What to do after a car accident in San Diego (a step-by-step guide)

Car-accident injuries are sneaky. Adrenaline masks pain in the moment, and injuries like whiplash often don’t show up until a day or two later. What you do in the first hours and days matters — for both your recovery and any insurance claim. Here’s a clear guide.

At the scene

• Make sure everyone is safe and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
• Get a police report. It’s valuable documentation later.
• Exchange information with the other driver — insurance, contact, plate.
• Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries.

In the first 72 hours

This is the window people most often get wrong. Even if you feel “mostly fine,” get evaluated. Soft-tissue injuries — whiplash, strains, joint irritation — frequently take a day or two to surface, and early care leads to better outcomes.

Watch for delayed symptoms

• Neck and back pain or stiffness
• Headaches
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
• Dizziness or trouble concentrating
• Reduced range of motion

What not to do

• Don’t tough it out. Pushing through pain rarely helps and often makes injuries worse and longer-lasting.
• Don’t assume “no car damage” means “no injury.” Low-speed collisions cause plenty of whiplash.
• Don’t sign away your rights or accept a quick settlement before you understand your injuries.

Keep good records

Save the accident report, photos, and every medical visit. Thorough documentation protects both your health and your personal-injury claim.

How we help after an accident

We provide prompt, thorough injury evaluations and restorative care — and we handle the paperwork your claim needs, coordinating with your attorney and insurer. In many cases there’s no out-of-pocket cost to you. (Dr. Spiegelman is a California Qualified Medical Examiner with deep experience in accident-injury care.)

A quick FAQ

Do I pay out of pocket after an accident? Often not — accident care is frequently covered through your claim. We’ll explain your options.

How soon should I come in? As soon as possible — ideally within a few days, even if you feel okay.

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If you’ve been in an accident, contact us or call (858) 565-8645 as soon as you can.