This next type of case I see way too often.  Kim was involved in a "minor" fender bender, when she was rear ended by an inattentive driver. The bumpers were all that appeared to be damaged.    She didn't feel any signs of serious pain following the accident so she did not go to the hospital.  All she felt was a little neck pain and pain in his right hip.  A few months later she began having severe neck pain and headaches.  Since she never went to the hospital following the accident, she thought that she would not be able to make a claim for the pain she was now experiencing.

Eventually, the pain just became too much for Kim.   She finally went to her family doctor.  The doctor referred her to physical therapy and then she went for chiropractic care.   The insurance company told her that they would only pay a small portion of her medical bills, plus a few hundred dollars for her pain and suffering.    The insurance company denied that anyone could be hurt since there was so little damage to the cars, yet Kim had suffered significantly and this affected work, school and her enjoyment of life.   The insurance company refused to accept that she was seriously injured from a so called "low impact" injury.  Many "low impact" accidents do cause hidden injuries when the occupant is not expecting a sudden impact.

                Meanwhile Kim was hurting and her doctor advised her that she could not do the physical work that she had been doing in order to earn money for college.  When Kim came to me she was hurt, frustrated and had mounting medical bills.  The first thing I was able to do was to take the financial pressure off Kim by getting the medical bills paid by the insurance company.  I investigated the accident further and was able to prove that the accident was much worse than the insurance company told her.   I established that in addition to the bumper damage the whole frame was bend and caused buckling of the fender and side panel of the car.  I was able to prove to the insurance company that there were significant damages that were caused by the other driver.  

            Kim suffered through difficulties at school she was no longer able to run or even sit all the way through class without pain.    She was running out of money and although she was hired for a job she could not do the physical work and had to quit.

            I was able to get payment for all the past and future medical treatment she needed to get better.  I got the insurance company to pay for her lost wages from the work that she missed.  I got payment for having to retake classes that she did poorly at due to her pain.  Over and above this I got a fair and just amount for her pain and suffering. 

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