After a Car Accident: What to Do in the First 72 Hours

Hour 1–24: Get evaluated even if you feel fine

Adrenaline masks whiplash and soft-tissue injury for up to a day. A baseline evaluation creates the medical record insurers will later ask for.

Day 2: Document everything

Photos of the car, the bruising, the dashboard — and a written timeline of symptoms. Memory fades faster than most people expect.

Day 3: Start gentle motion

Complete rest after whiplash actually slows healing. Guided, gentle range-of-motion work under a chiropractor or qualified provider is what the research supports.

When to call us

If headaches, neck stiffness, or radiating pain haven't started improving by 72 hours, schedule an evaluation. Soft-tissue injuries that go untreated in the first week are the ones that tend to linger for months — or show up in an MRI a year later as something worse.

If your accident happened in the Ormond Beach area, request an evaluation or call (386) 800-3100. We'll get you in quickly, document what the insurers will ask for, and get you started on the right recovery plan.