The short version
- Call the police if anyone is injured; the Texas Department of Insurance lists this as a key claim step.
- Whiplash symptoms often start hours later or the next day, so a normal feeling at the scene does not rule out injury.
- Severe neck pain, numbness, weakness, confusion or loss of consciousness need emergency care, not a clinic visit.
- Every Texas auto policy includes PIP unless you rejected it in writing, and it can help pay medical bills.
- Most neck sprains improve within 4 to 6 weeks, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
What should you do right after a car accident?
Safety comes first. Check yourself and others for injuries, move to a safe spot if you can, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Then gather the information your insurer will need.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) recommends these steps at the scene:
- Call the police if anyone was injured, or if the other driver leaves or will not share insurance details.
- Exchange information. Get the other driver's name, address, phone number, license plate number, insurance company and policy number. A photo of their insurance card saves time.
- Talk to witnesses. Write down names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash.
- Document the scene. Note the time, date, location, weather and road conditions, and take photos.
- Tell your insurer as soon as possible. Most companies have deadlines for filing claims.
When police investigate a crash with an injury or significant property damage, the officer files a report with the Texas Department of Transportation. You can buy a copy later through TxDOT's online crash report system.
When do you need the emergency room?
Some injuries cannot wait. Go to the ER or call 911 if you or anyone in the car has any of the warning signs below. If you suspect a spinal cord injury, MedlinePlus advises not moving the person unless they are in danger.
| Symptom | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness, confusion, severe or worsening headache, repeated vomiting | Emergency room now |
| Severe neck or back pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs | Emergency room now |
| Chest pain, trouble breathing, abdominal pain | Emergency room now |
| Loss of bladder or bowel control | Emergency room now |
| Neck stiffness, mild to moderate neck or back pain, headache at the base of the skull | Clinician visit within a few days |
| Feeling fine but in a significant crash | Consider a check-up within a few days |
Why can neck pain show up a day later?
Whiplash is a common name for a neck sprain or strain from the head whipping forward and back. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says you may not notice symptoms until hours after the injury, or even the next day, and pain often peaks about a day later.
Common symptoms include neck pain that worsens with movement, muscle spasm, headache at the back of the head, stiffness, fatigue, trouble sleeping or concentrating, and sometimes tingling in the arms. AAOS reports that most neck sprain symptoms go away in 4 to 6 weeks, though severe injuries can take longer. Our page on whiplash and auto injuries covers the condition in more depth, and headaches after a crash are covered there too.
Should you see a chiropractor after a car accident?
A chiropractor can be a reasonable choice once serious injuries have been ruled out. A careful exam checks motion, strength, reflexes and sensation, and looks for signs that need a physician or imaging first.
Care for a neck sprain usually aims to restore motion and reduce pain while you stay active. NCCIH reports that spinal manipulation or mobilization may reduce pain and improve function for chronic neck pain, though the evidence is low to moderate in quality. Results vary, and a good plan includes exercise you can do at home. Learn more about chiropractic adjustments and neck pain.
Why do X-rays sometimes matter after a crash?
Imaging guidelines treat trauma differently from everyday back pain. After a crash, X-rays can help rule out a fracture or instability before hands-on treatment, depending on how hard the impact was and what the exam shows. Our guide on why chiropractors take X-rays explains when imaging is and is not useful.
How do you handle insurance and medical bills?
Keep every medical record and bill, and send copies to your insurer. TDI notes that all Texas auto policies include personal injury protection (PIP) unless you rejected it in writing. PIP pays medical bills and some lost wages for you and your passengers, up to your policy limit.
If another driver caused the crash, their liability insurance may pay for your injuries. When their limits are too low, TDI says your own company may cover the difference through PIP, medical payments or uninsured motorist coverage. Our guide to insurance coverage for chiropractic explains more, and our clinic accepts insurance and files claims for you.
What else helps your recovery?
A few habits make a difference in the weeks after a crash in Dallas traffic or anywhere else:
- Stay gently active rather than resting in bed for days.
- Keep a simple symptom diary with dates, pain levels and missed activities.
- Follow up if symptoms are not improving or are spreading.
- Keep copies of your claim number, police report and medical records in one place.
Frequently asked questions
It is a good idea. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that neck sprain symptoms may not start until hours after the injury or even the next day, and pain often peaks about a day later. An exam within a few days records your condition, catches problems early and creates a record your insurer may ask for. Go to an emergency room right away for any serious symptoms.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for loss of consciousness, confusion, a severe headache, severe neck pain, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, trouble walking, chest or abdominal pain, or loss of bladder or bowel control. These can signal a fracture, head injury, spinal cord injury or internal injury. If you think someone has a spinal injury, do not move them unless they are in danger.
Neck pain from a sprain or strain, often called whiplash, may begin hours after the crash or the next day. Stiffness, headache at the base of the skull, shoulder pain and trouble concentrating are common. Symptoms that appear days or weeks later, or that keep getting worse, should still be checked, since they can come from injuries that were not obvious at first.
It depends on your coverage and who caused the crash. Your own personal injury protection pays medical bills and some lost wages up to your policy limit, unless you rejected PIP in writing. If another driver was at fault, their liability insurance may pay for your injuries. Health insurance can also apply. The Texas Department of Insurance explains these options in its auto insurance guide.
When police investigate a crash, the officer files a report with the Texas Department of Transportation. You can buy a copy online through TxDOT's Crash Report Online Purchase System, and it is delivered by email. If police did not come to the scene, keep your own written notes, photos and the other driver's information for your insurance claim.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance: Auto insurance guide (opens in a new tab)
- Texas Department of Transportation: Crash reports and records (opens in a new tab)
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Neck sprain (opens in a new tab)
- MedlinePlus: Spinal injury (opens in a new tab)
- NCCIH: Spinal manipulation: what you need to know (opens in a new tab)
This page is general education, not medical advice. It cannot replace an exam. Results from any treatment vary from person to person.
