What to do at the scene, tonight, and over the next three days.
You were sitting still. Then you weren’t.
You were stopped at the light. Maybe checking the mirror, maybe thinking about dinner. Then the hit from behind.
Rear end collisions are some of the most common crashes on the road, and the person in front almost never sees it coming. That matters. When you don’t brace, your body takes the force differently. Your head snaps back and forward before your muscles have time to react.
Most people get out, check the bumper, and say “I’m fine.”
Maybe you are. But the next 72 hours will tell you a lot more than the first five minutes. Here’s how to use them.
One rule first. If you have a severe headache, confusion, numbness, new weakness, chest pain, or trouble breathing, stop reading and get emergency care. Those come first. Always.
At the scene: the first hour
Get safe. If the cars can move, pull out of traffic. Hazards on.
Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Even if it feels minor, a police report gives you an official record of what happened.
Trade information. Names, phone numbers, insurance, license plates. A photo of their license and insurance card is faster than writing it down.
Take pictures. Both cars, the damage, the street, the light, the weather. Wide shots and close ups. You can’t go back and take them later.
Skip “I’m fine.” Say “I’m not sure yet.” It’s the truth. Adrenaline is running the show right now, and it’s very good at hiding pain.
Tonight: the first 24 hours
Notice everything. Neck. Upper back. Low back. Headache. Jaw. Shoulders. Tingling in the arms or hands. Write it down, even if it’s small.
Move gently. Easy walks around the house. Slow, comfortable neck turns. No heavy lifting, no workouts, no “testing it” in the gym.
Rest like it matters. Sleep on your back or side with a pillow that keeps your neck level. Not too high, not too flat.
Tell your insurance company. Report the crash. Stick to facts about what happened. Don’t guess about injuries you haven’t had checked yet.
California note: if anyone was hurt, or the damage is over $1,000, California requires an SR 1 report to the DMV within 10 days. It’s separate from the police report. It’s easy to miss.
Day two and three: when it often shows up
This is the window people don’t expect.
The adrenaline wears off. The muscles that guarded your neck all night start to talk. Many people wake up on day two or three stiffer than they were at the scene. That’s a common pattern with whiplash, and it doesn’t mean something new happened. It means your body is finally reporting what it felt on day one.
Watch for:
- Neck pain or stiffness, especially turning to check your blind spot
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Pain between the shoulder blades
- Low back tightness
- Tingling, numbness, or heaviness in the arms or hands
- Trouble sleeping, poor focus, feeling foggy or off
Keep a simple log. Date, what hurts, how bad on a 0 to 10 scale, what made it worse. Two lines a day. That log helps your care and gives your records a clear timeline.
Get checked. This is the time to see a Chiropractor or your doctor, not three weeks from now. Read how long after a crash you should see a Chiropractor for the full reasoning. Short version: earlier is better for your body and for your records.
What not to do
Don’t wait it out for weeks. Pain that lingers and quietly changes how you move is worth a look. The longer you work around it, the more those habits stick.
Don’t push through workouts. Your gym will still be there in a week.
Don’t give a recorded statement before you know what’s injured. You can tell the other driver’s insurance you’ll follow up once you’ve been examined.
Don’t skip the paperwork. Photos, the police report number, your symptom log, receipts. Keep it all in one folder on your phone.
Your first visit at Built 2 Move
Here’s what happens when you come in after a crash.
You get in fast. Most new patients are seen the same week, often within a day or two.
A full workup. History, movement exam, and X-Rays. We want to know how the crash happened, where you feel it, and how you move now.
Everything documented. Clear notes at every visit, so your records match what you’re actually feeling.
Nothing up front. Car accident cases are treated on a lien, and we work directly with your attorney. If you don’t have one yet, that’s okay. Get checked first.
A plan with an end. A beginning, a middle, and an end. You’ll know what we’re working toward, and when you’re done, you’re done.
Not sure if what you’re feeling is worth a visit? Take The 60 Second Check.
Your move
The light turned green. Your recovery starts now.
Book your first visit or call (818) 330-9990. More on how we handle accident cases is on our car accident page.
This article is general education, not medical or legal advice. For questions about your claim, talk to an attorney. If you have sudden severe pain, numbness, new weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, get emergency care.