Whiplash from low speed crash?

[Jase]

So yesterday morning I was rear ended on my way to work.  I was stopped at a light and a lady wasn't paying attention and hit me.

 

I had thought she hit me pretty hard considering the location (I had never been hit before) but when I got out of the car, was surprised to find very little damage.  Bumper had been crunched in but popped back out, repairs are only really a glorified paint job.

 

Fast forward to this afternoon and I started getting intense pain inside my shoulder blade whenever I turned my neck or leaned forwards/backwards.  Do you think the insurance company would think something fishy is going on if I told them to open an injury claim?

[PandaPancake]

No, it's quite common to not feel injured after being rear ended. Speed isn't as much of a factor as the mass of the object. 

 

I got rear ended stopped at a light ten years ago. It took about six years before my neck stopped hurting.

[Darth Biscuit]

Nope...  they may try and fight it, but that sounds legit to me.

 

You're bound to be sore the next day.  I'd at least get some chiropractic visits out of it...

 

 

Did you call the cops?

[Jase]

Nope...  they may try and fight it, but that sounds legit to me.

 

You're bound to be sore the next day.  I'd at least get some chiropractic visits out of it...

 

 

Did you call the cops?

 

No, and I realize that was a mistake. Given the small amount of damage to my vehicle, and the complete lack of damage to her SUV, I just got her insurance information and we went on our way. 

 

In my defense though, I was somewhat shocked and it was early on a monday morning.  And I'd never been in an accident before.

[natty]

Being hit when you're not expecting it is the perfect time to get whiplash.  If you see it coming you'll tense up.

[Darth Biscuit]

Not sure how that works, but she's still at fault I'm sure...  that might give them some more room to fight it however.

 

Maybe contact a lawyer?  Or call your insurance and ask them.

 

[natty]

If you didn't call the cops then it didn't actually happen.  I think even if the other person admits to it the insurance co still won't pay anything.

[Jase]

If you didn't call the cops then it didn't actually happen.  I think even if the other person admits to it the insurance co still won't pay anything.

 

I don't see how this is possible given there are some places where police won't even respond to fender-benders unless injuries or alcohol are involved.

[natty]

I don't see how this is possible given there are some places where police won't even respond to fender-benders unless injuries or alcohol are involved.

 

I wasn't aware of that, I'm guessing you still have to call it in?  I was rear ended once and it was similar to your situation - just a little ding - so I just got her insurance info.  The insurance company refused to pay.  Although it didn't matter since I totaled my car a couple of weeks later when someone pulled out in front of me, and then I got a new car and totaled that a week later by someone pulling out in front of me.  This was 15 years ago though.

[PandaPancake]

I wasn't aware of that, I'm guessing you still have to call it in?  I was rear ended once and it was similar to your situation - just a little ding - so I just got her insurance info.  The insurance company refused to pay.  Although it didn't matter since I totaled my car a couple of weeks later when someone pulled out in front of me, and then I got a new car and totaled that a week later by someone pulling out in front of me.  This was 15 years ago though.

 

You can't ever borrow my car.

[Jase]

I wasn't aware of that, I'm guessing you still have to call it in?  I was rear ended once and it was similar to your situation - just a little ding - so I just got her insurance info.  The insurance company refused to pay.  Although it didn't matter since I totaled my car a couple of weeks later when someone pulled out in front of me, and then I got a new car and totaled that a week later by someone pulling out in front of me.  This was 15 years ago though.

 

I looked it up and NC law requires that you report the accident to the police if any of the 3 apply:

 

1. death

2. injury

3. damage exceeding $1000

 

none of which applied.

 

still a dum dum move on my part not to call in the cops, though.

 

We have the same insurance company.  I wonder if that'll make a difference.

[Darth Biscuit]

I still say call your agent... or a lawyer if you know one...

 

Surely her insurance company is on the hook for any injuries.

 

 

Most likely it isn't that serious, probably just some soreness that will go away in a few days, but I'd at least go to the Dr and get checked.

 

Also, don't squat 500lbs today.

[PandaPancake]

Whatever you do don't tell your insurance company you're dead.

[Wyank]

I looked it up and NC law requires that you report the accident to the police if any of the 3 apply:

 

1. death

2. injury

3. damage exceeding $1000

 

none of which applied.

 

still a dum dum move on my part not to call in the cops, though.

 

We have the same insurance company.  I wonder if that'll make a difference.

 

They may try to say it was 50/50 fault so you both have to pay deductible.  Eases they burden on them for both cars.