Shoulder and Neck Pain from Rear End Accident...

by Cherree
(New Jersey)

Yesterday, August 2, we were rear ended while waiting to make a left hand turn. The car hit us so hard it took our friend's minivan halfway up the street. I was transported to the hospital via ambulance and sent home with pain killers and an anti-inflammatory.

Both my friend and I are having shoulder and neck pain today. We're on vacation in New Jersey from Bermuda and I'm wondering what we should be doing in reference to our future doctor visits (should one of us not be able to continue work in the future)?

Disclaimer: Information provided in your response is not formal legal advice, it is generic legal information and is based on the very limited information given in your question. You should always get a formal case evaluation from a licensed attorney.

ANSWER for "Shoulder and Neck Pain from Rear End Accident...":

Cherree:

New Jersey

The first action you should take is documenting your injuries. Contact the hospital and request your emergency room records, including your chart and your husband's chart. Save any receipts for medications or any other out of pocket expenses. You state you are on vacation in New Jersey from Bermuda.

We suggest as soon as you return to your home in Bermuda you continue to treat your injuries by visiting with your family physician. If she sends you to an orthopedic physician you should follow her advice and do so.

Continue to document every visit to the physicians. If you need therapy you should also continue to receive therapy.

We will presume someone secured the at fault driver’s insurance information. When you return to your home you should contact the at fault driver’s insurance company. By the time you do the at fault driver will probably have already contacted them and a claim should already be established.

An insurance Company Claims Adjuster will speak with both of you. She will ask to take your recorded statements. You should agree, doing so is standard procedure.

If you do not you may jeopardize your chances of recovering reimbursement for medical bills, out of pocket expenses, any lost wages you may incur while treating, and possibly pain and suffering.

Since laws change frequently and across jurisdictions you should get a personalized case evaluation from an attorney licensed in your state (if you haven't already). Find an experienced local attorney to give you a FREE personalized case review here.

Best of luck,

Law Guy

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