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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:
Claw001 · 14/12/2018 08:31

How’s the headache and pain today OP?

DeepanKrispanEven · 14/12/2018 08:31

No wonder hospitals are struggling if everyone rushes to a&e with a headache.

Self-evidently it is nonsense to suggest everyone rushes to A & E with a headache. However, it is also dangerous nonsense to suggest that every headache is trivial and should never merit an A & E visit. In this case, as loubluee has pointed out, whiplash injury can have very serious consequences and medical attention is clearly merited.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 14/12/2018 08:46

Claw The headache feels better thank you but my shoulders and lower back hurt more than yesterday. Tbh I did not feel much pain in my lower back until I woke up this morning.
I wonder whether I should see the GP today or wait until Monday and keep taking the Naproxen?

loubluee Shock I am so sorry about that. Spinal surgery though?! That's pretty darn serious. I totally understand why you think it was stupid of you not to fight but it wasn't your fault.
I am quite stressed out atm because I keep thinking the pain is going to get worse and I will have to get signed off work and will not be able to care for DD as normal Sad

OP posts:
Claw001 · 14/12/2018 08:53

Depends on the pain OP. If the Naproxen is not touching the pain, go to the GP.

BlaaBlaaBlaa · 14/12/2018 09:06

Tbh did they give you any codeine? I was given naproxen and codeine and tbh that about as much as they can give you.
Just watch the naproxen....if you're on it long term you'll need omeprazole too.

Best thing to do is rest but don't stop moving completely and see how you are in a few days. They won't do anything else until they can see it's a long term problem - believe me! It took me 7 months to get an MRI! Unless you go private ( which my doctor told me I should do and bill the insurers) you'll have a long wait for anything on the NHS and even then they just tend to go for pain management.

Botanica · 14/12/2018 09:08

FFS!!!

It's only the same day, you describe it as a minor accident, and you have absolutely no idea as yet whether your symptoms will persist or cause you a long term problem. Yet you've clearly already decided they will.

Never mind seeing stars, you're already seeing the flashing $$$ signs in your eyes.

Compensation culture in a nutshell.
No wonder insurance premiums are sky high.
Hope the insurers see right through you.

Botanica · 14/12/2018 09:10

I genuinely do hope you feel better soon OP but just can't stand this way of thinking.

Straight to the money...

brighteyeowl17 · 14/12/2018 09:11

Your insurer will probably ask if any injuries and then suggest their partner lawyers if you wanted them to act. That’s what’s happened to us when we have had accidents.

brighteyeowl17 · 14/12/2018 09:13

Not sure some of people on here are thinking clearly when saying headaches can be trivial. A lot of damage can be caused from a bump. A friend of mine hit her head on steering wheel in what was a minor rear end shunt but the angle at which she hit it caused brain trauma and six months of slow speech, she couldn’t add up and had to be off work as a teacher as she couldn’t remember anything properly 🤨. Headaches are NOT trivial.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 14/12/2018 09:14

Blaablaa I thought so too.
I just really hope the pain won't persist. I need to be physically fit for work and also to care for my 10.5kg very active baby.

Botanica Right. Thank you, Next.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shehz21 · 14/12/2018 09:17

I am not sure whether you RTT Botanica but many posters feel I definitely should claim compensation for pain and injury.
It's not just some 'quick buck' and might take ages but I still believe I am entitled should the pain persists and should I suffer from any financial losses. A PP claims it was stupid of her not to have claimed as she is now not able to work and awaiting major surgery.

OP posts:
BlaaBlaaBlaa · 14/12/2018 09:22

Fingers crossed for you. That's been my problem. I have a very active toddler and job that requires me to think - they tried me on amitriptyline for the nerve pain. That was bloody awful!
I've managed to keep going but I'm ready for a break! Roll on Xmas!

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 14/12/2018 09:24

@Botanica exactly!
I have no issues with compensation where it's due but this is ridiculous!

For the record op naproxen doesn't touch my headaches but other combinations of painkillers do

pumpkinpie01 · 14/12/2018 09:24

Hi - sorry to hear this has happened to you. I work in the insurance industry so have some experience of personal injury claims. You should most definitely put a claim in, (you have 3 years to do so), whoever you choose to pursue the claim for you will request your hospital and doctors records and may refer you for physio if your symptoms worsen. Do you have a legal policy that is running alongside your motor policy ?

Claw001 · 14/12/2018 09:27

OP I think that is what some posters are struggling with, you thinking ahead about claiming a few hours after the accident.

The posters who have advised about claiming, have stated IF the pain persists.

MotorcycleMayhem · 14/12/2018 09:38

There a reason the emergency services call whiplash which appears at the scene of a crash "whipcash".....

Phone your insurance company. Tell them about the damage and describe your symptoms.

My DH clipped the outside rear corner of a car on his motorbike at 20mph. Entirely his fault. Damaged their bumper. £250 to repair through insurance. DH wrecked his brand new £200 helmet, caused £300 damage to his bike and was off work for two weeks with his injuries. A year later and he still has problems with his elbow, but it's his own fault, so no compo.

The driver of the car claimed £3k whiplash and got it. Our insurance company just paid it, even though the driver didnt take a day off work. We disputed it with our insurers, but they said they wouldn't spend the money to quibble it in court even though it wouldn't have been possible for them to have had whiplash in the circumstances.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 14/12/2018 09:41

Claw And as already mentioned many times in my post before, I will wait but most stories so far about whiplash turned out to be ongoing/worsening pain so I want to get my ducks in a row,should I need to claim after some time. I was clueless about the whole procedure and asked for advice. That is all. I am a planner and think ahead always, maybe a flaw in some peoples eyes but just the way I am. I do not want to end up not being able to work and not being compensated for it in the long term. I always think of worse case scenarios. And some scenarios of PP here have confirmed my doubt that the pain might worse and linger for months/years. I still wholeheartedly hope the pain gets better in my case.

Pumpkinpie Tysm for the advice. I had no idea I have 3 years! That's great receiving advice from someone in the insurance industry!
Yes I do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shehz21 · 14/12/2018 09:43

sugarhunny I was offered Naproxen. I have been taking it since last night and it's not touching the pain. If the pain persists, I'll go see my GP and hopefully get a combination of painkillers that help.

OP posts:
irnbruforlife · 14/12/2018 09:45

Car insurance isn't profitable 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I didn't even need to Google that to know it was a pile of shite, but I did anyway [http://www.claimsmag.co.uk/2017/08/thompsons-asks-insurers-justify-increase-profits-car-insurance-premiums-continue-rise/9195 auto insurers asked to justify premiums increase after healthy profit rise]]

Claw001 · 14/12/2018 09:50

I totally agree! If the pain persists you are entitled to compensation.

Some posters are finding it a little premature! Your OP seemed to suggest you were thinking of trying to claim immediately.

Nothing wrong with enquiring, just in case Smile

EerieSilence · 14/12/2018 09:56

You need to prepare yourself for claiming. Get your baby checked too. Those things can drag on for years and years and you may see a steep increase in your expenses on physio.
Don't feel sorry for the other driver, chances are she wasn't as badly impacted as you and at least she will learn to keep safe distance from now on.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 14/12/2018 09:57

Claw I do apologise if I seem to be defending myself a lot but I am definitely in for a quick buck. If the pain gets better and I am still able to work and care for DD, all's good! Crap Christmas for me though this year, I am not gonna lie back hurts so bad that all I want to do is lie down and cryXmas Sad

OP posts:
pumpkinpie01 · 14/12/2018 09:59

Your legal representatives will appoint a solicitor on your behalf who will pursue the third party insurers for you at no cost to you. Ask your insurers if you have cover for a replacement car seat if not then the legal reps will claim for this direct from the third party.

Oysterbabe · 14/12/2018 10:01

Direct Line only made 615 million profit last year irnbru, half of which is from motor. I was thinking of starting a fundraiser for the poor souls.

Claw001 · 14/12/2018 10:02

but I am definitely in for a quick buck Grin

Nooooo, your point is you are not 😂

Joking aside, you need to see GP, to try and get the pain controlled. Particularly as you have little one to care for Flowers