What To Do After a Car Accident
A step-by-step guide to protect your health, your legal rights, and your insurance claim after a car accident in St. Louis.
Immediate Steps After a Car Accident
Check for Safety
Move your vehicle to safety if possible. Check yourself and all passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt or the vehicles are blocking traffic, call 911 immediately. Turn on your hazard lights and set up flares or warning triangles if you have them. Your safety and the safety of everyone involved is the first priority.
Call the Police
Always call the police and file an official police report, even for minor accidents. A police report creates an official record of the incident, documents the other driver’s information, and provides critical evidence for your insurance claim. Get the report number before the officer leaves the scene – you will need it later.
Document Everything
Take photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles, any visible injuries, license plates, road conditions, traffic signs, and the overall scene. Get contact information from any witnesses. Write down the time, date, weather conditions, and exactly what happened while the details are fresh in your mind.
Exchange Information
Get the other driver’s full name, phone number, insurance company and policy number, driver’s license number, and license plate number. If there are multiple vehicles involved, collect information from every driver. Be polite but factual – do not discuss who caused the accident or speculate about what happened.
Do Not Admit Fault
Be very careful about what you say at the scene. Do not apologize, do not say “it was my fault,” and do not speculate about what happened. Even well-intentioned statements like “I’m sorry” can be used against you later. Let the police and insurance companies determine liability based on evidence and witness statements.
Contact Your Insurance
Report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible. Provide the facts of what happened, the police report number, and the other driver’s information. However, do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first consulting an attorney, especially if there are injuries involved.
Critical Steps in the First 72 Hours
The first 72 hours after a car accident are the most critical window for your health, your insurance claim, and your legal rights. Many car accident injuries – including whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue damage – do not produce symptoms immediately. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain for hours or even days after the collision.
Seeking medical attention within this window serves three vital purposes: it catches hidden injuries before they worsen, it creates a documented medical record linking your injuries to the accident, and it demonstrates to insurance companies that you took your injuries seriously from the start.
Insurance adjusters routinely look for gaps between the accident date and the first medical visit. A delay of even a few days can be used to argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or are not as serious as claimed. Protect yourself by seeing a doctor as soon as possible.
Symptoms That May Appear Days Later
Neck Pain & Stiffness
Neck pain after a car accident often does not appear until 24–72 hours later. This is commonly associated with whiplash, where the rapid back-and-forth motion of the head strains muscles, ligaments, and vertebrae in the cervical spine. Without treatment, whiplash can become a chronic condition.
Headaches
Post-accident headaches can signal several underlying issues, from muscle tension in the neck and shoulders to more serious conditions like concussion or traumatic brain injury. Headaches that appear days after an accident should always be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out dangerous conditions.
Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common delayed symptoms after a car accident. Herniated discs, spinal misalignments, and soft tissue injuries may not produce noticeable pain for days. Left untreated, these injuries can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and nerve damage that becomes increasingly difficult to resolve.
Numbness & Tingling
Numbness, tingling, or a “pins and needles” sensation in the arms, hands, legs, or feet can indicate nerve compression or damage. This often results from herniated discs or spinal misalignment caused by the force of impact. These symptoms require prompt evaluation to prevent permanent nerve damage.
Dizziness
Dizziness and balance problems after an accident can indicate a concussion, inner ear injury, or cervical spine damage. These symptoms may come and go, making them easy to dismiss, but they should be evaluated immediately. Persistent dizziness can significantly impact your daily life and may indicate a serious underlying injury.
Fatigue
Extreme fatigue and exhaustion after a car accident are your body’s response to healing from trauma. However, persistent fatigue can also be a symptom of concussion, internal injuries, depression, or PTSD. If you are experiencing unusual tiredness weeks after your accident, it is important to be evaluated for underlying causes.
Why You Must See a Doctor — Even If You Feel Fine
After a car accident, your body floods with adrenaline that can mask pain and injuries for hours or even days. Here is why early medical evaluation is not optional – it is essential.
Health Protection
Hidden injuries like concussions, herniated discs, and internal bleeding can worsen rapidly without treatment. What feels like minor soreness today could become a debilitating chronic condition if left undiagnosed. Early detection gives you the best chance of a full recovery and prevents minor injuries from becoming major medical problems.
Insurance Protection
Insurance companies look for any reason to reduce or deny your claim. A gap between the accident and your first medical visit is one of the most common reasons claims are undervalued. Seeking treatment within 72 hours creates a clear, documented timeline that links your injuries directly to the accident and makes it much harder for adjusters to argue otherwise.
Legal Protection
If you need to file a personal injury claim, your medical records are the foundation of your case. Documentation from your first visit establishes the nature and severity of your injuries, creates a baseline for measuring your recovery, and provides the evidence your attorney needs to build a strong case for fair compensation.
How Citrin Chiropractic Center Can Help
If you have been in a car accident in St. Louis, our doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating accident-related injuries. With over 35 years of experience, we understand the unique challenges that accident patients face – from hidden injuries and delayed symptoms to insurance complications and legal documentation needs.
We provide same-day appointments for accident patients, comprehensive evaluations including digital X-rays, and personalized treatment plans designed to get you back to full health. We also handle all insurance verification and billing, coordinate with your attorney if you have one, and provide the thorough medical documentation that protects both your health and your legal rights.
You pay nothing out of pocket. We bill your auto insurance (MedPay/PIP) directly, accept medical liens for personal injury cases, and work with your health insurance as needed. Our goal is to remove every barrier between you and the care you need.
Schedule Your EvaluationSame-Day Evaluation
We prioritize accident patients and can typically see you the same day you call. Early evaluation is critical for identifying hidden injuries and establishing your medical record.
Digital X-Rays On-Site
No need for separate imaging appointments. We have digital X-ray technology in our office for immediate evaluation of bone and joint injuries during your first visit.
Insurance Verification
We verify your auto insurance coverage before your visit and bill MedPay or PIP directly. You pay nothing upfront, and we handle all the insurance paperwork for you.
Attorney Coordination
Working with a personal injury attorney? We coordinate directly with your legal team, provide detailed medical records, and support your case with thorough documentation.
Your Post-Accident Checklist
- Check for safety and call 911 if anyone is injured
- Call the police and file an official report
- Take photos of all vehicles, damage, injuries, and the scene
- Exchange insurance and contact information with all drivers
- Get names and phone numbers from witnesses
- Do not admit fault or apologize at the scene
- Report the accident to your insurance company
- See a doctor within 72 hours – even if you feel fine
- Keep all medical receipts, records, and prescriptions
- Do not sign anything from the other driver’s insurance
- Consider consulting a personal injury attorney
- Call Citrin Chiropractic Center at (314) 890-2400 for a same-day evaluation
Save this page or print it to keep in your glove box. Being prepared can make a difficult situation easier to manage.
After an Accident FAQs
Here are answers to the most common questions we hear from patients who have been in car accidents in the St. Louis area.
Get Free ConsultationHow soon should I see a doctor after a car accident?
You should see a doctor within 72 hours of a car accident, and ideally the same day. Even if you feel fine immediately after the collision, many injuries – including whiplash, concussions, and herniated discs – have delayed symptoms that may not appear for 24 to 72 hours. Early evaluation catches these injuries before they worsen and creates the medical documentation you need for your insurance claim.
What if I feel fine after the accident?
Feeling fine after a car accident is extremely common, but it does not mean you are uninjured. Adrenaline and the body’s natural stress response can mask pain and symptoms for hours or even days. Soft tissue injuries, spinal misalignments, and mild concussions frequently have delayed onset. We strongly recommend getting evaluated as a precaution – early detection makes a significant difference in recovery outcomes.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
Be very cautious when speaking with the other driver’s insurance company. You are not obligated to give them a recorded statement, and anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. We recommend consulting with a personal injury attorney before providing any statements. You should report the accident to your own insurance company, but limit what you share with the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?
While not every accident requires an attorney, we recommend consulting one if you were injured, if the other driver was at fault, or if your medical bills exceed your MedPay coverage. A personal injury attorney can protect your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you receive fair compensation. We work with several trusted PI attorneys in the St. Louis area and can provide referrals.
Will my insurance cover chiropractic treatment after an accident?
Yes. Most Missouri auto insurance policies include MedPay (Medical Payments) coverage that covers chiropractic treatment after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. MedPay typically ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. We verify your coverage before your first visit and bill your insurance directly, so you pay nothing out of pocket.
Were You in a Car Accident?
Do not wait to get evaluated. The sooner you see a doctor, the better your chances of a full recovery – and the stronger your insurance claim. Fill out the form or call us for a same-day appointment.
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