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Hi folks -
Cabin fever is starting to get the best of me at last. Can't drive my two-wheelers, can't even drive my Crossfire (stick-shift). Walking any distance is painful. Argh. And to top it off, even my new wireless internet isn't reliable, so I'm feeling trapped, sore, bored, unproductive, and lonely.
Physical updates: The shoulder is improving, in that I can now move it (with my other arm) without wincing when doing so. The knee road-rash is mostly staying not-infected, as is the elbow. Both areas show impressive bruises, and the shoulder injury has a freakish swelling right at the A.C. joint. I can now make a fist with my left hand. I can also blow my nose (finally!) without feeling like I'm getting stabbed in the ribs. Discovered that pretty much every joint aches, including neck and back. I even have sore toes, it turns out.
Damage: The Aprilia is pretty much damaged on every surface, and the handlebar is done. I must have hit my head a little, because the plastic top separated from the foam underside. My nice wool coat is full of holes and stuff - I'm thinking of patching it and wearing it as a badge of something or other.
Costs: I had minimal insurance on the Aprilia, because I didn't plan to wreck it, insurance is expensive, and the only reason I'd get hurt would be due to someone else - so their insurance would pay for damages, right? Well, ain't that funny. My vehicle insurance will pay $1000 of my medical, after which my health insurance should pick, but no repairs or such. Kansas is a "no-fault" state, so I guess my insurance company will have to duel with the other driver's... or I have to sue to recover out-of-pocket expenses.
Advice: Do I need to get a lawyer to make sure I don't have to pay anything out-of-pocket on this? I've already had to do co-pay on meds, and I expect I'll get a bill from Lawrence Hospital emergency room and x-ray folks, plus the doctors, specialists, and physical therapists to come. What do I do next?
I know one thing I won't be doing anytime soon: Riding on two wheels. Not that I don't want to, but that requires two functional arms. Hmph. :-/
Best,
Chris
Cabin fever is starting to get the best of me at last. Can't drive my two-wheelers, can't even drive my Crossfire (stick-shift). Walking any distance is painful. Argh. And to top it off, even my new wireless internet isn't reliable, so I'm feeling trapped, sore, bored, unproductive, and lonely.
Physical updates: The shoulder is improving, in that I can now move it (with my other arm) without wincing when doing so. The knee road-rash is mostly staying not-infected, as is the elbow. Both areas show impressive bruises, and the shoulder injury has a freakish swelling right at the A.C. joint. I can now make a fist with my left hand. I can also blow my nose (finally!) without feeling like I'm getting stabbed in the ribs. Discovered that pretty much every joint aches, including neck and back. I even have sore toes, it turns out.
Damage: The Aprilia is pretty much damaged on every surface, and the handlebar is done. I must have hit my head a little, because the plastic top separated from the foam underside. My nice wool coat is full of holes and stuff - I'm thinking of patching it and wearing it as a badge of something or other.
Costs: I had minimal insurance on the Aprilia, because I didn't plan to wreck it, insurance is expensive, and the only reason I'd get hurt would be due to someone else - so their insurance would pay for damages, right? Well, ain't that funny. My vehicle insurance will pay $1000 of my medical, after which my health insurance should pick, but no repairs or such. Kansas is a "no-fault" state, so I guess my insurance company will have to duel with the other driver's... or I have to sue to recover out-of-pocket expenses.
Advice: Do I need to get a lawyer to make sure I don't have to pay anything out-of-pocket on this? I've already had to do co-pay on meds, and I expect I'll get a bill from Lawrence Hospital emergency room and x-ray folks, plus the doctors, specialists, and physical therapists to come. What do I do next?
I know one thing I won't be doing anytime soon: Riding on two wheels. Not that I don't want to, but that requires two functional arms. Hmph. :-/
Best,
Chris
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888-529-8443.
Convalesce quickly, sir.
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And remember to get
(I know that is how it is with bike and horseback helmets, I'm thinking it is the same with motorcycle helmets. I may not be totally up to date on that tho.)
Get well soon! But take it easy!
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Re: And remember to get
Oh, and welcome to the "no-fault" insurance state. Michigan's automotive insurance is set up similarly.
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Re: And remember to get
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having had car insurance in several different states
On the plus side, it means things work more quickly, as there's no delay for the insurance companies to decide who's responsible and hork up the money. On the down side, it means your insurance always has to pay.
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Re: And remember to get
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Cookies!
You can ask my FIL about the lawyer thing since he is one and this is what he does. If anything, get advice just in case you have long-term medical costs for your shoulder.
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I should call your FIL. Could you please email his contact info?
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Sorry you're all hurt and sore. I have no useful advice, other than plenty of Matzo Ball soup which cures EVERYTHING.
I am glad to see you typing and complaining about stuff. That means you're not dead. Which would be a huge suck.
Feel better!
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Wish I had some matzo-ball soup, but bratwurst-flavored pasta seems to help, too ;-)
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crummy way to spend a summer.
i hope you heal fast.
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(Only $1000? Jeez, up that!! seriously, it doesn't cost that much more on your policy)
You will need to get an attorney with all this. Keep the damaged clothing, take pictures of your injuries, turn every receipt in. Unfortunately, you may end up with out-of-pocket up-front expenses, but once you're in litigation with the insurance, those bills can be delayed.
oh, and like they say on the crappy tv ads, don't talk to the other insurance co. At all.
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Planning on seeing a lawyer as soon as I can figure out how to get to see one.
Thanks for all the advice!
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Kansas law does require 4500 minimum, I'd take another look at your policy, it might be there.
Never mind getting to a lawyer, call them and look around on this website for more advice. I wish I'd known about it when I got hit. And give my regards to the fellas at Mac's dad's firm. :)
ETA.. you can look around that website without having to register, that's what I did. I didn't trust it wouldn't spam me if I did, and I got the info needed without it.
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Please get well and if you need to vent, let me know. I went down this road and was fortunate enough to get a decent settlement from the other guy's insurance, but not before they accused me of throwing myself under his truck.
Institutional evil = insurance companies. And they wonder why we have this ambivalent relationship with them?
Hugs of the zen variety --
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Chris: get better soon!
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AC joint injuries can be weird, I injured my shoulder in a fall a couple of years ago but it didn't start giving me real trouble until months after the injury. I foresee that your PT will assign you many strange and seemingly silly exercises.
Hope you heal quickly.
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I can't wait to start that PT. Hooray.
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That said, i'd get a lawyer, anyway, because all this BS was not your fault, and honestly, just think that that girl is just walking around like nothing went wrong in her day. It's not fair, and you need to be compensated for your time, your injuries, and your losses. It's the only dignified thing to do.
You can come watch us move, if you need to get out of the house?
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I'll defer to more knowledgeable people above on legal matters.
Good luck with the shoulder, the hospital, and the insurance companies.
(I wish I was there - I'd be glad to entertain and help you out. Though I can for a couple days here in two weeks.)
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Would be awesome to have you around to do a bit of gaming. I could sit in a chair with many pillows supporting my arm, and you could shuffle for me!
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Its probably one of those things that your bike probably should be totaled out from a insurance standpoint, ie cost of fixing vs value. Finding, pricing, and buying a replacement will be a big mess since they seem to be kind of hard to find.
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It's not my cool, new carbon-fiber helmet that took the hit; it's my old bicycle helmet! That's what I wear around town when it's above 90° Fahrenheit.
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Of course, if it's not that clear-cut save and make every bit of documentation you can, and if there's any trouble, get a lawyer.