Mar 13, Is the Case Really Closed?

by Linda
(Denver, CO)

My girlfriend's daughter got whiplash from a car accident. The insurance paid for her to go to a chiropractor and also paid a lump sum of $5,000.00. This happened less than a year ago. She is still having some serious problems, so she contacted the insurance company and they basically said "You've already been paid".

Isn't there some way she can re-open this case?

Thank you.

Hi there, Michelle here...

I am so sorry to be the one to tell you this, but the insurance company is right. Before they paid the $5000.00, the insurance company would have required your girlfriends daughter to sign a release form.

This form is the form that prevents people from being able to come back for more treatment, when they find out they are more seriously injured then then the settlement paid for.

Your situation makes me really sad, because my guess is the insurance company new this was a big accident, with likely long term injuries. Their offer of such a significant amount of money right out of the gate tells me they new this was an accident which could have been very expensive for them.

I am really sorry your friends are in this situation. It is one of the main reasons I started this site, too many people get taken advantage of by insurance companies, when they are most vulnerable, right after the accident.

So, best thing to do is have your girlfriends daughter see her chiropractor, and have the doctor bill the care to her health insurance. Because the car insurance claim is closed, the health insurance will pay for her care.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Good luck, M.

Click here to post comments.

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Car Accident injury lawyer.

Read More

Mar 1, Whip Lash pain can it go away and come back

by Tara
(Milledgeville ga)

I was hit from behind while stopped at a red light on 12/14/2012. I was diagnosed as having whip lash. I was stiff for about three weeks after. Then I felt no more pain or stiffness. Iwas out of work from 12/21/2012 ntil 1/2/2013 when I began a new job. since returning to the work force I have begun to experince neck pain and shoulder pain as well as pain from my shoulder to my fourth and fifth fingers on my right hand. Some days it is so bad that I have to take a muscle relaxer after work. Is this normal for this to happen? Or am I just experiencing normal strain from work, I sit at a desk looking down at documents all day and entering data.
Thanks, Tara

Hi there, Michelle here...

Hi there, thanks for writing. Yes! Is the simple answer. You have a very classic case of car accident injury. Your symptoms are absolutely consistent with having a neck or back injury, or both.

It is normal for work to make your pain worse, and to feel really tired and in pain after a normal day of working when you have whiplash.
You don’t mention any treatment. Time to get started, right away, as in this week. Being diagnosed is very different from being treated.

Without treatment, your pain will not change.
Start with chiropractic care right away. Most chiropractors have massage therapists they know and are able to refer you to. Massage will also make a huge difference in how you are feeling.

With both therapies started, you will very quickly find that you will not to have to take muscle relaxers after work as you will be feeling so much better. With the chiropractic care you will start to notice the numbness and tingling decrease as well!

Finally, if you have not spoken to a lawyer, it is also time to do that. Your pain and the fact that you have already missed work, tell me your accident was pretty significant.

When you have been in a significant accident, it is important to have a lawyer help you manage the insurance company, as well as help you recover your wages you missed from being out of work.

If you need more information on how to decide about hiring a lawyer, here is a page I have written to help you answer the most common questions. Click here: Deciding if you need a lawyer

While you are there, take a moment and fill out the form, it will put you in touch with a lawyer for no charge and no obligation.

Hope this helps! M.

Click here to post comments.

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Whiplash Injury Treatment Questions.

Read More