The Shoulder
The Shoulder
51
Car accidentscurious-owl-607

T-boned at an intersection — wife in rehab, I can't drive, feeling completely lost

I don't even know where to start. About three weeks ago our whole family got hit out of nowhere — I was driving, my husband was in the passenger seat, and our 15-year-old daughter was in the back. We were going through an intersection on a green light when a pickup blew the cross street and slammed into us on the driver's side.

My daughter had a pretty bad shoulder injury and a concussion. She's doing better and is actually staying with my sister right now while things stabilize, which I'm grateful for — but I miss her like crazy.

My husband fractured two vertebrae in his lower back. He didn't need surgery but the doctors are being cautious and he's been in an inpatient rehab facility for almost two weeks now. He's in a lot of pain and honestly the updates I get from the staff feel vague and clinical. I wish I could be there every single day but I'm still dealing with a broken collarbone myself and I'm not cleared to drive.

I keep relying on neighbors and coworkers to shuttle me around and I feel like such a burden. I'm barely sleeping. The house feels enormous and quiet. I keep replaying the moment of impact — the sound, the glass, my husband's face.

On top of everything the at-fault driver's insurance has already called me twice. I haven't said anything beyond confirming basic facts but I don't really know what I'm supposed to do here. We have significant ongoing medical bills and nobody has explained to me what the actual process looks like from here.

Has anyone been through something like this — juggling your own injuries while a spouse is in rehab and trying to figure out the insurance piece at the same time? How did you manage?

12replies

Not sure what your claim is worth?

AskMatlock can connect you with an independent injury lawyer for a free case check — no pressure, no cost to start.

Check my case

0 / 4000 · posted under a randomly assigned handle

12 replies

  • 16
    steady-fox-424

    Please stop talking to the other driver's insurance. Like, today. Those calls where they're asking how you're doing or just 'confirming facts' — that's not small talk. They are building a record they can use later to minimize what they pay out. You don't owe them anything beyond what's legally required and you should not be having those conversations without someone in your corner first.

  • 11
    keen-seal-763

    The rehab team should be giving you regular care conferences — if they're not, ask for one. You have every right to sit down with the team managing your husband's recovery and ask direct questions about his progress and discharge timeline. Also, don't neglect your own collarbone. Stress and poor sleep genuinely slow bone healing. I know that's easier said than done right now, but please try to eat and rest.

    • 7
      careful-neighbor945

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

  • 10
    patient-vole-497

    I am so sorry. We went through something similar — my mom was the one in rehab after our accident and I was trying to heal myself while coordinating everything. It is absolutely exhausting in a way that's hard to describe. The emotional weight on top of the physical pain is just brutal. You're not alone in feeling completely overwhelmed right now.

    • 12
      cool-wren-001

      Stop answering the insurance company's calls. Let them go to voicemail. You have no obligation to be available to them on their timeline. Get a consultation with a PI attorney before you say another word — most will do it for free. Your situation sounds serious enough that you really don't want to navigate this alone.

    • 8
      curious-survivor454

      How long did it end up taking in your case?

  • 9
    tidy-crow-903

    A few practical things that might help: First, keep a simple daily log — your husband's appointments, your appointments, any symptoms, any expenses, even mileage for medical trips. It sounds tedious but it matters later. Second, gather everything you can — the police report number, photos if you have them, any hospital paperwork. Third, most personal injury attorneys do free consultations and work on contingency, so there's no upfront cost to at least understand your options. Not telling you what to do, just things I've seen make a real difference.

    • 9
      hopeful-rider887

      Going through something similar right now. Did following up actually move the needle for you?

  • 8
    cool-owl-276

    Your daughter is safe and recovering. Your husband is getting professional care. You're still standing and fighting for your family even with a broken collarbone. That matters. It's okay to acknowledge how hard this is while also recognizing how much strength you're already showing.

  • 7
    kind-finch-049

    I used to work claims and I'll be honest with you — when an adjuster calls this early, especially after a serious multi-injury accident, they're often hoping to get a recorded statement or get you to say something that locks in your account before the full extent of injuries is even known. Your husband is still in rehab. You literally do not know yet what his recovery looks like. Don't agree to anything or sign anything right now.

    • 11
      spry-marmot-832

      I just want to say — the way you described replaying the moment of impact — please don't underestimate what that is. What you witnessed and went through is traumatic. If there's any way to talk to someone, even a crisis line or a counselor, please consider it. You are carrying so much right now.

    • 6
      calm-traveler222

      Did you have to escalate, or did they come around after the first ask?