insurance company's lawyers will try do a number on you, as to getting any financial settlement reduced or nullified.
Answer by TopAnswer
You should be careful if you think you would like to involve a lawyer. The insurance of injuries are quite high and the ambulance billing is also unexpected so please check out http://www.ambulancebillingtips.com before you take another action. I'm sure they have answers knocking on your door for you.
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Orignal From: Do I need a lawyer for injuries (fractured sternum)?
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