My worst day EVER

Friday, 10/26/2007. The day that lives in enfamy. Long story. I wake up early and leave the house at 6:30 to go to see my chiropractor for a 7:00 apointment. It is raining but I am not complaining because we so desperately need the rain. So, I was on my way minding my own business when BAM. Some stupid fool decided to make a right turn from the left lane to go get a cup of coffee at Hardees. Now just let me tell you, next Tuesday I will be 41 and I got my drivers license on my 16th birthday. In 25 years I have not had a ticket or an accident. I was clueless. I was a shaking, frightened, clueless mess. When the police officer arrived, he could see how badly I was shaking, I couldn't even get my drivers license out of my wallet as my fingers felt 3 feet thick. He told me to just have a seat in the car and he would take care of everything. He was really nice. He came back and told me that he cited the other guy and that I could get a police report from the police station on Monday. I called my DH and we moved my car to my son's daycare down the road a short ways and my DH took me to work. Yes, I did go to work because we were already short handed 2 bodies on Friday. Believe it or not, I still got to work at 07:55. 5 whole minutes early after all of this commotion. My boss was shocked to see me at all since I had called her from the scene and told her what had happened. As the day progressed, so did the pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulder. By the end of the day I was in serious pain. Now, I have never thought of myself as a whiner. But, by 4 pm I was in agony so I hitched a ride, as I have no car, to my chiropractor so that he could have a look see. I filled out about a dozen forms for him and he took XRays of my neck. It was late afternoon so he didn't have time to read them. He gave me some BIoFreeze- something that stinks worse than ben gay, and some type of herbal anti inflamitory medication. He didn't adjust my neck or anything, just gave me the stuff and sent me on my way telling me to come back on Monday. I couldn't believe he wouldn't take a few minutes to check me out! I was totally disappointed in him. So, my DH picked me up from the Chiro and we went home. I went straight to bed and burried myself in the comforts of my blankets. DH took care of the little one and mommy just layed in bed and sobbed. I don't think I have ever felt so entirely out of control. It was such an experience for me. I think I am still in shock. I wound up going to an emergency medical clinic on Sat morning after getting absolutley no sleep on Friday night. They said it was a standard whiplash injury. Gave me some Vicodin and some muscle relaxers and said I should feel better in 3-4 days. The meds did help me sleep last night and I would say the pain is less today but still very uncomfortable. I just feel so violated. The accident, the chiro, the docs all seem to me to have been uncaring and undeserved. I guess I just want to hear someone, besides the DH as he has been a pillar of strength for me, say I am sorry for you loss and for your troubles. I just want to scream, I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS! I can totally see why some folks first reaction is to say give me a lawyer. I just feel violated and inconvenienced. Am I terrible? All I can think of is how inconvenienced I will be. I have No car. I can not go exercise because of the injury. My neck and shoulder hurt. I am just out of synq with my life. None of my regular routine exists or will exist for some time to come. Anyway, I just wanted to share my experience with you guys, my emotional support system. I would appreciate any words of encouragement or advice you may have. Please forgive me for the rant. Hugs, Valorie

Rant on, Valerie! HUGS to you. I'm so sorry you had to experience all of that. When I read the title of your post, I expected to hear that you had eaten badly and was shocked that someone had turned right in front of you and caused an accident. I do o hope that the pain is gone or almost gone right now and that your car isn't totalled. I'm also thankful that your husband has been by your side and helpful all weekend even if the doctor or chiropractor weren't. Let that chiropractor know! If he is anything like the ones around here, they want you coming to them for months and months on end so the least he could have done was take a few minutes for you on Friday! CeCe

Thanks CeCe. I appreciate your support. I am feeling a bit better today. My neck isn't as sore but it still hurts to move it suddenly. I plan on discussing the situation with my chiro this afternoon. That is provided I can get the car rental finished. I am getting the run around from the guys insurance company. It was a new policy on a newly acquired vehicle. 30 day tags. I guess that makes the insurance hassel even worse, for me anyway. Thanks again and I will keep you posted. Valorie

Valorie! I am soooooo Sorry to hear about the accident! I am sorry to hear that you have pain too - It is such an inconvenience for sure!!! But THANK GOD it wasn't more serious!!!! You are a trooper that you still went to work. Your chiro - shame on him. You should express your disappointment Thank goodness for DH! Do NOT let this accident get you off track. YOU HAVE CHANGED! You can get through this with out eating bad things. Keep focused and take care of yourself. Unfortunately - I think you will probably feel the pain for a few more days - hang in there you are in my prayers! sendinmg gentle hugs, Britt

Ms Britt, forever our cheerleader of the group. Thank you so much for your encouragement. Yes, I still managed not to self medicate with food this weekend. Actually, I had very little appetite. My DH had to beg me to eat something and I chose protein shakes. What a change from a year ago. I would have come home and consumed everything that was edible, maybe even a few things in-edible. LOL I have come a long, long way from those days! Thanks again, Valorie

Oh Valorie! i remember when I got in my first accident. I was only very young and had no worldly experience. Since then I've been in a couple, and each tiime I learn something new. I would like to offer you some advice on the legal side, because sometimes the trauma can cause you to not think about these things. It may be important to try to find a witness. You may want to consult with an attorney right away to get some advice on what you may need to do to cover yourself down the road. If they decide the fault is with the other driver, they will have some level of coverage to cover your medical expenses, however, you may have a claim for further damages than what the insurance covers. You may have a claim for lost wages due to time you may need to leave work to have medical treatments. I'm not saying go sue the guy, but you need to be proactive now to cover yourself in case you need more down the road to cover whatever may come up that you can't even imagine as of now. it's not taking advantage or being sue happy, it's covering and protecting your interests. I'm sorry this has happened to you. Please take care of yourself and get the medical treatment you need. The sooner your feel better, the sooner you will feel in control again. Take it easy!

Kim, I appreciate the advice. I am clueless as to this sort of thing as it has never happened to me before. I don't have any witnesses. I am sure other folks saw it but it was pouring rain and no one else stopped. The other guy was cited by the police officer. I received a copy of the police report today. His insurance has already started giving me the run around. It was a new policy, 30 day tags on a vehicle being transported from NY to Charlotte, NC by a third party. I have to have a rental today and I guess i will have to get it without the insurance claim since they tell me it will be at least 2 additonal days till the claim is entered into their system. Does this sould right? Like I said, I am clueless. Any advice is greatly appreciated. My insurance agent says- give them a few days, but I can not go without transportation for 2 more days! It is too mu*****onvenience for me to bum a ride everywhere. Thanks again, Valorie

It may take a couple days to get it set up. But keep all your receipts. Start a log of entries that include mileage to and from dr. appts. and keep all your receipts separate. Keep track of any time missed from work. It's going to be the other guy's insurance's job to deny and make things difficult for you. It's up to your insurance company to work for you. And sometimes they are not even that good at working for you. Someone may need to dog them. The reason I suggested a lawyer, is because they have ways of finding witnesses. He could go around to the businesses in the area that may have seen something. They can put ads in the paper asking for witnesses to call. A good personal injury lawyer can make a real difference. They know the law and know what the other insurance company can and can't do to jack you around. The other insurance company may try to intimidate you and play on your ignorance of the law and the situation. Please cover yourself. I'm so sorry this is happening, but it will probably be just the beginning of a long battle to get it closed. Don't give up.

Oh my goodness! Valorie. you have really been through the wringer! Isn't it scarey how life can change in the blink of an eye. You just don't know what can come at you next. You will be in my prayers. You are a determined woman. I'm sure you will fight your way back to normal soon. I'm sorry that you are going through this. Wanda

Wanda, You are exactly right. Life can change or end in the blink of an eye. I found this out firsthand on Friday. Just traveling to the chiropractor on my way to work, a typical Friday. No worries, no frustrations. Then BAM. Everything changed in one second. No warnings what-so-ever. It still rattles my brain to think of how very lucky I was. Yes, I was lucky. I lived to see my family again. Someone, somewhere on Friday morning I am sure was not as fortunate as I. Thanks for the prayers, Valorie