What Should You Do After a Car Accident? 7 Steps to Protect Your Health
A car accident can happen in seconds, but the effects can last for weeks or even months. Even when you feel relatively fine immediately after a collision, some injuries may not become noticeable until later.
Neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, muscle soreness, and reduced range of motion are common complaints after motor vehicle accidents. At Advanced Medical Center, we work with patients who have been injured in car accidents and help develop individualized care plans based on their symptoms and clinical needs.
If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, here are seven important steps to consider.
1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Immediately after an accident, focus on safety. If possible, move to a safe location and call 911 when emergency assistance is needed.
If you have significant pain, bleeding, weakness, numbness, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or another serious symptom, seek emergency medical attention.
Your immediate safety should always come first.
2. Document the Accident
When it is safe to do so, document as much information about the accident as possible.
Take photographs of:
- The vehicles involved
- Damage to your vehicle
- The accident scene
- Road conditions
- Visible injuries
Also collect the other driver’s insurance and contact information and obtain the police report information when applicable.
Good documentation can be helpful when communicating with healthcare providers and insurance companies.
3. Pay Attention to How You Feel
One of the most important things after a collision is paying attention to changes in your body.
Some people experience symptoms immediately, while others notice discomfort later. Common complaints following a collision can include:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Muscle soreness
- Reduced range of motion
- Joint discomfort
- Tingling or numbness
Don’t ignore new or worsening symptoms simply because you were able to walk away from the accident.
4. Get Evaluated by a Healthcare Professional
If you are experiencing symptoms after an accident, consider getting evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.
An evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether additional treatment or diagnostic testing is appropriate.
At Advanced Medical Center, our team provides chiropractic care and rehabilitation services for patients involved in motor vehicle accidents. Treatment is individualized because every collision and every patient is different. (Advanced Medical Center)
5. Follow Your Recommended Treatment Plan
If you are evaluated and a healthcare professional recommends treatment, following the plan consistently can be an important part of recovery.
Depending on your condition, care may involve chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, massage therapy, therapeutic exercises, or other appropriate services.
Advanced Medical Center’s car accident services may include chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, massage therapy, and MLS laser therapy depending on the patient’s needs. (Advanced Medical Center)
Your treatment should be based on your individual examination and clinical needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
6. Keep Track of Your Symptoms and Appointments
It can be helpful to keep a simple record of your symptoms and how they change over time.
Write down:
- Where you are experiencing pain
- When symptoms began
- Activities that make symptoms worse
- Changes in mobility
- Your appointments and treatments
- Any recommendations from your healthcare providers
This information can help you communicate more effectively with your healthcare team.
7. Don’t Try to “Push Through” Persistent Pain
Many people try to return to their normal activities immediately after an accident because they don’t want to miss work or disrupt their daily routine.
However, persistent or worsening symptoms deserve attention.
If your neck, back, shoulder, knee, or other areas continue to bother you after a collision, talk with a qualified healthcare professional about whether an evaluation is appropriate.
How Advanced Medical Center Can Help
At Advanced Medical Center in Chicago, we provide care for individuals dealing with injuries following motor vehicle accidents. Our team focuses on individualized treatment and rehabilitation designed around each patient’s condition and goals. (Advanced Medical Center)
We also provide care for work-related injuries, federal and postal workers, chiropractic conditions, and other musculoskeletal concerns. (Advanced Medical Center)
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and are experiencing pain or other symptoms, contact Advanced Medical Center to schedule an evaluation and discuss your options for care.
Call Advanced Medical Center today to schedule an appointment.