Contact Dr. Jeff
Contact Dr. Jeff
Menu☰
Home › Personal Injury Education › Accident & Injury Basics
Personal Injury Education · Guide
The symptoms to watch for, when to see a doctor and the early mistakes that cause problems later.
Most people have never been taught what to do after a car accident until they’re standing on the side of the road. This page covers the basics I explain most often to injured patients in Arizona: the symptoms to watch for, when to see a doctor and the early mistakes that cause problems later.
Just had an accident? Start with the 72-Hour Accident Checklist.
Get the checklist →Even a low-speed crash can put real force on your neck, back and head. Some symptoms show up right away. Others take hours or days, especially once adrenaline wears off.
— Neck pain or stiffness: often linked to whiplash, which can appear a day or more after the crash.
— Back pain: upper, middle or lower back pain, sometimes with muscle spasms.
— Headaches: can signal whiplash or, in some cases, a concussion.
— Dizziness, confusion or trouble concentrating: possible signs of a head injury that should be evaluated promptly.
— Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs or feet: can point to nerve involvement.
— Shoulder, knee or hip pain: from bracing against the steering wheel, dashboard or door.
— Trouble sleeping, anxiety or irritability: the physical and emotional stress of an accident is real.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have severe pain, trouble breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness, weakness on one side of the body, severe headache or vomiting.
My general advice: get evaluated soon after any accident where your body took a hit, even if you feel okay. A timely evaluation helps catch injuries early, and it creates a clear record of when symptoms started.
Situation
Where to start
Emergency symptoms listed above
911 or emergency room
Pain, stiffness or headaches that aren’t an emergency
Urgent care, primary care, or a provider experienced with accident injuries
Symptoms that appear days later
Get evaluated as soon as you notice them
Symptoms that don’t improve with care
Ask about re-evaluation, imaging or a specialist referral
After 26 years, I see the same handful of mistakes over and over. They’re rarely about bad intentions. People just don’t know.
01
Waiting to see if the pain goes away. A long delay makes it harder to connect symptoms to the accident.
02
Downplaying symptoms at the first visit. If it’s not in the record, it can look like it never happened.
03
Skipping follow-up appointments. Gaps in care can interrupt recovery and weaken your records.
04
Giving a recorded statement too quickly. It’s reasonable to ask for time or speak with an attorney first.
05
Posting about the accident online. Photos and comments can be taken out of context.
06
Not keeping receipts and notes. Small costs and daily limitations add up and are easy to forget.
Arizona driving comes with its own risks: high-speed freeway traffic on I-10, I-17 and the Loop 101 and 202, long rural stretches where help can be far away, summer heat and monsoon dust storms. Rural drivers may also be a long drive from specialists, so it helps to plan care early. Arizona is an at-fault state, and there are time limits on injury claims. For legal questions, talk with a licensed Arizona attorney.
What Happens in the First 72 Hours After a Car Accident?
Coming soon
Common Mistakes People Make After a Car Accident
Coming soon
Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident: What to Watch For
Coming soon
What to Do After a Car Accident in a Monsoon Dust Storm
Coming soon
Can you be injured in a low-speed car accident?
Yes. Low-speed crashes can still cause neck and back injuries, including whiplash. Vehicle damage doesn’t always match the injury.
How soon should I see a doctor after a car accident?
As soon as practical, ideally within the first day or two, and right away for emergency symptoms.
What if my symptoms show up a week later?
Get evaluated when you notice them and tell the provider about the accident. Delayed symptoms are common.
Free download
A printable, hour-by-hour guide to the first three days after a crash, with Arizona-specific tips.
Written by Dr. Jeff Raiffie, founder of AZ Injury Doctors, with about 26 years of experience in personal injury healthcare.
The information on this site is for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice or medical advice, and it doesn’t create a doctor-patient or attorney-client relationship. Every injury and every case is different. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. For legal questions, talk with a licensed attorney in your state.