Whiplash from rear end collision - What to expect

siobhan08

So I was in a rear end collision back in April. Injured my back next and shoulder. Still in a good deal of pain and MRI last week showed bulging discs in my neck and rotator cuff injury.

Don't know anybody else who has been in a similar situation. So looking if anybody who has been unfortunate to be in a similar situation would be able to offer some advice on what could be the potential issues I could have.

Currently at college and the job I would potentially get would be very physical so I'm concerned about that being affected long term.

kyote00

I was 'rear ended' about 18 months ago. About 35kmph, airbags popped. Had a stiff neck and shoulder pain for a few weeks then got mostly better. Did about 2 months of physio then and have been fine since.

Didn't bother with personal injuries claims etc as I've done worse playing football .


What speed was the crash ? Front or rear seat ? Did airbags go off ? Headrests properly adjusted ?

bazz26

Did you talk to your GP or show them the results of the MRI? That's where I would start, they will probably refer you to a physiotherapist or specialist. Make sure all those visits are documented and you get receipts for any medical expenditure. If you end up with a long term injury as a result of the accident then you probably need to seek legal advice too.

siobhan08

kyote00 wrote: »

I was 'rear ended' about 18 months ago. About 35kmph, airbags popped. Had a stiff neck and shoulder pain for a few weeks then got mostly better. Did about 2 months of physio then and have been fine since.

Didn't bother with personal injuries claims etc as I've done worse playing football .


What speed was the crash ? Front or rear seat ? Did airbags go off ? Headrests properly adjusted ?

I was the driver. Stopped for red light. Car behind me didn't. I would say I was hit at about 40+km. On dual lane road on way into a city. speed limit had just changed from 60 to 50 a few metres from the traffic lights. No sure If the other driver made much of an attempt to brake as it was a dry and I saw no evidence of skid mark and I was badly shunted forward in the seat. No airbags went off. and headrest was adjusted fine.

colm_mcm

You wouldn't usally see a skid mark if the car behind had ABS.

siobhan08

bazz26 wrote: »

Did you talk to your GP or show them the results of the MRI? That's where I would start, they will probably refer you to a physiotherapist or specialist. Make sure all those visits are documented and you get receipts for any medical expenditure.

I've been attending both but neither can really give a time frame as they said it depends on the person.

initally attended the physio and they said roughly 4 months. Passed 4 months now and still in a good deal of pain
Doc says to keep going with physio

bazz26

Back to your GP to get referred to a specialist then imo.

kyote00

Sounds like you have some more serious damage. Deffo get referral for specialist/consultant.

On the 'compo' side, Once you have the MRI scan that shows observable damage that is contemporaneous with the accident, then you should also be compensated in full for medical and any other distress

siobhan08 wrote: »

.... MRI last week showed bulging discs in my neck and rotator cuff injury.

.

siobhan08

kyote00 wrote: »

Sounds like you have some more serious damage. Deffo get referral for specialist/consultant.

On the 'compo' side, Once you have the MRI scan that shows observable damage that is contemporaneous with the accident, then you should also be compensated in full for medical and any other distress

no at all concerned with the compo side of thing. Doc seems reluctant to send me for a referral. thinks Ill eventually respond to physio. Started physio within a week of the accident and kept going til the end of may. stopped for the a few weeks to see how I felt but then had to go back. relief from physio seems to be short lived

goz83

The physio exercises need to be regular and not just when you visit. I'm sure I have responded to you when you had the accident and posted on boards. Hopefully your docs reluctance to refer is a good thing, but you can insist on a referral if feel it's necessary.

I had a similar accident with similar injuries except the real issue was my lower back. Look up my thread history from 2014 to get an idea of my experience. Might help you. Good luck and I hope you recover soon.

Special Circumstances

Unfortunately all I'd expect around here is sneering derision and people telling you they barrel rolled the length of the M50 and didn't even need a nurofen afterwards.

Did you know the going rate in Germany is 600 euro? You've probably spent that twice over on doctors, physios, medication, time lost at work.

So the next time some brain surgeon tells you soft tissue injuries don't exist, pour some of your drink on the tiles behind them and give them a good shove ;-) what's the worst that could happen, an impossible soft tissue injury ;-) ?

siobhan08

goz83 wrote: »

The physio exercises need to be regular and not just when you visit. I'm sure I have responded to you when you had the accident and posted on boards. Hopefully your docs reluctance to refer is a good thing, but you can insist on a referral if feel it's necessary.

I had a similar accident with similar injuries except the real issue was my lower back. Look up my thread history from 2014 to get an idea of my experience. Might help you. Good luck and I hope you recover soon.

Yeah I was doing exercises when I wasn't at the physio. Wanted the break to see how I was able the manage the pain myself. €50 a physio session is a lot for a student. After the initial shunt it was my lower back that was bad. The pins and needles happened in my neck and arm so they were the main issue. Know had the MRI on neck and shoulder. Now it seems to be the mid to lower back that I'm having a lot of trouble with, which I have not had a MRI on.

You say your accident was in 2014, did you have any issues long term. Like flare ups of pain etc ?

Wibbs

siobhan08 wrote: »

no at all concerned with the compo side of thing.

Fair play to you on that score, considering the compo culture that is apparently a big thing in Ireland. Joke is you have suffered actual, observable long term injury and should be compensated for that.

kdevitt

I was hit by an uninsured driver in October 2004 and had similar injuries. Did years of physio, shoulder (initially a rotator cuff injury) progressively got worse. A rotator cuff injury if not resolved can lead to tendonosis, and bicep tendon problems.

Had surgery on it 18 months ago, which made no improvement - and literally had surgery again last Friday on it. Early doors, but already feels better. Surgery involved breaking my shoulder by cutting out a section of it, and detaching my bicep tendon and reattaching it at a point where it won't get pinched by my shoulder socket.

Also have bulging discs - but to be honest they reckon anyone who is scanned these days will show some form of disc damage. Its not bad enough at the moment to warrant intervention, but does cause sciatica - on the occasions where its causing me severe pain I take difene for a day or two which clears it up. Prolonged use of difene will seriously mess up your stomach, so if your doctor is prescribing it to you - make sure they give you nexium as well to line your stomach.

Whatever you do, make sure you get the proper treatment as soon as possible - personally I'd be making sure you're not out of pocket for it.

adam88

siobhan08 wrote: »

no at all concerned with the compo side of thing. Doc seems reluctant to send me for a referral. thinks Ill eventually respond to physio. Started physio within a week of the accident and kept going til the end of may. stopped for the a few weeks to see how I felt but then had to go back. relief from physio seems to be short lived

Compo culture is wicked in this country. I was injured last year and still not right with it but I struggle on.

At least get your medical bills covered. Have a quick chat with a solicitor. One solicitor Letter should be enough to get your medical bill covered.

siobhan08

Wibbs wrote: »

Fair play to you on that score, considering the compo culture that is apparently a big thing in Ireland. Joke is you have suffered actual, observable long term injury and should be compensated for that.

I do intend putting in a claim when the time but won't be milking it for all I can get. If I get my medical expenses I'll be happy. If Im luck to get anymore than that. It will go Into a rainy day fund for when it need it.

I'm reluctant to claim as I won't like to be thought of as one of those who milked a claim for rake load of money. As I'm not that type of person

Skatedude

Pretty much the same for me, I was rear ended while waiting in traffic, bad neck and shoulder afterwards and went for the mri etc and my GP sent me on physio once a week for months. Took about two years to clear up, but still get twinges and can't turn my head all the way anymore.

But everyone heals a little different, so hopefully you will be ok in time, but expect a good many months at least to recover

antodeco

I was rear ended 6 years ago. Ended up with sciatica. Back is still at me to this day!

Tigger

adam88 wrote: »

Compo culture is wicked in this country. I was injured last year and still not right with it but I struggle on.

At least get your medical bills covered. Have a quick chat with a solicitor. One solicitor Letter should be enough to get your medical bill covered.

i was injured in a crash in 94
the pain didnt really bother me till 2014
i settled for 2 grand to fix the bike and every one said i could get loads but i thought tiggers are bouncy and compo culture sucks
yes its the crash that caused my injury's and yes i think you should claim for the max you can get

Blazer

its all well and good saying compo culture sucks but for those who are genuinely injured by all means go ahead and claim for it. I'm betting no amount of money will alleviate lifelong back/neck pains etc.
Its the scam artists who hit their knees off tables in restaurants and get 20k for it are the ones who deserve our anger.

goz83

siobhan08 wrote: »

Yeah I was doing exercises when I wasn't at the physio. Wanted the break to see how I was able the manage the pain myself. €50 a physio session is a lot for a student. After the initial shunt it was my lower back that was bad. The pins and needles happened in my neck and arm so they were the main issue. Know had the MRI on neck and shoulder. Now it seems to be the mid to lower back that I'm having a lot of trouble with, which I have not had a MRI on.

You say your accident was in 2014, did you have any issues long term. Like flare ups of pain etc ?

It's a lot for most people on top of everything else. Get referred and checked out asap. By leaving it wait, the insurance company will try use it against you. Also, if you are making a claim, put it in soon. There is no reason to wait and they can take years to process. Don't be worried about what others think. If your injuries are genuine, you should be compensated. Those who lie about injuries deserve to be locked up....but that's a different discussion.

My main injury was a herniated L4-L5 disc. The symptoms were very minor right after the accident. My neck and shoulder were actually more painful at the start. Within a week, the back pain got progressively worse. I ended up having surgery at the end of 2015 and I am still recovering. I still have daily pain, but it's manageable, where before, it was agony. Waiting for surgery on the public system has (imo, according to research I have done) caused me to have lasting nerve damage. If surgery is necessary, it should be done inside of 6 months, or so I have read.

My neck and shoulder pain also lingered, but I would say they are about 90% recovered now. No money is ever worth such injuries. But it can help make things a bit more comfortable for you. I had medical related bills of about €14k. It took just shy of 3 years to close my claim. The guy who crashed into me thought I was exaggerating, or faking injury.....until he found out I had to have spinal surgery.

Good Luck with everything.

Voodoomelon

I posted before, a mate of mine was like you OP and he just wanted his costs covered. He was the victim like you, but the other parties insurance company offered pittance, not even close to covering his expenses to date, let alone possible future bills.

You will more than likely have to get yourself a solicitor to protect your interests and future costs. The thing is with a solicitor, they don't do things by halves so whilst the other insurance company might offer you a grand or two to go away, the solicitor will be claiming for €20k. Which you quite possibly deserve, youve lost countless hours, will continue to do so, mental distress, pain and ongoing pain. €20k or have my health perfect like you did before, I know what i'd pick. Doesn't make the €20k look like much when you view it that way.

Oh and be prepared to wait, his case is ongoing 6 months.

antodeco

My case took over 5 years to settle! No harm though, as I was and I still am in pain

2forjoy

Has the insurance company of the other driver contacted you and offered any advice or even a compensation amount ?

On the medical side it could take 12 months for the healing in my experience .

Sue Pa Key Pa

siobhan08 wrote: »

I do intend putting in a claim when the time but won't be milking it for all I can get. If I get my medical expenses I'll be happy. If Im luck to get anymore than that. It will go Into a rainy day fund for when it need it.

I'm reluctant to claim as I won't like to be thought of as one of those who milked a claim for rake load of money. As I'm not that type of person

That will confuse the bejaysus out of insurers

Seriously though, get it registered with the other party's insurers (and your own for record). Take care of your medical situation and pick up the claim when you are fit enough to deal with it. Best of luck

siobhan08

2forjoy wrote: »

Has the insurance company of the other driver contacted you and offered any advice or even a compensation amount ?

On the medical side it could take 12 months for the healing in my experience .

No not heard anything from them it complicated by the fact it was a foreign driver so I've been told by the MIBI and by insurance ill have to go through the injuries board.

The main thing I'm worried about is my furture career as I worked to get to the point I at now and if I'm going to be dealing with long term pain. The career I was hoping to do with be an not runner as it would be very active and standing for long periods is my big issue now