The whole process will likely take several months to even years depending on how long you're seeking medical treatment. An attorney will organize everything for you, retrieve your medical bills and records, gather and calculate all wage loss information and send it to the bodily injury adjuster. Depending on the state sometimes you can do what's called double or triple dipping which is basically collecting payment for your medicals bills two or three times aside from pain and suffering or wage loss. People always suggest to run out and get an attorney regardless of the severity of an accident, in my experience, the attorney will take at least 30% of your settlement. In the end, it is a negotiation with your adjuster, they will negotiate with you or your attorney. It comes down to if you can prove your claim. You have real, proven injuries and a case that your adjuster would not want to go to a jury...drunk drivers, hit and run, aggravated negligence can really sway a jury and settlement amount. Honestly, if you're comfortable with your abilities to organize all of your information, and clearly present what you are looking for to your adjuster, and you have a good relationship with your adjuster, it's something you can do on your own. People hear fractured vertebrae and think of paralysis or a lifetime debilitating injury, when more often than not, you just have to rest and let time heal it...same thing with ribs. Don't think I'm making light of your injuries, those are some of the most painful because there's little you can do to treat them. I'm sorry this happened and I know it's a huge inconvenience. There are alot of really good attorneys out there that would love to take your case, there are also alot of really good bodily injury adjusters that will give you an honest settlement. Best of luck!