Insurance and Injury

[Button]

Hi,

I was in an accident a couple of weeks ago. The car will be being fixed by the third parties insurance.

Since the accident I have had a sore shoulder and haven't done anything about it and didn't really want to. Now it looks like I may have some muscle damage from the crash. Should I notify the insurance company now or is it too late? I don't want to claim but I'm afraid if I leave it in a couple of months I'll be suffering and paying big bills for hospital because of this.

I suppose my first question is to late to inform the insurance company and if I do will it affect the claim for the repairs to my car?

Thanks

 

[Resident]

as far as I know:

I think you have a couple of years to complain about physical injury, so no, not too late, and it shouldn't affect the car repair.

 

[Button]

Thanks Resident

 

[dats_right]

I wouldn't worry about informing the insurance company yet. What you need to do is make sure that your injuries are diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. You sound like a very genuine person and therefore you should not have any gripes or worries whatsoever about claiming legitimate expenses/losses arising out of the accident.

For a personal injury action the limitation period is indeed two years to bring a claim. Take a look at the Personal Injury Assesement Boards website www.piab.ie or contact a solicitor for more comprehensive advice.

 

[Resident]

I'd say your first port of call should be your GP,
if they've any concerns they'll send you for an x-ray and see how it goes from there,
it might be that they recommend physio, but you might be waiting a while to get it via the hospital and may end up paying for it yourself if more immediate relief is needed.

any specialist visits after that would depend on your feedback from GP/Hospital/Physio, although solicitors have been known to ask for a consultant visit or scan for what seems like window dressing at court. I would think if the GP/Hospital don't recommend it, you probably don't need it.

You do sound like a genuine case, so let some time pass even if you do receive treatments, so that a fair evaluation of damage and repair rate can be assessed.

good luck
and speedy recovery

 

[Ravima]

you have two years from date you were injured or realised that the injury was a serious injury to make the claim via PIAB. I would contact insurance company, tell them you have sore shoulder and that you are going to GP.

 

[Button]

Thanks for the information. I had my shoulder looked and my doc thinks I may need physio he will assess it in a month. Looks like I won't have any lasting damage which was what I was really worried about. I'll let the insurance company know today hopefully I wouldn't be claiming but no harm to let them know.

 

[rkeane]

I heard somewhere that insurance companies follow up on crash victims and offer them a settlement which waivers the right to claim anything in the future. However, I think they always pay out in the end hassle free. Also, make sure the insurance company pay for the doctor visit as it was a result of the crash.

 

[ACA]

I heard somewhere that insurance companies follow up on crash victims and offer them a settlement which waivers the right to claim anything in the future.

I work for an insurance company following up on people involved in accidents, as stated by rkeane. But by accepting a settlement from 3rd party insurance co you don't give up your right to take it further later if you decide to. The whole point is to keep solicitors out of the equation and ensure that any/all of the settlement goes to the injured party. The Ins Co will try to settle for less than you would receive in court BUT you don't have 2-3 years of hassle to get your cash (once you've signed off you get your settlement in about a week). Most companies try and settle in less than 3 weeks and the majority of minor cases close sooner. Even if you sign off on your claim, accept and cash the chq that the ins co send you, you can STILL go back to them at a later date and claim for more, if your condition deteriorates as a result of the accident, for example.