I need some advice

[e_davis677]

On August 21st, 2008 I was heading East on Almost Street towards the Winsor/Almon intersection travelling at 40km/h. As I approached the light, there were no cars in front of me and I had a green light as I entered the Winsor/Almon intersection. A black VW Golf heading South on Winsor street ran a red light and struck me on the front left drivers side of my vehicle deploying both air bags on my drivers and passenger side. I was dazed for the first 5-10 seconds and by-standers got me out of the car. A witness who was driving in the car behind me called the police. Paramedics arrived 10 minutes later and treated me for burns to my left hand, right wrist and right middle finger from the airbag. The paramedics wanted to take me to the hospital but at the time I felt ok and wanted to stay at the accident scene until things were cleaned up. Approximately 30 minutes later while waiting for the police officers to write up a report my back and neck stiffened up, I got a severe headache and hearing decreased in my left ear. I called a family member who came and drove me from the accident scene to the emergency and was admitted immidiatley. I was seen by a Dr who said I have soft tissue damage in my neck and shoulders but no fractures. He gave me Rx pain medication and treated me for minor burns to my hands and wrists and said if things aren’t better to come in if symptoms get worse.

The other driver was completely at fault and was even ticketed by the police for running a red light. My car was written off, "2001 Honda Civic" and the insurance company offered me approx $8000 for it. I want to purchase the same vehicle however the Honda dealership has my same car with same mileage but not quite as good of condition as mine and they're selling it for $10,500. I pointed this out to the insurance company and wanted to go buy it there but they won't give me the money, I even offered to walk into the dealership with them if they didn't trust me for whatever reason but they said no they will not give me anymore than $8000 but I cannot find my replacement car for that much.

The other thing is my sick time runs out by weeks end and I have to go on Employment Insurance which only pays me 50% of my regular pay which will not even cover my mortgage, not to mention, electricity, water, etc.

That is my accident story. I've been off of work since the accident on sick time seeing a Chiropractor and Physiotherapist. My neck and back have gotten better however I suffer from severe headaches all the time and even nose bleeds.

My question is my insurance company is giving me quite a difficult time with everthing even though this was 100% the other parties fault (they use a different insurance company). Do I need to get a lawyer and will a lawyer help me to receive those extra funds required to purchase the car I mentioned? Also will a lawyer cost me too much because as you can see I will not be able to afford an extra cent of cash.

[rozerjack]

i read it but now i have less time so i'll be give my suggestion later.

The lawyer can help yes. And normally they will only take fees after they successfully resolve the insurance issue and you get paid.

You might tell the insurer that that will be your next step, immediately, if this is not resolved.

Sandy