thanks for the response everyone....
i did get a lawyer for my personal injuries. his insurance had to pay off my car & is still in the process of paying off all my medical bills... because i got the lawyer, i didn't have to pay a single penny on any of them. i'm still in the process of settling with his insurance company because i'm still going to physical & occupational therapy. that counts a lot cuz my lawyer said the more medical bills i racked up, the better of a case i got against this guy. this dude completely messed me up- my left hand was swollen like a balloon (the air bag threw my hand off the steering wheel & hit something pretty hard when it deployed), seat belt burn across my chest, & had bruises all over upper body & face. my biggest advice for anyone who had to go through what i just went through: lawyer up! it's gonna help so much.