The Insurance and Whiplash Guide I Hope You’ll Never Have To Use
But If You Do You’ll Be Glad You Read This First!
A special thanks goes to Dr. Steven Eggleston, DC, Esq. for his expertise and his years of service to his fellow man.
What you’re about to learn may prove to be some of the most valuable knowledge you ever have because it my save your life, your money, your house, and everything you hold dear in this world. This information isn’t some secret from the depths of King Tut’s tomb, it’s information everyone has access to, but most never look for it until it’s too late.
With nearly 200 million people driving in this country chances are you’ll be involved in at least one car accident. Obviously some car accidents are worse than others, but all of them have the potential to cause damage to you and everyone else in your car, even if the speed is less than 5 mph and there was no visible damage to either car.
This little guide is designed to help you PURCHASE THE RIGHT KIND AND AMOUNT OF CAR INSURANCE so that almost any expense you incur following an accident will be covered. And this guide will give you advice on what do following an accident so you and everyone in your car can get the medical attention they might need.
Get The Right Type AND Amount Of Car Insurance
BEFORE You Get In An Accident
It has been my experience that most people purchase car insurance based on how much they will have to pay in monthly premiums. The cost of your monthly premium is certainly a factor to take into consideration, but its only one factor and not the most important. Making sure you have THE RIGHT TYPE AND AMOUNT OF CAR INSURANCE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR. Having just the state required minimums will get you on the road and keep you out of jail, but will hardly cover your expenses if you were involved in an accident.
Take some time to understand the different types of insurance and then speak with your agent to help guide you into getting adequate amounts of each type of coverage you want.
Quick Tip: I recommend working with an independent insurance broker rather than a captive insurance agent that only sells insurance from one company. If you go with one of the big name companies you’ll only get to chose from what they have to offer. The insurance broker can shop around with all the different insurance companies and find you the best deal while still giving you all the coverage you need.
Dean & Dean Insurance Agency 530-342-3016
Here are the different types of coverage: MEDICAL PAYMENTS
This pays the bills for the doctor, hospital, ambulance, chiropractor, acupuncture, dentist, and physical therapist if you are injured in a car accident. Just a quick ride in an ambulance and a visit to the emergency room can add up to $3,000, $5,000, or $15,000 or more in a hurry. The cost of getting this type of insurance is very inexpensive. It covers you even if you’re riding in someone else’s car and it pays the bills even if the accident is your fault. It’s recommended that you purchase the maximum amount and make sure there is little to no deductible.
UNINSURED MOTORIST
This pays for your pain and suffering if the person that hit you has no insurance or not enough to compensate you fully. It is not expensive so it’s recommended you purchase the maximum because it’s protecting you.
COLLISION
This pays to repair your car after the accident even if the accident was your fault. If you caused the accident you’ll have to pay a deductible first, but the insurance company will often waive the deductible if the accident wasn’t your fault.
COMPREHENSIVE
This pays you if your care is stolen, vandalized, or broken into and things are stolen from it. LIABILITY
This pays for injuries to other drivers in you cause the accident. It’s the only coverage required by law in California and many insurance agents sell you only this coverage and call it “full” coverage. Now you know this is hardly “full” coverage so make sure you have more than just this type of insurance.
RENTAL CAR REIMBURSEMENT
If your car needs to be repaired after an accident you may need to rent a car in the meantime. TOWING
Your vehicle may need to be towed to the repair shop from the scene of the accident. This coverage will reimburse you for any towing expense.
As you can clearly see purchasing just enough insurance to get you legally on the road is hardly enough insurance to put your life and the life of your family back together following an
What To Do (and not to do) In The First 30 Days Following An Accident
***This is where you really need to pay attention!***
Having the right types and amounts of car insurance is a great start, but it’s only the beginning. What you do in the moments immediately following an accident and what you do in the first few days or weeks can dramatically affect the rest of your life and the life of your family. Again, be smart and be prepared.
Remember, insurance companies and their claim handlers deal with accidents daily and chances are you will only have one accident in your whole life. You are at an extreme
disadvantage here. Also, remember that insurance companies make their profits by keeping money, not shelling it out to their clients (that’s you). They will use every trick in the book to limit how much they have to pay out.
If you are able (which may not be the case depending on the accident) try to get the following information from the other driver in the first 15 minutes after the accident;
First and Last Name License Plate # Home Address Driver’s License # Cell, Home, Work #
Insurance Company Name and Phone # Insurance Policy #
TAKE PHOTOS OF BOTH CARS CALL THE POLICE
DO WHAT THE PARAMEDICS ADVISE YOU TO DO (LIKE GET IN THE AMBULANCE) What follows is general advice that will help protect you and your family, but every case is different and the best thing to do is contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. Until then, do this;
1. DON’T give a recorded statement to the insurance agent when they contact you. Once you have an attorney they will communicate with the insurance company for you. If you speak with the insurance agent directly they may trick you into saying something that will hurt your case.
2. DON’T sign any papers the insurance company sends you without consulting an attorney first.
3. DO NOT cash the $1,000 check the insurance company will send you “for your injuries” or “to pay your doctor bills.” If you do, you case is over forever no matter how much your doctor bills amount to in the furture.
4. DON’T sign a “Medical Authorization” or “Authorization to Release Medical
Information.” This gives the insurance companies full access to your medical history and they’re looking for any excuse to not pay you.
5. Pay your doctor bills as they occur – even if the accident wasn’t your fault. Our United States justice system is set up to reimburse you for your expenses. Some doctors will work with you on a lien basis (which means they are willing to wait until your case settles before they get paid), but that can actually hurt your case. Insurance adjusters are trained that all fraud cases on done with medical liens. When you pay your own medical bills the adjuster knows it’s not fraud and your case will likely settle faster and for more money.
6. Follow your doctor’s advice and show up to your appointments. If you don’t the insurance company will assume you must not be hurt and that you’re just trying to get more money.
7. Tell your doctors everything that is wrong with you since the accident.
8. Tell your doctors whether you pain is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same. 9. Tell you doctors if your pain frequency is increasing or decreasing to more hours of the
day, or about the same number of hours each day.
10. Do everything you can to get well as fast as possible. You only get one chance to get well and studies show 67% of all whiplash patients still hurt five years later.
11. Get a second opinion if your doctor’s treatments are not helping.
Understanding Whiplash
The term “whiplash” is a general term that doctors use to describe the complex injuries that occur during car accidents. Whiplash includes injuries to your muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs, nerves, and brain.
Car accidents, even minor accidents less than 10 mph, violently shake your head and neck for 300 milliseconds causing injuries to several types of tissues, not just muscles. With proper care muscle injuries can heal completely in 3-6 weeks, but the other injured tissues (ligaments, tendons, discs, nerve, brain) may take several months to heal and sometimes they will never completely heal leaving you with pain and symptoms for the rest of your life.
When you find a doctor to help you after the accident make sure they have experience treating whiplash victims and that they fully understand the different types of tissues and structures that might have been injured in your accident.
You should understand a little about each of the following so you can ask your doctor about them;
1. Torn Ligaments 2. Disc Herniations 3. Spinal Cord Pressure
4. Peripheral Nerve Pressure 5. Brain Concussion
TORN LIGAMENTS
Ligaments hold your bones together and they are very strong so it takes a significant amount of force to damage them and once damaged ligaments never completely heal. Due to the physics involved a car accident, even a slow one, can easily provide enough force to tear a ligament. Getting a torn ligament in a car accident is common and explains why many whiplash victims (67%) still have pain and symptoms 5 years after the accident. If you still have pain 6 weeks after the accident you and your doctor should suspect a torn ligament.
DISC HERNIATION
A disc Herniation will generally cause your arm or leg to tingle or be numb constantly. An MRI is the best way to see a disc herniation. If you have nearly constant tingling or numbness in your arm or leg ask your doctor about getting an MRI if they haven’t ordered one already.
Depending on where in the spine your disc herniated it may cause SPINAL CORD PRESSURE or PERIPHERAL NERVE PRESSURE. The most common symptom of either is numbness and tingling in an arm, hand, finger, leg, foot, or toe. Work with your doctor to determine if you have either. BRAIN CONCUSSION
One of the most under-diagnosed injuries in a car accident is a concussion. Common symptoms include:
1. Headaches
2. Fatigue or dozing during the day 3. Memory problems
4. Difficulty concentrating 5. Higher blood pressure 6. Irritability
7. Mood swings 8. Anxiety 9. Depression
10. Bumping into things (poor balance) 11. Loss of libido
12. Hearing problems
13. Change in sense of taste or smell 14. Difficulty reading
15. Blurry vision
16. Weakness in arms or legs
A concussion is a serious problem and your doctor should be able to test you for it. If you have a concussion follow your doctor’s recommendations, but if you feel your doctor is lacking experience in this area then get a second opinion (preferably from a neuropsychologist).
Do You Really Need An Attorney?
YES! At the very least get a consultation from an experienceD P.I. (personal injury) attorney. Your attorney does not have to live near you to help you.
I personally recommend: Dr. Steven C. Eggleston, DC, Esq
2601 Main St. Suite 800 Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 261-2872
DoctorEggleston@yahoo.com http://www.hbtinstitute.com/
As I mentioned in the title, I hope you never get in an accident, but if you do you’ll be glad you read this report!
