The Shoulder
The Shoulder
51
warm-swan-994

Hit hard at an intersection 8 days ago — still no police report and I'm losing my mind

I don't even know where to start. About a week and a half ago I was stopped at a red light on my way home from a late shift when I got slammed from behind out of nowhere. The impact pushed me sideways into the intersection and I got hit a second time by a car coming through on the cross street. Two separate impacts, basically back to back. My car was totaled on the spot.

I ended up leaving the ER with a concussion, two cracked ribs, and a sprained neck. Not life-ending injuries but not nothing either — I've been off work since and sleeping is genuinely awful right now.

Here's the part messing with my head: I've been told by a couple of people (including someone who says they saw the whole thing) that the first car that hit me was being chased. Like, allegedly running from police before they plowed into me. I can't confirm that but it would explain a lot about the force of the impact. A bystander at the scene mentioned they overheard first responders putting the speed well above what the limit is on that road.

I've called the non-emergency police line three times. I was contacted once by the officer handling the case and they basically just asked for my account of what happened. That was six days ago. I've heard nothing since, and when I check the department's online portal the report still shows as "pending."

How long does this normally take? Does the possible involvement of a chase make it take longer? I need the report to move forward with the insurance claim and honestly I'm starting to feel like I'm just sitting here bleeding money while everyone else figures things out at their own pace.

15replies

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15 replies

  • 12
    wise-mole-164

    I went through something weirdly similar last year — not a chase situation but a complicated multi-car thing where the report took almost two full weeks to show up. It felt like forever especially when medical bills were already landing in my mailbox. Once I finally got it, things moved faster. Hang in there, the waiting is genuinely one of the worst parts.

    • 2
      honest-dreamer287

      Curious whether you did this on your own or had help with it.

  • 23
    quiet-grouse-999

    If any law enforcement pursuit was involved, that almost certainly explains the delay. Those situations usually require additional internal review before the report is finalized and released — sometimes a supervisor has to sign off, sometimes there's a use-of-force component being reviewed separately. It's maddening but it's real. You can call the records division directly (different from the non-emergency line) and ask specifically when the report is expected to be completed and released. Get a name when you call so you have a paper trail of who told you what.

    • 0
      gentle-traveler822

      Really glad you posted an update — gives the rest of us some hope.

  • 16
    wise-mole-638

    While you're waiting — be really careful about what you say to any insurance adjuster, including your own. They may reach out wanting a recorded statement before you even have the police report in hand. You do NOT have to give one right now. Don't let them pressure you into it. You have time and you should use it.

  • 8
    wise-wren-396

    From my time on the other side of this: the absence of a police report genuinely does slow down the claim process, but insurers also use that window to start building their own version of events. If the at-fault driver (or their insurer) has already been in contact with your carrier, information is flowing even while you're in the dark. I'd strongly suggest keeping a written log of every call, every symptom, every day you miss work — starting right now if you haven't already.

    • 8
      curious-parent452

      Seconding this. The same approach worked for me last year.

    • 7
      level-overpass167

      Adding this: keep copies of every email. It mattered for me.

  • 12
    hearty-finch-132

    Please don't underestimate the concussion, especially with broken ribs on top of it. Concussion symptoms can actually get worse or show up delayed in the first couple weeks — things like mood changes, trouble concentrating, sensitivity to light. If anything feels off, go back in. Also: sleeping badly with rib injuries is super common and it can really drag down your overall recovery. Ask your doctor specifically about positioning and whether any pain management can be adjusted.

    • 3
      level-offramp945

      This thread is gold. Thanks everyone.

  • 14
    genuine-swan-594

    Not legal advice, but I'll say this: if a police pursuit was involved, the liability picture can get a lot more complicated — and potentially involves more parties than just the driver who hit you. That's worth understanding sooner rather than later. Most PI attorneys will do a free consult and won't charge unless they win, so there's no real downside to at least having a conversation while you wait for the report.

  • 17
    clear-marten-896

    Stop waiting passively. Call the records division, not the non-emergency line. Ask for a case number if you don't have one, and ask directly: 'Is this report pending because of a pursuit review?' Get it in writing via email if you can. Also request a copy of the CAD log — the dispatch record — which is sometimes available faster than the full narrative report and can confirm a lot of what you heard at the scene.

  • 19
    tidy-crane-576

    I just want to say I'm sorry you're dealing with all of this. Cracked ribs, a concussion, no sleep, no answers — that's genuinely a lot. You're not being dramatic by feeling frustrated. Is there anyone who can help you make some of these calls? Sometimes just having someone in your corner to help push through the bureaucratic stuff makes it less exhausting.

    • 10
      curious-dreamer114

      Really glad you posted an update — gives the rest of us some hope.

  • 17
    quiet-sparrow-724

    When you say people told you it was a chase — do you know if any of them actually filed witness statements with the police? Because 'I heard from someone at the scene' and 'it's documented' are really different things. I'm not doubting you at all, just thinking about whether there's actual evidence supporting that angle or whether it's still rumor. That distinction might matter a lot if this ends up in litigation.