What to do after
a car accident
Step-by-step guide for the first 72 hours -- from the scene to your first chiropractic evaluation. Whether your accident happened on Highway 101, Lakeville Highway, or downtown Petaluma, here is what to do next.
The First 72 Hours
A step-by-step guide
The decisions you make in the first few days after a car accident affect both your health and your ability to get compensated. Here is the timeline that matters.
Scene
At the scene of the accident
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt or the vehicles are blocking traffic, call 911 immediately. Even if the accident seems minor, always request a police report -- it creates an official record of what happened.
Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. Use your phone to photograph everything: vehicle damage from multiple angles, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries. These photos become evidence later.
Do not tell anyone "I'm fine." Adrenaline masks pain after a collision. You may feel okay at the scene and develop significant symptoms hours or days later. Saying you are fine gets documented and can be used against your claim.
24 Hrs
Within 24 hours
Report the accident to your own insurance company. You are required to report it promptly, and delayed reporting can complicate your claim. Stick to the facts -- do not speculate about fault or downplay your symptoms.
Start paying attention to your body. Note any symptoms, even if they seem minor: headaches, neck stiffness, back soreness, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, jaw tightness, or trouble sleeping. Write them down with the time they started. This symptom journal becomes part of your medical record when you see a provider.
Hours
Within 48 to 72 hours
Schedule a chiropractic evaluation -- even if you feel okay. Many car accident injuries, especially whiplash and soft tissue damage, have a delayed onset. Inflammation builds over 48 to 72 hours, and symptoms that were not present at the scene can become significant by the end of the week.
An early evaluation does two critical things. First, it identifies injuries before they become chronic problems. Second, it creates a medical record that connects your symptoms to the accident. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment. If you wait weeks to see a provider, the other side will argue your injuries are not related to the crash.
Our Petaluma office sees car accident patients on a same-week basis, and you do not need a referral to get started.
Week
The first week
Follow your treatment plan and keep all scheduled appointments. Missed visits create gaps in your medical record that insurance adjusters will use to minimize your claim.
Keep every piece of documentation: the police report, your insurance claim number, photos from the scene, medical receipts, and your symptom journal. If you miss work, document those days as well.
Do not sign anything from the other driver's insurance company without consulting a personal injury attorney. Early settlement offers are almost always too low, and recorded statements can be used against you. If you need an attorney referral, we work with experienced personal injury attorneys throughout Sonoma County.
Why Waiting Is Risky
Why injuries don't always hurt right away
Your body's response to a car accident involves a massive release of adrenaline and endorphins -- your natural pain blockers. This fight-or-flight response evolved to help you survive dangerous situations, but it also masks the pain signals from real injuries. You can walk away from a collision feeling almost normal and wake up the next morning barely able to turn your head.
Inflammation follows a predictable cycle. Damaged soft tissues -- muscles, ligaments, tendons, and discs -- swell gradually over 48 to 72 hours. As inflammation peaks, symptoms emerge: stiffness, aching, sharp pain with movement, headaches, and radiating pain into the arms or legs.
This delayed onset is not unusual. It is the normal biological response to trauma. But it creates a dangerous gap. Patients who wait to seek treatment because they feel fine end up with injuries that are harder to treat and harder to prove were caused by the accident.
The longer you wait, the more you risk both your health and your legal claim. Insurance companies routinely argue that gaps between the accident date and the first medical visit mean the injuries were not serious -- or were caused by something else entirely.
Neck Stiffness & Whiplash
Pain, limited range of motion, and muscle guarding from cervical ligament sprain
Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches from upper cervical joint restriction after whiplash trauma
Back Pain
Lumbar disc compression and sacroiliac dysfunction from collision forces
Shoulder Pain
Rotator cuff strain and impingement from seatbelt loading and bracing impact
Dizziness & Concussion
Post-concussive symptoms including brain fog, visual disturbance, and balance problems
Jaw Pain (TMJ)
Temporomandibular dysfunction from impact forces transmitted through the cervical spine
Paying for Treatment
Understanding your insurance options
You do not have to pay out of pocket to get treatment after a car accident. Here are the most common ways patients cover their care.
MedPay Coverage
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) is part of your own car insurance policy. It pays for medical treatment after an accident regardless of who was at fault. Most California policies include $5,000 to $10,000 in MedPay benefits. You can use it immediately -- no waiting for the other driver's insurance to accept liability.
MedPay is often the fastest way to start treatment.
Learn about MedPay →Lien-Based Care
With lien-based care, you receive treatment now and the cost is paid from your settlement later. There is no upfront cost to you. This is the most common arrangement for personal injury chiropractic in Sonoma County, and it means you can start treatment immediately without worrying about payment.
adjust.clinic is a 100% lien-based practice.
How lien-based care works →Third-Party Claims
A third-party claim is filed against the at-fault driver's insurance. This typically takes longer to resolve -- months or even longer if liability is disputed. While it can eventually cover your medical expenses, it should not be your only option. Starting treatment through MedPay or lien-based care ensures you are recovering while the liability process plays out.
Your attorney will handle the third-party claim.
The key takeaway: you do not need to wait for insurance approval or pay out of pocket to start treatment. There are options available to get you into care this week.
Patient Payment Options →Finding the Right Provider
Choosing the right chiropractor after an accident
Not all chiropractors handle personal injury cases, and choosing the wrong provider can weaken both your recovery and your legal claim. Car accident injuries require a specific approach: detailed documentation, understanding of insurance and legal processes, and treatment protocols designed for trauma recovery rather than general wellness.
Here is what to look for when choosing a chiropractor after a car accident in Petaluma or anywhere in Sonoma County:
- ✓ QME certification Qualified Medical Evaluator status means the doctor has passed a state examination in disability evaluation and impairment rating
- ✓ Experience with personal injury documentation -- not just treatment notes, but medical-legal reports that hold up in negotiation and litigation
- ✓ Lien-based care Start treatment without waiting for insurance approval or paying out of pocket
- ✓ Established attorney relationships A provider who understands what attorneys need and communicates effectively with legal teams
- ✓ Evidence-based treatment protocols -- objective measurements, functional testing, and treatment plans tied to tissue healing timelines rather than arbitrary visit counts
Don't wait -- early treatment makes a difference
The sooner you get evaluated, the sooner you start recovering -- and the stronger your case becomes. Same-week appointments available. No upfront cost.
3100 Lakeville Hwy, Ste D, Petaluma, CA 94954