At-fault driver's insurer told me to 'just send my bills' — is that really how this works?

Not legal advice, but I want to clear something up because I hear this a lot — most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and they only collect a percentage if you win or settle. So 'I can't afford a lawyer' may not actually be true in your situation. At minimum it's worth a free consultation to understand what your claim might be worth before you start negotiating alone. Soft tissue injuries plus missed work plus ongoing PT can add up to more than people expect, and insurers know that unrepresented claimants typically settle for less.

The fact that fault is already established and documented is honestly a huge deal. A lot of people are fighting an uphill battle just to prove the other driver was responsible. You're already past that part. The road ahead is annoying and slow, but you're not starting from zero.

To answer your process question — there's no magic form you fill out to 'open' a bodily injury claim. You typically send a demand package once you've finished treatment (or reached what's called 'maximum medical improvement'). That package includes your medical records, bills, proof of lost wages, and a demand letter explaining what you're asking for and why. The insurer then has a window to respond. They'll either accept, deny, or counter. That back and forth is the negotiation phase. Sending things piecemeal before you're done treating is usually a bad idea because you don't yet know the full value of your claim.

I went through almost this exact thing after someone blew a stop sign and hit me. That 'just send us your stuff' attitude from the adjuster is VERY normal and honestly part of how they keep you feeling relaxed and unprepared. I made the mistake of sending everything over right away before I was even done treating. Do NOT do that. Wait until you've been discharged from PT or your doctor gives you a clear picture of where you're at. Once you settle, that's it — you can't go back for more.

Three things: 1) Don't settle until you're done treating. 2) Get every single expense documented — mileage to PT, over-the-counter meds, everything. 3) Look up your state's statute of limitations on personal injury claims so you know how much time you actually have. You're not in a race, but you also can't wait forever.

From a medical standpoint — soft tissue and muscle strain injuries are notorious for not showing up fully until weeks later, and PT timelines can be unpredictable. Please don't rush to settle before you and your provider have a realistic sense of your recovery. If there's any chance you'll need continued care or if symptoms change, that matters enormously to your claim. Make sure every appointment, every symptom, every bad night's sleep is documented somewhere — even in your own journal if nothing else.

Please don't let them record a statement before you know exactly what you're doing. They WILL ask. And anything you say can be used to minimize your claim — like if you say 'I'm feeling a little better' they'll use that. You're not obligated to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance. Be careful.