u/Rob-22-66

I’m looking for advice from anyone who has had a similar injury/claim, as well as any adjusters or PI attorneys who might have some insight.
I was a passenger in a pickup that was rear-ended in a six-car accident in May in Oklahoma. The other driver was at fault, Allstate accepted liability, and our truck was totaled.
I was diagnosed with a concussion without loss of consciousness and had headaches, brain fog, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, neck/upper back pain, and lower back pain with intermittent tingling into my left hip, leg and foot.
I treated for about two months and had cervical and lumbar MRIs. The lumbar MRI showed an L5-S1 annular tear and 5-6 mm disc herniation contacting the S1 nerve root. I stopped treatment because I felt I had plateaued and wasn’t getting much benefit from continuing the same treatment at every visit.
I’ve improved significantly and my pain is not severe, but I’m not back to how I was before the accident.
The doctor gave me a 12% whole-person permanent impairment rating under the AMA Guides and documented possible future treatment for 5-10 years.
My medical bills are $15k I also have just over $2k in lost wages.
Allstate has my records and is supposed to make an offer within the next few days. I asked about the at-fault driver’s limits, but the adjuster said he needs permission from her to disclose them. I also have $25k UM/UIM through Allstate.
I’ve made online inquiries with a few attorneys but am really torn about giving up 1/3 of the settlement when liability is already accepted. I haven’t actually spoken to an attorney yet.
For anyone with a similar L5-S1 injury, how did you do long term? And for those familiar with BI claims, how significant is a 12% whole-person impairment rating in a case like this? Would you see what Allstate offers and try negotiating first, or is this the point where having an attorney is worth the 1/3 fee?

My husband and I were rear ended on May 16, I was passenger. We were stopped at a red light when other driver slammed into back of us, pushing us and three cars in front of us all into each other. The other driver’s insurance has accepted liability.

A few days after the accident I saw my PCP and was diagnosed with a concussion. I had headaches, brain fog, blurred vision, neck and all over back pain.
About a week after the accident I started noticing my pain in my back becoming more noticeable in some areas, in particular my low and mid back area. I also developed intermittent tingling sensation that ran from my left buttocks/hip to my foot.

My PCP’s office does not accept third party billing and told me I would need to go to an accident clinic to be treated, which sucks, he would be the best to treat me since he has my whole medical history. But oh well. I’ve been receiving treatment at an accident care clinic since June 1st. It started as 4 visits a week and is now 3 visits a week. Treatment has consisted of adjustments, heat, electrical stimulation and one steroid injection into my upper back.

My lumbar MRI showed an L5-S1 annular tear, 5-6 mm left parecwntral disc herniation and contact with the left S1 nerve root.

My treatments have remained the same the entire time. As far as I can tell everyone else that is being treated there is receiving the exact same treatments as me. I have requested at home exercise multiple times that I can do, been told they would give them to me, but I’ve yet to receive anything. Last week the PA came in and said he was going to have me set up with the doctor for an epidural steroid shot. When I pushed back and started asking questions about impacts and was it really needed given my pain level had been consistent between a 0-3 that week, he agreed maybe I didn’t need it. It feels this clinic is just running through the motions and trying to keep me engaged to run up a bill.

I feel much better then I did after the accident but I am not back to my pre-accident self. At the same time, I’m honestly tired of going to this clinic. Every visit has essentially been the same. It makes me wonder if I’m improving because of the treatment or simply because enough time has passed.

My questions:

1. Would it be unreasonable to request discharge from the clinic I am going to and simply monitor my symptoms for a few weeks?
2. Would it be viewed negatively if I sought a second opinion from a physical therapist or spine doctor?
3. I know the insurance adjuster isn’t probably going to offer me advice but should I explain this to them? They have asked me to check in every once in awhile.

I do not have an attorney and don’t believe I will hire one. I’m genuinely trying to make the best medical decision. I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot and stop treatment too early if I still need it, but I don’t want to continue three visits a week when they don’t seem to be providing meaningful benefit at this point.