Time off after major accident (Whiplash)-thoughts?

[Lostandconfused27]

I was in a major incident (which I didn't realise was major at the time) last Saturday on the M1.

Basically the traffic slowed to a stop quite quickly, myself and the two cars in front and behind me managed to stop, then a fiat piled into the back of us all at full speed.

If car 1 was the fiat, and I am car 4, car 1 went into car 2, which was slingshotted into car 3, which was pushed into me, and mine was pushed into car 5 (despite having foot on brake).
All big cars involved. Mine is probably going to be written off this week due to ths damage at ths back, and car 2 and 3 definitely will be as well. Car 5 (in front of me) had very minor bumper damage due to (I imagine) my foot being on the brake.

Walked away from crash fine, (or so I thought) so worked from home Monday and Tuesday. Had to go into work Wednesday (a colleague gave me a lift) and due to being on my feet all day was in agony by the days end. My back is so painful, I feel like I took full force of stopping the vehicles.

I have been to the doctors (on thursday) and they said I have whiplash and to self cert for a few days, and if I need signing off longer to get in touch with them.

Trouble is, I feel awful about taking time off. Don't get me wrong I'm super shaken and in pain, and don't feel ready to go back, but don't want them to think I'm pulling a fast one.

Anyone been through something similar?

I'm sorry OP you've had this nasty experience. You should take some time off to process what's happened to you mentally and to also ensure that you rest for a while so that your body has some time to repair. Do you work for an organisation that is not supportive?

I've had severe whiplash, it's agony. Take the time off you need.

Hopefully when you go back to work you will be given a return to work interview and you can explain that you'd seen your GP following the accident. If you've not had this before, you should definitely request one with your manager so that you can ensure what's happened has been placed on record as the reason for your absence, just in case you have any issues with your back that need to be followed up in the future (hopefully, you won't, but better to be prepared).

If the Dr is willing to sign you off, that is not pulling a fast one!

Whiplash takes 48 hours or so to emerge. Suggest you see a chiropractor and get an assessment of damage and some treatment and a care plan. This was what happened to me. The insurance company paid for the assessment and 15 sessions at the chiro. It really helped me plus you have some "official" evidence.

You're honestly better seeing a physio than a chiropractor

You need to book in with an osteopath or physiotherapist (osteopath worked best for me). You'll have to do it privately to get in quick, then put it through your insurance.

I had a similar accident, and ended up being the middle of the sandwich. Car 3 went into me (car 2) and pushed me into car 1 and then a lorry went into the back of car 3 and squashed us all up a bit more for good measure.

Fine at the time (running on andrenaline) but agony the next day, and I ended up in A&E. I only took a few days off as I was a contractor at the time but I had issues for months afterwards. With hindsight I'd have seen a physio much sooner. If I'd had sick pay I would have taken a full week off.