The Shoulder
The Shoulder
67
bold-hare-461

Got sandwiched by two vehicles on my way to work — car is gone and I have no idea what I'm doing

I've never dealt with anything like this and honestly feel totally lost, so bear with me.

Last week I was heading to my shift, stopped at a light, and got slammed from behind by an SUV going way too fast. The impact pushed me straight into the intersection where a pickup coming the other way hit my driver's side door. Two hits, one moment, car is completely destroyed.

Ambulance took me in. Doctors said nothing was obviously broken but I've got deep bruising across my ribs and torso — they think from the seatbelt doing its job. Breathing hurts. Laughing hurts. Existing kind of hurts. Follow-up appointment is scheduled for later this week to make sure nothing gets missed.

Here's where my head is at right now:

  • The rear driver who started everything is clearly at fault — there's traffic cam footage from the intersection
  • Both other drivers had insurance; I have full coverage myself
  • My car is almost certainly totaled; the insurance company already sent me a worksheet with "comparable" vehicles on it and I'm skeptical of their numbers
  • I work a physically demanding job and I genuinely don't know when I'll be cleared to go back

I'm 24 and have never filed a claim for anything beyond a fender bender. I don't know what I should be pushing back on, what to watch out for, or whether I even need a lawyer. I also don't know how loss of wages works when you're hourly and your schedule varies week to week.

If you've been through something similar, please talk to me. What do I do next? What did you wish you'd known earlier?

8replies

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8 replies

  • 24
    cool-tern-391

    Worked on the insurance side for years. The comp sheets are a starting point, not the final word — and adjusters know most people don't challenge them. If you find even two or three local listings that are priced higher than their estimate, submit them in writing and ask for a revised valuation. 'In writing' is key. Phone calls are easy to ignore or misremember. Emails create a paper trail.

    Also, don't accept a settlement on the vehicle until you're sure about your medical situation. Once you sign off on property damage it's usually separate from injury claims, but make sure you understand exactly what you're signing before anything goes on paper.

    • 22
      clear-swift-041

      Not legal advice, but — with two vehicles involved and injuries that are still being evaluated, this is the kind of situation where at least a free consultation with a PI attorney makes sense. Not because you necessarily need to sue anyone, but because having someone explain what your options actually are costs you nothing and might help you avoid mistakes that are hard to undo. Most will talk to you for free and tell you honestly if it's worth pursuing.

  • 18
    swift-mole-242

    That comparable vehicle worksheet they sent you? Be very skeptical. Insurers often pull comps from listings that don't reflect what you'd actually pay to replace your car — sometimes they cherry-pick lower trim levels or cars from markets hours away. Look up what your car actually sells for locally, screenshot the listings, and push back with your own numbers. You don't have to just accept whatever they hand you.

  • 17
    humble-raven-821

    I went through almost the exact same thing two years ago — got rear-ended into oncoming traffic, car totaled, thought I was fine until I really wasn't. One thing I wish someone had told me: keep a daily journal of how you feel physically. Even just two or three sentences. When you're dealing with bruised ribs, some days are worse than others, and having that written record helped me when things got complicated later. Don't just rely on the doctor's notes.

    • 13
      swift-heron-421

      First of all I'm really glad you're okay — that sounds absolutely terrifying. Please don't try to rush back to work before you're actually ready. I know it's stressful financially but pushing through a rib injury at a physical job can turn something manageable into something way worse. Take care of yourself first.

  • 13
    swift-crow-485

    Three things: document everything, don't talk more than you have to with the other driver's insurance, and don't settle anything until your doctors have a clear picture of what's going on with you medically. You've got time. The pressure to wrap it up quickly usually benefits them, not you.

  • 11
    brave-grouse-814

    For the lost wages piece: if you're hourly with a variable schedule, pull together whatever you can to show your average earnings — past pay stubs, direct deposit records, even your schedule history if your employer will give it to you. The more documentation you have of what you typically make, the stronger that part of a claim is. It's not hopeless just because your hours vary — it just takes a little more work to establish a baseline.

    Also, don't give the at-fault driver's insurance a recorded statement without understanding what you're getting into. They may ask — you don't have to say yes immediately.

  • 9
    keen-kestrel-546

    Please take the rib and torso bruising seriously. Seatbelt injuries can look minor on imaging but really affect your breathing, sleep, and ability to do physical work for weeks. Make sure your doctor knows exactly what your job involves — lifting, standing, whatever — so they can write documentation that reflects how your injuries actually impact your ability to work. Vague notes don't help you later.