Being assessed by a specialist after my car accident.

[LadyMaryofDownton]

I had a car accident about 3 months ago, someone ran into the back of my car. when i has stopped at a junction. I had my parents and my two youngest children in the car.

I am being seen on Friday by this consultant and i am really not sure what to expect i am a bit nervous.

We all sustained whiplash and my mother suffered a large cut in her leg from the smashed lass.

What happens at these assessments?? I am clueless.

[Indantherene]

Are you seeing the consultant for treatment, or for the insurance company?

If it is for insurance they will ask you lots of questions about your health prior to and since the accident, and make lots of notes. They may examine your neck/ feel your spine as appropriate. That will probably be it.

[LadyMaryofDownton]

Indantherene; yes sorry its from the insurance company. Thanks for your replies. I wasn't sure what to expect but that sounds fairly painless :)

I had to give up work after the accident because i had a job that involved being on my feet all day and some heavy lifting. Haven't been able to find anything since thats suitable.

[LadyMaryofDownton]

Thank you Polter.

Will I have to take my top of for the Dr to check my back? My daughters are worrying about changing in front of a stranger ( they are Tweens)

[Mrsmorton]

My father and I were involved in a fatal RTA some time ago, I was 15 and he was 40 something (I remember being shocked in the ambulance when he told the paramedic how old he was). We went for this type of thing and he did have to take his shirt off but I think they had assumed that we were Mr and Mrs rather than Mr and Miss.
It was of no consequence to be honest because of what we had been through which was the most horrific thing I could imagine and I still have flashbacks almost 20 years later... If I had had to undress, it would have been uncomfortable! I had leg injuries and facial and neck scarring so easy to assess with shorts on.

Your girls should understand that the consultant is there to help them, very difficult though I'm sure. I would encourage you to try to find out beforehand if you will be seen separately and if DDs would want you with them etc.

I suppose the plus side of our accident was that unbeknownst to me, my significant scarring and the longer term nerve damage and muscular issues meant I could buy my first flat. I'd swap all of that to have not had the accident though... I can cope very well with the muscle damage but insurance is an odd thing with levels set for different problems. If it was now and I had to apply for compensation, I don't think I would because I'm at no disadvantage save the "passenger phobia" I have where I sometimes try to climb out of the window of cars I'm a passenger in

[fuctifino]

When I had one, it commented on my demeanour. That I was calm and hadn't exaggerated the injury (it was visible, unlike whiplash).
It was more questioning the impact of the injury rather than the injury itself.

[junebirthdaygirl]

I had this and l just needed to tell them exactly how things were. I didn't exaggerate or downplay it. Just told the simple truth. It was totally straightforward.

[LadyMaryofDownton]

Mrsmorton I am so sorry, that must be very difficult . I am thankful everyday that it wasn't a bad accident.

I plan on telling the truth, I am a big believer in karma and I wouldn't want anything awful to happen as a result of me exaggerating. Having said that I am in a fair amount of pain on a daily basis/gave up my career & I am waiting on physio (which is taking forever)

The kids are just shy girls but I'll reassure them again tomorrow. I'll be attending their assessments as they are minors.

Thanks everyone :)

[Mrsmorton]

Lady It was far worse of my dad who felt that he couldn't protect me from the badness. We have been incredibly close since so, as you, I believe in what goes around. You have to be truthful because you're a decent person and anything else isn't palatable. You sound wonderful for your girls and to have to have given up your career is massive. I hope things improve or at least you get the treatment you deserve.

I live in London now so don't go in a car very often, when I do it's me who drives... saves the embarrassing:
"wtf Mrs",

"Erm, I just... thought... y'know... ummm... that I might be safer... out..."

"Out of the fucking window? Are you kidding me?"

"perhaps I'll drive in future..."

I hope your DDs can talk about it to you as I have found (and still do) that talking about the things which scared me and the big things I remember is still quite therapeutic for me.

My father and I never discuss it though, stiff upper lip and all. It's just a shared experience that brought us together. I feel a bit teary now remembering him coming to help me despite having a broken ankle.