Was in an accident...help please!

Graham_B18C

Someone absolutely milled into the back of me on Thursday night. Was in traffic and he was way over the speed limit. Since the accident, my stomach, neck and back are absolutely killing me, but i feel terrible claiming lots off someone, i've never been one mad for "compo" or anything like that but i'm starting to get a bit worried it could be seious.

Doc just said its just the muscles but i'm afraid it'll wreck me a few years down the line. What would you all do? I'm thinking about going to the hospital on Monday if it's still at me.

Thanks in advance!

Funkyzeit

Without meaning to be short - I think your solicitor has to be your first port of call. If you don't have one hire one ! Just in case you do have problems down the line he/she will make sure all the angles are covered.

bikki

Ah just claim, its the irish thing to do.

Bearcat

its not now you'll feel it but 6 months down the road.....dont settle until you are confident you are back together and use the best solicitors going....go for damages plus costs and dont feel guilty. your life has been turned upside down and you need to be compensated and compensated well.

Graham_B18C

Thanks for the quick replies, never had to deal with insurance companies before, just not too sure what i should do!

Biro

Get a second medical opinion too, maybe even a third. If anything it'll give you peace of mind, also it'll help with what kind of treatment you might need and therefore what compensation may be required.

shaywest

same thing happened to my missus just before last christmas because it was a woman with kids in the car she let the whiplash thing slide.my missus was in bits hobbling around all winter.
when i put in a claim for a new bumper she rang up whining
the ould b***h never even asked now my wife was feeling!
we're sorry now we diddn't take her to the cleaners

DublinDilbert

shaywest wrote: »

same thing happened to my missus just before last christmas because it was a woman with kids in the car she let the whiplash thing slide.my missus was in bits hobbling around all winter.
when i put in a claim for a new bumper she rang up whining
the ould b***h never even asked now my wife was feeling!
we're sorry now we diddn't take her to the cleaners

I have let things slide myself after been hit, felt sorry for the person etc, but you wonder if the tables were turned what they would... I'm sure the poor woman with kids would of taken you to the cleaners if things were reversed...

Gumbo

Grahamo999 wrote: »

Someone absolutely milled into the back of me on Thursday night. Was in traffic and he was way over the speed limit. Since the accident, my stomach, neck and back are absolutely killing me, but i feel terrible claiming lots off someone, i've never been one mad for "compo" or anything like that but i'm starting to get a bit worried it could be seious.

Doc just said its just the muscles but i'm afraid it'll wreck me a few years down the line. What would you all do? I'm thinking about going to the hospital on Monday if it's still at me.

Thanks in advance!

no way graham, were you in the Evo??

Graham_B18C

kceire wrote: »

no way graham, were you in the Evo??

Evo? I wish I had one and i'd be an awful lot more down than I am if one got ruined on me! No, was actually saqvin for a new car but don't have anywhere near enough to buy what I want yet so I said i'd just keep the Punto till it dies...made that decision on North Circular Road...come Navan Road that plan was made official! Poor Punto was killed.

The main reason I wasn't going to claim injury was because I didn't want to ruin his policy, but the more I think about it the more I don't care, He was traveling at about 50mph in a 50kph zone, and it was stop start traffic, what he was thinking I don't know. I thought people who bought 5 Series BMW's would of had a bit more sense.

If the back aint better in the next day or two I think I'll just claim personal injury, feck him.

And the best bit...when I got outta the car and asked what the hell he was at, his reply was "Jesus man I'm so sorry, I was just rubbin the dog and when I looked up, there you were, why were you even stopped?" To which I replied "Eh Do you not see that line of cars in front of what use to be my car?"

And the Guards didn't breatalise him!!! The idiot that hit me was in a 04 5 series, and I hit into a 06 A6. His insurance is covering the lot though.

Nightmare of an evening

Rowley Birkin QC

I would claim.

It's one thing claiming fraudelently or frivolously but when you are genuinely in fear of your health both now and further down the line it's a no brainer.

It's true that "claim" and "compo" have become dirty words in Ireland but if you are injured you are wholly justified in looking for money to cover your medical bills and compensation if you are out of work etc.

Mr. Presentable

Grahamo999 wrote: »

his reply was "Jesus man I'm so sorry, I was just rubbin the dog and when I looked up, there you were, why were you even stopped?"

Really! That f'er should be put off the road.

cabrwab

@OP, if you feel injured enough then you should but i would seek medical opinions a couple heck even offer to go to his doc if you want.
Same thing happened to me this time last year, stopped at a red light when a woman plough'd into the back of my van, lucky for her none of the equipment in the back was damaged and the fact it was full seemed to stop me hitting the car infront!

Anyway, i had my foot on the break as i had only stopped was about to pull up the hand break when she hit. My ankle was very sore after with the jerk and my back was really sore, i was too concerned claiming for it from the insurance as the company insurance would be effected, and i felt sorry for her she was going to a funeral she claimed! But she kicked up a fuss about the price of the repairs. Now with my back sore alot i feel like i should have!

Gumbo

Grahamo999 wrote: »

Evo? I wish I had one and i'd be an awful lot more down than I am if one got ruined on me! No, was actually saqvin for a new car but don't have anywhere near enough to buy what I want yet so I said i'd just keep the Punto till it dies...made that decision on North Circular Road...come Navan Road that plan was made official! Poor Punto was killed.

The main reason I wasn't going to claim injury was because I didn't want to ruin his policy, but the more I think about it the more I don't care, He was traveling at about 50mph in a 50kph zone, and it was stop start traffic, what he was thinking I don't know. I thought people who bought 5 Series BMW's would of had a bit more sense.

If the back aint better in the next day or two I think I'll just claim personal injury, feck him.

And the best bit...when I got outta the car and asked what the hell he was at, his reply was "Jesus man I'm so sorry, I was just rubbin the dog and when I looked up, there you were, why were you even stopped?" To which I replied "Eh Do you not see that line of cars in front of what use to be my car?"

And the Guards didn't breatalise him!!! The idiot that hit me was in a 04 5 series, and I hit into a 06 A6. His insurance is covering the lot though.

Nightmare of an evening

must be getting you mixed up with another graham LOL

sorry to hear, no matter what car your in.

glad your relatively ok though, as said above, its one thing claiming when you faking but if your genuine then you must be compensated.

you will need to attend physio for a few months and you will be tested by the other insurance medical team (my mate is going through the exact proceedure from a bike accident).

first point of call is to talk to a solicitor.

Seth Brundle

Grahamo999 wrote: »

I thought people who bought 5 Series BMW's would of had a bit more sense.

We're not all that bad!

My neck is still sore (~30% of the time its very very sore) following a low speed incident in April. The physio kind of ended and I still have to do the exercises but its quite likely that it won't improve that much in the short to medium term! I know that what happened me was an accident and much as I'd love to I don't want to take Quinn to the cleaners. But I have spent a fair bit on physio and I want to be sure that I'm covered for all expenses in the future should they arise!!!

nogoodnamesleft

I was involved in an accident over a year ago some one ran into the back of me in traffic. Claimed as my neck and back were killing me. A year later waiting to go to court to get it sort out as to date ive spent over 2k out of my own pocket on physio. Oh and I dont feel slightly guilty about claiming now as the individual who ran into me was totally uncooperative with insurance co after the collision.

mikemac

Grahamo999 wrote: »

He was traveling at about 50mph in a 50kph zone, and it was stop start traffic, what he was thinking I don't know.

Best of luck OP in sorting this

Can I ask in stop start traffic how you know for a fact he as going above 80kph in a 50kph zone?

Tbh, if you got hit at that speed, I'd imagine you and the other party would be far more badly injured.
So what speed were they doing? Are you guessing?

I'm not trying to pick holes in your story. I hope it you get sorted, just wondering....

murphym7

Be very careful and take your time deciding what to do. My sister was in an accident a few years ago and didn't want to claim for the same reasons as you have said. She is in agony with her neck and back and its too late to claim for her now. She has contiued doctor bills, physio, pills, creams, time of work etc etc...... Be very carefull and don't let anyone rush you. You can settle for the damage to the car and keep your right for personal injuries open.

Graham_B18C

micmclo wrote: »

Best of luck OP in sorting this

Can I ask in stop start traffic how you know for a fact he as going above 80kph in a 50kph zone?

Tbh, if you got hit at that speed, I'd imagine you and the other party would be far more badly injured.
So what speed were they doing? Are you guessing?

I'm not trying to pick holes in your story. I hope it you get sorted, just wondering....

Well i obviously cant tell you an exact speed beacuse I wasn't in his car, I looked in my mirror and saw him comin...very fast, of course it's a guess but he was deffinately over the speed limit

tv3

If you are not a serious way well dont SCREW somebody for a few quid.Also just to note the other person could be looking at this forum and watch what you are saying;)

Graham_B18C

tv3 wrote: »

If you are not a serious way well dont SCREW somebody for a few quid.Also just to note the other person could be looking at this forum and watch what you are saying;)

When did i say i wasn't in a bad way? I said at the start of the thread that my stomach, neck and back were absolutely killing me. I came here for advise because I've never had to do anything like this before.

illegalmidget

i work in insurance. your insurance company and his should have been notified straight away. people claim personal injury every day the only thing is it can last years for personal injury claims?
i asume the garda were called to the scene when it happened?
you should go to the hospital if your that worried.
you can claim back for the doctor bill as long as you have kept the receipt.
good luck! :rolleyes:

Graham_B18C

illegalmidget wrote: »

i work in insurance. your insurance company and his should have been notified straight away. people claim personal injury every day the only thing is it can last years for personal injury claims?
i asume the garda were called to the scene when it happened?
you should go to the hospital if your that worried.
you can claim back for the doctor bill as long as you have kept the receipt.
good luck! :rolleyes:

Yeah I kept the receipt and that, if i'm still bad tomorrow i'll go hospital.

The Guards were there but only took a few things down.

Insurance companies have all been notified

tv3

Grahamo999 wrote: »

When did i say i wasn't in a bad way? I said at the start of the thread that my stomach, neck and back were absolutely killing me. I came here for advise because I've never had to do anything like this before.

If you are the way you SAY you are you would of went to the hospital instead of getting advice to go or not:rolleyes:

Why tomorrow?

Graham_B18C

tv3 wrote: »

If you are the way you SAY you are you would of went to the hospital instead of getting advice to go or not:rolleyes:

Why tomorrow?

Beacuse i went the doctor on friday and he said the Muscle pain shouldn't go away for about three days...so I said I'd give it three days before I went and got it checked out in the hospital, I don't want to rip off anybody, thats why I haven't ran to the hospital telling them I'm in all kinds of agony, My neck, back and stomach are all very sore but if its muscle pain then it should be ok by tomorrow.

Interrogation over yet?

*EDIT I wasn't asking advice on whether to go the hospital or not. Read the previous posts before trying to make me seem like i'm tryin to SCREW someone out of money

ohnoigotsick

bikki wrote: »

Ah just claim, its the irish thing to do.

i was in a car crash a few years back , it wasn't anyhting dramatic but the car i was in was rear ended , however we were at a roundabout and were waiting to go left so the car was at an angle , a driver then hit us and it was pretty sore, making a short story long here, all i wanted was not to be out of pocket as i had to get a few things done , i was told to get a solicitor and deal with it that way - i ended up with my fees plus compo which i wouldn't have gone looking for in the first place but they PIAB system meant it went down that way

OP , your right to have concerns for what will happen down the line (i hit my head off the roof and a filling got kocked out from that, but i didn't notice it for a few weeks after as other parts were worse off) , best thing is to go to physio etc and get it sorted , my back still plays up when the weather gets cold out at this time of year but thankfully it gets better each passing year

Graham_B18C

ohnoigotsick wrote: »

i was in a car crash a few years back , it wasn't anyhting dramatic but the car i was in was rear ended , however we were at a roundabout and were waiting to go left so the car was at an angle , a driver then hit us and it was pretty sore, making a short story long here, all i wanted was not to be out of pocket as i had to get a few things done , i was told to get a solicitor and deal with it that way - i ended up with my fees plus compo which i wouldn't have gone looking for in the first place but they PIAB system meant it went down that way

OP , your right to have concerns for what will happen down the line (i hit my head off the roof and a filling got kocked out from that, but i didn't notice it for a few weeks after as other parts were worse off) , best thing is to go to physio etc and get it sorted , my back still plays up when the weather gets cold out at this time of year but thankfully it gets better each passing year

Thanks for the helpful advise, it was people like you that i was looking for advise from because you went through it. I didn't make the thread to be made look like a hungry git as soon as I get a whiff of a claim

ohnoigotsick

Grahamo999 wrote: »

Thanks for the helpful advise, it was people like you that i was looking for advise from because you went through it. I didn't make the thread to be made look like a hungry git as soon as I get a whiff of a claim

no worries , notify who you have to notify and then concentrate on getting better , why should you be out of pocket for someone who was rubbing there dog instead of keeping there eyes on the road.

guil

i'll prob get flamed for this but op if i was u i'd take him to the cleaners, what sort of a moron would rub and watch his dog instead of watchin the road in what u say was heavy traffic, that muppet has to get some sense drilled into him and a nice claim might just do that

-Chris-

Claim won't come out of his pocket, it comes from the insurance company - which then results in higher premiums for the rest of us.

Claim for what you need, and feel no shame in taking every penny. Don't claim for what you don't need or to teach him a lesson, that's dishonest.

sdanseo

To echo some of the comments already made:

At the end of the day, it wasn't your fault. You got injured. We pay massively-inflated insurance premiums in this country because of stupid people like the person who ran into you not paying attention and it is your right to claim anything you are entitled to. That's why insurance exists. You won't be bankrupting anyone, it's the bogus or unnessecary claims which are pushing up premiums as much as anything else and you have a very genuine claim.

Go for it. Call a solicitor before it's too late.

Graham_B18C

AudiChris wrote: »

Claim won't come out of his pocket, it comes from the insurance company - which then results in higher premiums for the rest of us.

Claim for what you need, and feel no shame in taking every penny. Don't claim for what you don't need or to teach him a lesson, that's dishonest.

Yeah thats exactly what i've been thinking of doing, I too honest to rip off someone, even an insurance company!

guil

AudiChris wrote: »

Claim won't come out of his pocket, it comes from the insurance company - which then results in higher premiums for the rest of us.

Claim for what you need, and feel no shame in taking every penny. Don't claim for what you don't need or to teach him a lesson, that's dishonest.

i know the claim wont come out of his pocket but his premium will be a lot higher

gymnipities

ohnoigotsick wrote: »

- i ended up with my fees plus compo which i wouldn't have gone looking for in the first place but they PIAB system meant it went down that way

Does anyone have any experience of this? I put in a claim with PIAB for traffic accident injuries and then got a letter with a settlement offer from the insurance company. Is there anyone who turned down the settlement offer and went ahead with the PIAB assessment? I'd be interested to know what sort of a difference there was between the two amounts.

the_syco

Grahamo999 wrote: »

Since the accident, my stomach, neck and back are absolutely killing me, but i feel terrible claiming lots off someone, i've never been one mad for "compo" or anything like that but i'm starting to get a bit worried it could be seious.

Enjoy not being able to drive when your neck gets so bad your driving becomes a pain rather than a pleasure. You feel bad about claiming compo? That's guilt. Guilt can be forgotten about. The physical pain won't be.

daveharnett

gymnipities wrote: »

Does anyone have any experience of this? I put in a claim with PIAB for traffic accident injuries and then got a letter with a settlement offer from the insurance company. Is there anyone who turned down the settlement offer and went ahead with the PIAB assessment? I'd be interested to know what sort of a difference there was between the two amounts.

I understand that the difference can be very significant. Also bear in mind that the insurance co have made their offer 'in full and final settlement', meaning you have very little comeback if you accept it and have further medical problems down the line.

OP, get yourself to a solicitor. You have enough on your plate without having to deal with a combatative insurance company. You concentrate on getting better and let him/her worry about the money stuff.

Baraboo

I would like to point out that you have up to 3 years from the date of accident to claim.

A good solicitor is a must.

20 Years after an accident with 3 major back operations and a fair few minor procedures and a lot of physio, I am wishing I had made a claim. whiplash is a coverall term for a lot of problems. Just because a lot of people abuse the system and claim where no real problem exists does not mean you are abusing the system if you claim where a real problem exists.

Graham_B18C

Went to a so;icitor today, seems like a nice fella. I know someone that used him before and said he's great.

The other fella's insurance are a pack af ass holes, they're saying i've to get my own car and they might pay for it, the solicitor said he'd sort that out. I explained to the insurance co that im only 21 and its very hard to get a rental at my age, one company said it'd be 700 euro for insurance for two weeks! And the insurance co said the longest i can get a curtacy car is two weeks even though it can take months for them to pay out for my car, forget about the medical stuff.

One of the most unpleasent things I've ever had to do was ring the guy dealing with the claim, it was like talking to a robot thats only programed to say a few lines over and over again, made me feel like an idiot.

nogoodnamesleft

Get the Solicitor on to them. He wont be long gettin you a courtesy car sorted out. This is what I did when I was in an accident last year...settle for material damages for the time being so that you can get your car repaired or the value of the car from the other parties insurance. In the time being you should be provided with a courtesy car to tie you over for the 2 weeks to sort out your own mode of transport. If you think of it this way your being seriously inconviencened by the other persons actions and the lack of action of the insurance co. BTW some insurance companies have a deal with car hire companies in that they provide cover for their vehicles and in return they provide courtesy vehicles. Such that when I demanded a diesel (as the my origional car was a diesel) car I got it when they insaid they had none available.

milltown

Baraboo wrote: »

I would like to point out that you have up to 3 years from the date of accident to claim.

2 Years with PIAB.

http://injuriesboard.ie/eng/FAQ/#19

Lots of good info on the www.injuriesboard.ie site.

My missus is going through the process at the moment, and going mad trying to get any sort of urgency out of the insurance co. Don't panic though, as I understand it, you have two years to set the wheels in motion, as it were. Even so, don't waste your time on public waiting lists to see any specialists the doctor might deem necessary, go private if needs be. If you're going to be significantly out of pocket you should get the insurance company to make an interim settlement. Once they are accepting liability they should not hesitate to cover any receipted expenses you incur with no prejudice to the compensation side of the claim.

Hotwheels

Best tip I can give you is Buy A Dairy and keep a record of everything, keep recipts, write details down of everything/everyone, doctors you visit...everything...and write any new information in straight away...

Download the PIAB guide and read it, and read it! it will help you understand how it works..
A good solicitor is worth their weight in gold, but you can deal with PIAB yourself and get a Solicitor later if you go to court...

We all pay insurance and we all hope we never have to use it, so don't feel guilty, its the one who ran into you that will feel that. Or Not...

congo_90

op

you and all other (sensible law abiding) motorists pay insurance every year for this sort of thing. do not feel guilty to make a personal injury claim but make sure as others have said to get yourself a reputable solicitor to deal wit yer docs/insurance company. I was hit 2 years ago and it was my ma who put in the claim even though i didn want to and was lucky to have cos pretty soon after i felt like sh1t and ended up losing my job over it because i wasnt able to work.

Countryripple

To Cabwrab, you have 2 years, not three as stated above, to make a personal injury claim against the other party. If it is almost a year on and you are still in pain, get onto a solicitor. Most of them wont charge you anything upfront in such cases. If it is a simple case of someone hitting into the back of you, it is fairly black and white in the eyes of the law.

Otherwise, you could look after it yourself and put an application into the PIAB without using a solicitor. The solicitor has to go down this route first anyway. Personally, I find that having a solicitor to look after it is best. Unless you are organised and have time to spend doing all that stuff.

Dont let it lie. I know people who have been very unjustly screwed by compo claims. One of which only had a claim brought against them a week before the 3 year deadline, back when this was the time limit. Which made me very reluctant to pursue one of my own. But at the end of the day, once you are in pain and it has cost you from your own pocket, you are well withing your rights.

Good luck.

dade

almost 6 years after a crash and i still occasionally suffer pain. you may feel fine now but it might come back to haunt you.

keep a record of everyting and i mean everything. i know this will sound mad and over teh top but a solicitor once told me that if i was in to much pain to get it on with teh wife then i was entitled to damages for it. a little too extreme maybe.

also IIRC you can claim for the repair first then the personal injusties/personal damages as far as i know so at least you have a car. but your solicitor should be able to verify that

pburns

Grahamo999 wrote: »

Went to a so;icitor today, seems like a nice fella. I know someone that used him before and said he's great.

The other fella's insurance are a pack af ass holes, they're saying i've to get my own car and they might pay for it, the solicitor said he'd sort that out. I explained to the insurance co that im only 21 and its very hard to get a rental at my age, one company said it'd be 700 euro for insurance for two weeks! And the insurance co said the longest i can get a curtacy car is two weeks even though it can take months for them to pay out for my car, forget about the medical stuff.

One of the most unpleasent things I've ever had to do was ring the guy dealing with the claim, it was like talking to a robot thats only programed to say a few lines over and over again, made me feel like an idiot.

Grahamo you sound like a very decent bloke, it's good to know there are a few around.

From the look of things though it sounds like you'll have to become ruthless. Get a ballbreaker of a solicitor on the case. I'm not a fan of the compo culture either but you fully deserve compensation. The insurance co. wouldn't be Quinn would it?

Graham_B18C

pburns wrote: »

Grahamo you sound like a very decent bloke, it's good to know there are a few around.

From the look of things though it sounds like you'll have to become ruthless. Get a ballbreaker of a solicitor on the case. I'm not a fan of the compo culture either but you fully deserve compensation. The insurance co. wouldn't be Quinn would it?

No it was a Company that begins with A and ends with Z! Dont want to seem like I'm being slanderous. The guy from the called me yesterday and was as nice as pie with me after I told him I'd consulted a Solicitor. With a bit of luck i'll get a car sorted soon.

The assessor was out at my car yesterday, it's written off and they said they'll be in touch about how much it's worth. Will they get onto the Solicitor about that or direct to me?

And, will the money from the car, will I get that soon or will I not get that until the whole thing is sorted? I love cars and i'm not really liking getting the bus to work!

nogoodnamesleft

In my case the Claims Manager visited with the value of the car from the assessor , Which was below the current market value. Mentioned what I considered the current value of the car was and I was instantly given it. I only signed for material damages and I also photocopied what I had signed for my own records. They will issue with a check which will arrive in the post a couple of days later.

From my experience they will try anything to get you to settle straight away. I wouldnt be surprised if they offered you a cash sum to settle outright on the run up to christmas.

Seth Brundle

I would echo nogoodnamesleft's post.
The guy who assessed my car seriously undervalued it and I had to dig out several ads from different websites indicating what people were looking for in comparable cars (mine would have a higher spec than most E39 523i's of that time). Be prepared to be insulted!

Graham_B18C

kbannon wrote: »

I would echo nogoodnamesleft's post.
The guy who assessed my car seriously undervalued it and I had to dig out several ads from different websites indicating what people were looking for in comparable cars (mine would have a higher spec than most E39 523i's of that time). Be prepared to be insulted!

They rang me today, made an alright offer, 2000 but I'm happy enough because it wasn't nct'd. But the worst thing is that I got it taxed last Monday! AND there was petrol in it! There's never any more then about ten euro petrol in my car! But when the accident happened there was about fifteen quid!

So ya reckon they'll offer me a few quid to cancel the solicitor? Don't think i'll take it because luckily i have a few quid put aside for a car so there's a fella I know sellin a '99 1.8 Alfa 156, he said I could have it for a grand so that'll more than do the job for the next while!

Thanks for all the comments, you've all been really helpful