Medical and/or Wage Investigation

I get a letter from my insurance company the other day with status about my claim.

It says they are currently investigating medical expenses and/or wage loss.

Medical and/or wage loss? Huh?

First thing through my mind honestly was "I hope she's ok", then the guilt of causing someone injury set in.

Then some aggravation.

But mostly guilt.

What's interesting is the response I get from most people when I relate the story. Most people immediately scoff at our litigious society.

Normally I'd agree.

It's easy to scoff at something you're not physically attached to. I physically hit this woman in her car with my car. I don't feel like I have choice to scoff. I have to make the benefit of a doubt, hope she's really ok, and feel guilty for the accident.

Every once in a while it runs through my head that she was walking around seemingly ok at the scene and a tinge of scorn rises up, but you know how those things go. Car accidents can cause all kinds of aches and pains the next day.

I called the insurance company to get more information. The injury was described as a soft tissue wound (i.e. a bruise) that should heal in a number of days. The agent even had a slight attitude of contempt.

When the agent asked if there was anything else she could do for me, I said "No, unless you can help with the guilt?"

- b