If you have any red-flag symptom after a car crash, such as a severe headache, confusion, numbness, chest or belly pain, or trouble breathing, go to the ER or call 911 first. If your injuries are minor and need same-day care, urgent care can help. If serious injuries are ruled out or you have no warning signs, and your main problems are neck pain, back pain, or stiffness, a chiropractor who focuses on crash injuries is often a good next step.
Most people do not know which door to walk through after a crash, especially when they are sore, shaken, and dealing with a damaged car. This guide walks through each option so you can make a calm choice, whether you were hit on Wadsworth, Bowles, or a side street in Ken Caryl.
When should I go to the ER after a car crash?
Go to the ER or call 911 when something could be life-threatening or cause lasting harm. MedlinePlus lists emergencies that include these signs that matter after a crash:
- A severe or sudden headache
- Confusion, passing out, or a head injury with either one
- Numbness or weakness, or a neck or back injury with loss of feeling or movement
- Chest pain or belly pain
- Trouble breathing
- A possible broken bone, a deep wound, or heavy bleeding
- Dizziness or weakness that does not go away
- Severe pain anywhere
If someone may have a neck or spine injury, do not move them. Mayo Clinic advises keeping the person still and calling 911, because a serious spinal injury is not always obvious right away.
When is urgent care a good choice?
Urgent care is a middle option. It works well for problems that need attention soon but are not life-threatening. MedlinePlus lists minor injuries like sprains, back pain, and minor cuts as good fits for urgent care.
After a crash, urgent care can make sense if you have a small cut that needs cleaning, a sore wrist from the steering wheel, or you just want a medical provider to look you over the same day. It is also handy on nights and weekends, when other offices are closed.
Urgent care is usually set up to treat the problem in front of it and send you on your way. It may not follow your recovery over the next few weeks. So if your neck is still sore after that visit, plan on a follow-up with someone who can track it.
When should I see a chiropractor after a car crash?
A chiropractor is not the place for an emergency. But once emergencies are ruled out, or if you never had any warning signs, a chiropractor can be a good place to start for:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Mid or low back pain
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Shoulder or upper back soreness
- Pain that showed up a day or two after the crash
Mayo Clinic notes that whiplash symptoms usually start within days of the injury. That means you can feel fine at the scene and leave the ER or urgent care with a clean bill of health, then wake up stiff two days later. Our post on why whiplash symptoms can show up days later explains this delay.
A good post-accident exam covers how the crash happened, how you move, your strength and reflexes, and whether you need an X-ray or MRI referral. If something points to a problem that needs a different kind of care, you should be sent to the right place.
Wondering whether you need imaging at all? Raise Chiropractic, our home clinic, explains how imaging decisions are made after a crash.
What if I went to the ER and they said I was fine?
That is good news, and it does not mean you are done. ER teams are there to find and treat emergencies. A normal scan rules out serious problems, but soft tissue injuries like whiplash often do not show up on a regular X-ray.
If pain shows up or sticks around after an ER visit, it is reasonable to get a follow-up exam. Follow any instructions you got at discharge, and bring your paperwork with you so your next provider can see what was already checked.
What if I am not sure where to go?
Use this simple order:
- Any red flag: ER or 911, no matter how small the crash was.
- Minor injury, need care today: urgent care.
- No red flags, but sore, stiff, or worried: book a post-accident exam within a few days.
- Still unsure: call your doctor’s office or your health plan’s nurse advice line, or call us and tell us what you are feeling.
When in doubt about something serious, choose the ER. It is always better to be checked and sent home than to wait on a problem that needed care.
Does where I go first matter for my claim?
Generally, what helps most is getting checked soon and keeping records. A dated exam notes your symptoms close to the crash. Long gaps between the crash and your first visit can give an insurer a reason to ask questions.
Who pays depends on your policy and the facts of the crash. In Colorado, insurers must offer at least $5,000 in MedPay, though it can be rejected in writing, so check your declarations page. Our guide on how MedPay works in Colorado auto claims covers the basics, and our documentation services keep your records organized. For coverage questions, ask your insurer or an attorney.
When to get checked
Get checked right away for any warning sign above. For everything else, try to be seen within a few days of the crash, even if you feel mostly okay. Also get checked if pain gets worse, spreads to your arms or legs, or keeps you from sleeping, working, or driving comfortably. Our first 72 hours guide has a simple plan for the days right after a crash.
How we help
Littleton Auto Accident Experts is the car crash injury program of Raise Chiropractic at 8204 S Kipling Pkwy in Littleton. We offer a free whiplash screening and same-week exams. Dr. Neal Surani, Dr. Aubree Petty, and Dr. Paige Rainford, PT, DPT work together under one roof, so whiplash care and rehab happen in one place.
We verify your coverage and bill your claim, and many patients pay little or nothing out of pocket depending on coverage. We see people from Littleton, Columbine, Dakota Ridge, Highlands Ranch, and nearby areas. Our resources page also lists who to call and what to do next.
The bottom line
Red flags mean the ER or 911, every time. Minor injuries that need same-day care fit urgent care. Neck pain, back pain, and stiffness without warning signs are a good reason to see a chiropractor who works with crash injuries. Book a free whiplash screening or call (720) 432-5140.
Questions
Should I go to the ER after a car crash if I feel fine?
If you have no warning signs, you may not need the ER. But if you hit your head, passed out, or have any red-flag symptom, go right away. If you feel fine, still watch for symptoms over the next few days, since whiplash can show up later.
Can I see a chiropractor first after a car crash?
Yes, if you have no warning signs and your main problems are neck pain, back pain, or stiffness. If an exam suggests something more serious, you should be referred for imaging or other care.
Is urgent care enough after a car accident?
It can be for minor injuries that need same-day care. If your pain lasts or new symptoms show up in the days after, plan a follow-up exam so someone can track your recovery.