What to Do After a Car Accident

• Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if a vehicle can’t be moved, or if the scene isn’t safe
• Check yourself and your passengers for injuries, and don’t move anyone who may have a neck or back injury unless they’re in danger
• Call the police so an officer can document the accident, even if the damage looks minor
• Exchange names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plates, and insurance details with the other driver
• Photograph the vehicles, the road, traffic signs, and any visible injuries
• Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw what happened
• Stick to the facts when you talk about the accident, and avoid guessing about who was at fault

Adrenaline can hide pain for hours or even days. Many accident injuries, especially whiplash and other soft tissue injuries, show up 24 to 72 hours later, once inflammation sets in.

If you have severe pain, a head injury, numbness, confusion, or trouble breathing, go to the emergency room or call 911 right away. Once serious injury has been ruled out, a thorough musculoskeletal evaluation is the next step. It looks at the soft tissue, joints, and nerves that emergency rooms aren’t set up to assess.

• Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as you reasonably can
• Schedule an evaluation within the first few days, before pain has a chance to settle in
• Write down how you feel each day, including pain, stiffness, headaches, sleep, and anything you can’t do normally
• Keep every receipt, bill, report, and appointment note in one folder
• Be careful about giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before you understand your injuries
• Think twice before posting about the accident or your injuries on social media

Recovery is a process, and the way you handle it matters for your health and for any claim you make.

• Follow your treatment plan and keep your appointments, since gaps in care can slow recovery and raise questions later
• Tell your provider about every symptom, even ones that seem minor or unrelated
• Keep a record of missed work, canceled plans, and help you needed at home
• Talk to a personal injury attorney if you were hurt, if fault is disputed, or if an insurance company is pressuring you to settle

You can schedule with us directly, with or without an attorney. We examine the spine, neck, shoulders, hips, and any area of seatbelt or airbag contact, screen for signs of concussion and nerve involvement, and document your injuries in detail from the first visit.

Your plan can bring chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, movement rehabilitation, and joint work together in one place, and we can coordinate with your attorney’s office when needed.