After an accident

Car Accident FAQs

Every accident is different, and so is every injury.

These answers are general information to help you understand your options. They are not legal advice, and they don’t replace an evaluation of your own injuries.

A practical guide

Straight Answers to the Questions We Hear Most After a Crash.

After the Accident: Common Questions

I feel fine. Do I still need to be checked after a car accident?
Yes. Adrenaline can mask pain, and many soft tissue injuries, including whiplash, don’t show up for 24 to 72 hours. An early evaluation catches injuries before they settle in and records your condition close to the date of the accident.
Should I go to the emergency room or come to you first?
If you have severe pain, a head injury, confusion, numbness, trouble breathing, or any symptom that worries you, go to the emergency room or call 911. Emergency care rules out serious injury. We evaluate and treat the soft tissue, joint, and nerve injuries that emergency rooms aren’t set up to assess, so a visit with us is still worthwhile after you’ve been cleared.
How soon after an accident should I be seen?
As soon as you can, ideally within the first few days. Most of our accident patients are first seen within a week of the accident.
What if the accident happened weeks ago?
It’s still worth being evaluated. Lingering pain, stiffness, and headaches after an accident often have a treatable cause, and it’s better to address them now than to let them become chronic.

Injury and Symptom Questions

What are the most common car accident injuries?
Whiplash and other neck injuries, back pain, shoulder and knee sprains and strains, disc injuries, and concussions. Many people have more than one of these at the same time.
Why did my pain start a few days after the accident?
Inflammation builds in injured tissue over the first few days. Many people feel “not that bad” at the scene and noticeably worse two or three days later.
Can I have a concussion if I didn’t hit my head?
Yes. The rapid back-and-forth motion of a crash can be enough to cause a concussion on its own. A worsening headache, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, a seizure, or increasing confusion needs emergency care right away.
Will my injury show up on an X-ray or MRI?
Not always. Soft tissue and joint injuries often don’t appear on standard imaging, which is why a hands-on clinical evaluation matters.

Treatment Questions

What does treatment after a car accident involve?
It depends on your injuries. A plan at Complete Rehab QC can combine chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, movement rehabilitation, and joint work, adjusted as you improve.
How long will treatment take?
Mild whiplash often improves substantially within four to six weeks; more significant cases can take several months of consistent care, particularly when multiple structures are involved.
What happens if I stop treatment early?
Stopping before an injury has fully healed can leave you prone to recurring pain. Gaps in care can also make it harder to show how your injuries affected you.

Insurance and Legal Questions

Do I need an attorney’s referral to be seen?
No. You can schedule with us directly. If you have an attorney, we’re happy to coordinate with their office once you’re established as a patient.
Who pays for my care after an accident?
It depends on your insurance policies and the details of your case. Call our office before your first visit and we’ll talk through your situation with you.
Should I give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company?
You may want to speak with an attorney first. What you say early on, before you know the full extent of your injuries, can affect your claim.
Is there a deadline to file an injury claim?
Yes. Legal deadlines apply to injury claims, and they vary with the circumstances. A personal injury attorney can tell you which ones apply to you.

Have a question we didn’t answer? Call us or book an evaluation, and we’ll help you work out your next step.

After an Accident, Rule Out Serious Injury First

Call 911 or go to the emergency room for severe pain, a head injury, confusion, a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, numbness or weakness, or trouble breathing. Once serious injury has been ruled out, we can evaluate the soft tissue, joint, and nerve injuries an accident often leaves behind.

Request an Injury Evaluation

Request an appointment online, or call (480) 788-3424 to speak with the office.

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