Accident

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Auto accidents do more than cause an injury to the individual, they also cause grief, pain, suffering, anger, disbelief, insomnia, nightmares, migraines and more. I know, for I was involved in an auto accident Nov 2004. I was t-boned at an intersection (driver’s side) and then ended up striking a light standard. I was unconscious as a result. After I became aware of what happened, and was taken to the hospital, I was informed that a person ran the red light, but there were witnesses, “Thank GOD”.

Now the story becomes interesting. Yes, I have insurance, as did the person who struck me, but they decided to promote the fallacy that they had nothing to do with causing the accident. Yep, they proclaimed innocence, even after being charged and informed that witnesses were available. Must be that sick, scared logic a child feels, “if I don’t tell the truth, I will not get punished”.

Well, life has certainly taken a turn . My vehicle was a 2002 truck with less than 30,000 km, and I do say WAS. The vehicle was written off, no front end, no passenger side. My vehicle would have been paid off in 2 years. During my release from the hospital, I was not able to obtain a rental to drive, unless I paid for it myself. Ever find yourself wanting to go somewhere and you’re at the mercy of who ever has transportation? Yes, it was my fault for not ordering the loss of use of vehicle insurance, MY BAD DECISION.

Not having a vehicle wasn’t as bad as waking up every day with a new joint or muscle pain. Sleepless nights have plagued me since the accident. Walking has placed a degree of pain on my back and knees that it is not enjoyable. Dealing with insurance companies, since the new legislation, has become an area of consternation. Not only are we injured, in pain, and ill at ease, we have to endure the humiliation of dealing with them. Yes, we are here to assist, but really we’re an insurance company. Now, we are probed and analyzed to verify that what we feel everyday is in fact the truth, according to who????

Economic loss is one area I am really peeved about. I received compensation for my vehicle. But by the time I paid off the debt owning, there was a pittance left.  How do you purchase a comparable vehicle with a payment period of 2 years? You don’t!! Either you purchase a new vehicle and start payments over again for 4-5 years, or you buy a used vehicle with a payout after 2 years. Well, I purchased a used vehicle, a 97 Dodge Caravan Sport, and fondly remember what I had, and would have had, compared to what I now own.

The good news, I guess, is the party who caused the accident admitted they were at fault. So I received my deductible back. WHOOPPEE!!!! Physiotherapy sessions are my lot in life now, and appear to address the whiplash. Since treatment can only be given for one problem at a time, my knees, back, etc. have to wait for approval from the insurance company.

Yes, people who cause accidents think only about their insurance rates going up, damage to their vehicle and whatever else crosses their pea sized brains. But in the end, parties suffer in pain, sleep painfully, wake with less vibrancy and wish they could have their life back as it was.

Hey ALBERTA GOVERNMENT, your new insurance legislation sucks; it favors the bad driver since payouts to the damaged party are reduced. Ah, the good old days I long for, a lawyer who can get compensation for you, justly earned through pain. I believe that having a product or service that is compulsory to buy, promotes bad business ethics. The consumer is held hostage knowing they must purchase the product or service or be lawfully charged. Now where is the government when you need them?