Ugh. Accident.
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Hi Bernard, I only just got home from a trip so only just seeing this. Please don't be in a rush to declare yourself uninjured. It's very common when in a car accident to go into a kind of shock that wears off slowly, sometimes over a few days. During that time your body kind of puts up a shield that keeps you from feeling much.
I was in an accident last fall, and at first thought I was just fine, physically. Within a week I found out I had severe lateral whiplash, and a few months later a back molar cracked and broke off--the dentist asked me if I had been rear ended, because that was what it looked like, from his experience. It was ten months before all symptoms from the accident were at last resolved. The other driver's insurance took full responsibility and paid for everything, including OEM parts for my nearly new Subaru Forester.
As for the business end of things, you can still file a police report and should, if you haven't already. Was this a hit-and-run? Did the other driver have insurance? It's his insurance company that is responsible, and so your insurance company will probably go after them, since you haven't put in a claim with the other driver's insurance.
You should be entitled to 100 percent coverage for every out of pocket expense you have had, including the cab, the co-pay on the car rental, your deductible, plus compensation for inconvenience and wear and tear on your nerves. I'd even send the a bill for the roses and the prosecca and call it compensation for the anguish their driver caused.
I'm not a doctor or an insurance adjuster, obviously. Just speaking from my own experience in my own jurisdiction. It may be different with your insurance and in your state. If NH has an insurance commissioner, it could be well worth your while to call that office and find out what your rights are.
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BTW, the accident you describe sounds much, much worse that the little rear-ender I had last fall. I mean, it's hard to believe you weren't seriously hurt, especially if the car was totalled. I was hit in the driver's side while driving my Volvo, 45 years ago, very similar to the accident you describe, and found out only years later that I had suffered a concussion.
I'm glad you are feeling okay. Sorry about your car, but boy we all would be much sorrier if it was you that was totalled.
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Bernard, so sorry this happened to you. I have to agree with piqué about injury; it can be hard to know how badly you’ve been injured. The adrenaline kicks in and obscures the trauma.
As others mentioned, the insurance companies have these things down to a science. There’s a back and forth between the parties, all according to schedule. I remember all this from when I was hit by a car in 2020, and was covered by the car insurance my wife had, even though I was on my bike.
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I've been out of action for a couple of days - just checking in and saw - I'm so glad you're still here to discuss - and agree that sometimes in the heat of the moment, we overlook or are unaware of injury. I do hope the car replacement isn't too challenging.