Yes—if you have serious pain, hit your head, lost consciousness, are confused or dizzy, have chest or abdominal pain, trouble breathing, weakness or numbness, uncontrolled bleeding, repeated vomiting, or any other potentially serious symptoms after a California car accident, you should go to the emergency room or call 911. Even if you do not need emergency care, you should consider getting medically evaluated promptly if you have pain or new symptoms. Some accident injuries are not immediately obvious, and delaying treatment can put both your health and a potential personal injury claim at risk.

If you were injured in a California car accident and do not know what to do next, call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 for a free consultation.

You are hurt.

You may be scared.

And right now you may be asking yourself:

“Am I hurt badly enough to go to the hospital?”

Your health comes first.

When in doubt about potentially serious symptoms, seek medical care.

7 Signs You Should Go to the ER After a Car Accident

1. You Hit Your Head or Lost Consciousness

Head injuries can be serious even when there is no visible wound.

The CDC advises emergency evaluation for concussion danger signs including:

• A worsening headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Increasing confusion
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness
• Seizures
• Extreme drowsiness or inability to wake up
• Loss of consciousness

These symptoms can indicate a potentially dangerous brain injury.

Do not try to “tough it out” if something feels seriously wrong after hitting your head.

2. You Have Chest Pain or Trouble Breathing

Chest pain after a crash could come from the seat belt, airbag or impact with the steering wheel.

But it can also signal something more serious.

Mayo Clinic recommends emergency medical help for sudden or severe chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting and other serious symptoms.

Call 911 if you are having significant difficulty breathing or unexplained severe chest pain.

3. You Have Severe Neck or Back Pain

Car crashes can cause injuries involving the neck, back, spinal discs, nerves and spinal cord.

Get prompt medical attention if you develop:

• Severe neck pain
• Severe back pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Difficulty walking
• Loss of coordination

Do not assume severe pain will simply disappear overnight.

4. You Have Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain after a crash should not automatically be dismissed as soreness from a seat belt.

Internal injuries may not always be obvious from the outside.

Severe or worsening abdominal pain after significant trauma warrants urgent medical attention.

5. You Are Dizzy, Confused or Disoriented

Feeling “off” after an accident matters.

Confusion, memory problems, dizziness, difficulty concentrating or unusual behavior can occur with a concussion or other injury.

If symptoms are significant or worsening, seek emergency care.

6. You Have Heavy or Uncontrolled Bleeding

Serious bleeding requires immediate medical care.

Call 911 when bleeding is severe, cannot be controlled, or accompanies other signs of a serious injury.

7. Your Symptoms Are Getting Worse

Maybe you walked away from the crash thinking you were fine.

Hours later, things change.

Your head starts hurting.

Your neck stiffens.

Your back begins spasming.

You become dizzy or nauseated.

Do not ignore worsening symptoms simply because you felt okay immediately after the collision.

What If I Don’t Think I Need the Emergency Room?

Not every California car accident requires an ER visit.

But that does not mean you should ignore pain or other symptoms.

Depending on the circumstances and severity, you may be able to seek care from:

• Your primary-care doctor
• An urgent-care clinic
• An orthopedic specialist
• Another appropriate healthcare provider

The important point is simple:

Do not let an insurance adjuster decide whether you are injured. Let a qualified medical professional evaluate you.

Why Medical Treatment Matters to Your California Car Accident Claim

Seeking appropriate medical care is first and foremost about protecting your health.

It can also create important documentation of your injuries.

Medical records may show:

• When symptoms began
• What injuries were diagnosed
• What tests were performed
• What treatment was recommended
• Whether you were taken out of work
• Whether you need future treatment
• Whether your injuries are improving or worsening

Insurance companies may question claims when someone reports serious injuries but waits a substantial amount of time before seeking treatment.

That does not automatically destroy a case.

But unexplained gaps can create another issue for the insurance company to challenge.

What Should I Do After Leaving the Hospital?

After receiving necessary medical treatment:

1. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
2. Attend follow-up appointments.
3. Keep copies of medical records and bills.
4. Save photographs and accident evidence.
5. Keep insurance letters and emails.
6. Avoid discussing your injuries on social media.
7. Speak with a California personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement.

The California Courts also advises injury claimants to preserve evidence related to their injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go to the ER even if I feel okay after a car accident?

You do not necessarily need an emergency room after every minor collision if you have no emergency symptoms. However, seek prompt medical evaluation if you develop pain, dizziness, headaches, numbness, confusion or other symptoms. If symptoms are severe or potentially life-threatening, call 911.

What if my pain started the day after the accident?

Get evaluated.

Some symptoms may become more noticeable after the immediate stress of a collision has passed. Tell the medical provider when the accident happened and when your symptoms began.

Will going to the emergency room help my car accident case?

You should never go to the ER solely to increase the value of a legal claim. Go because your symptoms warrant emergency medical care.

When medically appropriate, however, hospital records can provide important documentation connecting your injuries and treatment to the accident.

What if I didn’t go to the hospital immediately?

You may still have a personal injury claim.

Do not assume your case is over because you delayed seeking care. Get appropriate medical attention and speak with an attorney about your specific circumstances.

How long do I have to file a car accident injury lawsuit in California?

California Courts states that the general statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the injury, although important exceptions and shorter deadlines can apply, especially in cases involving government entities.

Hurt in a California Car Accident? Get Help Now

After an accident, you may be dealing with pain, medical bills, missed work and an insurance company asking questions before you even understand how badly you are hurt.

You don’t have to handle this alone.

The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus has fought for injured Californians since 1987, recovered more than $2 billion for clients, and earned thousands of 5-star reviews.

If you were injured in a car accident in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, find out what your next step should be.

Call 818-784-8544 Now

Free Consultation

Your health comes first.

Then let us help protect your rights.

The sooner you call, the sooner we can investigate what happened, preserve evidence and begin dealing with the insurance company for you.

The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus — You Heal. We Fight.