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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Re wanting to claim about this accident?

171 replies

Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 20:59

I was involved in a minor accident today. Me, DH and 9 month old were in the car heading back home when another car crashed into us from behind. The car had a "New Driver" sticker on it.
Thankfully none involved were badly injured though I knocked my head pretty hard against the headrest and saw black spots for couple of seconds. Baby was fine, just seemed a bit shocked and flushed.
The other driver and myself were extremely distraught,she had her DD aged 5/6 maybe in the front seat belted.
We both were understandably very worried for our respective children.
An hour after the accident I went to the A&E as I was feeling extremely lightheaded and nauseous. I started having a horrible headache and my muscles were in "spasm" as described by the doctor who saw me. He prescribed Naproxen and told me the pain would eventually go away.
Now hours after the accident,the headache is the worst I ever experienced in my life. My shoulders and neck are absolutely killing me.
Should I be claiming whiplash and which agencies would you recommend please?
I am so sorry for the long post, my thoughts are all over the place and I feel so sickSad

OP posts:
slithytove · 13/12/2018 22:09

I had a recent crash and as part of the overall costs, my insurance company did a claim for replacement car seats, (£600 quid so not easy for me to replace) plus the 2 days having to wait in to receive and return the hire car.

It’s not just about injury and there is nothing wrong with a legitimate claim to cover costs. It would also cover any time off work and any pain, they have a set amount per day I believe depending on the injury.

ladydickisathingapparently · 13/12/2018 22:10

OP, I’m assuming you are genuine but I think the way you’ve phrased your question is unfortunate! If it’s the headache that’s worrying you, you’d be better off asking directly about that. AIBU to ring 111 or visit A and E or whatever. Or ask separately about how you handle a possible legal claim. I mean this kindly - you’ve done yourself no favours here!

On the medical part - if you really have the worst headache ever, I honestly would contact 111 and ask their advice. A worsening headache definitely needs medical advice.

On the legal part - I was recently rear ended and it took significant effort on my part to keep telling my insurance company that I definitely, definitely wasn’t injured. A month later I’m still being deluged by claims company phone calls Hmm.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 22:10

I was not distraught at having to wait in a&e! I was distraught regarding the accident!
Jeez!
PLEASE READ THE POST! I asked if I could get an MRI because of the headache!!!

OP posts:
Peaspleaselouise · 13/12/2018 22:11

I am one of the negative posters, however I have had severe whiplash as a result of an accident that I took the company responsible to court - and won. I had - and still suffer from - years of horrific pain from it that made me physically vomit and put my life on hold for 4 years due to extreme pain (including headaches).

My comment was because, despite (or because of, looking at it another way) the severity, claiming was the last thing on my mind for quite a while.

dippledorus · 13/12/2018 22:11

So you were being a drama llama in A&E?

Two hour wait sounds good to me.

BlaaBlaaBlaa · 13/12/2018 22:12

I'm struggling hugely. I'm back at the consultant neurosurgeon tomorrow as the latest treatment hasn't worked.
I'm having to pay to go private in the hope my solicitor will get it back. The NHS wanted to sign me off work which is not an option. I love my job too much!

ExcitedForChristmas18 · 13/12/2018 22:12

I thought whiplash doesn't hurt for a few days after a minor accident? Am I wrong?

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 13/12/2018 22:13

Ok. I'm out. Claim away. Just a suggestion, your attitude needs to change a bit if you're going to be taken seriously. I work in the industry

slithytove · 13/12/2018 22:13

Also some years ago I did have to Make an injury claim. Started as whiplash (gp diagnosis next day) but 18 months down the line and many investigations later it turned out I had a compressed vertebrae. I will never be pain free, especially when sitting for a long time. I also suffered PTSD which had to be dealt with through therapy.

My claim covered loss of work, a lifetime health issue and cost of therapy. It was not a quick buck by any means and the payout wasn’t in any way comparable to not suffering with back pain every single day.

Claw001 · 13/12/2018 22:14

I should imagine most whiplash injuries resolve them self in a couple of weeks. MRI scans are probably done on the most severe cases or persistent,

skybluee · 13/12/2018 22:14

Yeah, I don't understand this at all. if I was having the worst headache of my life i wouldnt be online. i'd be in bed with my eyes shut. it doesn't make sense.

why on earth would you be thinking all of this on the DAY of the crash?

you've had medical treatment, i'd take the recommended treatment and try to rest. i wouldn't be looking up solictors. that's the kind of thing if you find yourself debilitated months later (like some of the awful stories in this thread - and i really feel for the woman who explained the stigma of having whiplash and people not believing her).

Oysterbabe · 13/12/2018 22:15

It's the JC guidelines that are used to determine the award. So a few weeks, £800, a year just under £3000. That's just for the neck injury. So headaches from bumping your head, any back pain or another area would bump it up a little bit.

Re wanting to claim about this accident?
Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 22:15

Peas I did not think of it right away but my thoughts just all jumbled and I thought if I can't work or care for my baby as normal in the coming days, should I be claiming and be compensated. That is all it is really.
I totally understand that some posters think it's unreasonable to think of claiming only 12 hrs after the accident and do see their viewpoint now.
I just think there are some nasty comments which are not required at this point.

OP posts:
dippledorus · 13/12/2018 22:16

How the heck are you online this much with the worst headache of your life?

I would be lying down in a dark room. With soothing sounds. Not arguing on the Internet.

skybluee · 13/12/2018 22:16

also i've been diagnosed with whiplash. i made no claim. i was recommended scans after about 6 weeks if i'm remembering correctly. it took about a year to resolve, but LUCKILY, it did resolve about 90%.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 22:19

dippledorus Thank f*ck i don't live on your terms and am still online. I dnt need to be in a dark room with soothing sounds if I dnt want to?
There are other posters who are gladly giving good advice which I am happy to receive.

OP posts:
Claw001 · 13/12/2018 22:19

oyster if you are in debilitated for longer than a couple of weeks, you deserve compensation. My point was a few hours worth, you can’t claim! Smile

dippledorus · 13/12/2018 22:22

Well it can’t be that bad a headache then.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 22:22

To the posters who gave sound advice, I will wait and see how the pain develops. Once again I feel really sorry for the posters who have had it bad and still suffering from whiplash months/years onSad
And thank you to those re advice about when to seek compensation and the right way to go about it.

OP posts:
irnbruforlife · 13/12/2018 22:23

@oyster, probably just average miles if that, tottering about town and the odd hour drive once every couple of weeks. All 3 accidents were clear third party fault, two were people driving into the back of us and one was someone pulling out in front of us when we going 60mph! Ive had whiplash enough times to know what it is. I think its funny people judging and spouting nonsense about whiplash when its evidently clear they have never suffered it before.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 22:25

irnbru Exactly.

dippledorus Thank you for the diagnosis.

OP posts:
Oysterbabe · 13/12/2018 22:26

Yes absolutely, if you recover in a few hours there's no claim. The process is the solicitor will organise a medical appointment, which is a usually a few weeks after the accident. The doctor will predict when a recovery will be made if it hasn't been already. The prognosis given by the doctor is used to negotiate the compensation amount. So if the OP sees a doctor next week and he thinks she's looking at a 6 month recovery then she will be paid for a 6 month injury if she choses to settle at that stage. She could wait 6 months then see another doctor if she isn't better.

irnbruforlife · 13/12/2018 22:28

after my last accident, i too had the most horrendous headache, worst Ive ever had. Was off work and spent most of that day lying in bed, on and off the internet including mumsnet. its not particulary difficult and it just kept me occupied and took my mind off the pain. Not seeing the problem here why people cant understand that.

Missingstreetlife · 13/12/2018 22:28

Watch for concussion too. Insurance should be informed, have your car locked at as well. Monitor pain and update insurance in a few days.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 22:29

Oyster
Thank you! That's a great explanation of the process as I was absolutely clueless!
I shall wait until next week then. I hope it does get better though as after reading about some of the comments, it seems it might seem ok in the beginning but get really bad with time... crossing fingers it's not the case with me

OP posts: