What Should I Do After a Car Accident to Check for Injuries?

Car accidents happen when we least expect them, and even minor collisions can leave you shaken and unsure of what to do next. The adrenaline rush that follows a crash can mask pain and injuries, making it hard to tell if you’re actually hurt. That’s why knowing what steps to take immediately after a car accident is so important—not just for legal reasons, but for your health.

At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, we’ve seen firsthand how hidden injuries can surface days after an accident. Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries often don’t show immediate symptoms, yet they can cause significant pain and complications if left untreated. Taking the right steps after an accident helps ensure that any injuries are caught early and treated properly, so you can focus on recovery without worry. 

Check Yourself and Passengers for Immediate Injuries

The moments after a car accident can be chaotic, but your first priority should always be safety. Before worrying about the damage to your vehicle, take a deep breath and assess yourself for any obvious injuries. Do you feel sharp pain, dizziness, or numbness? Are you bleeding?

If you’re able, do Car accident injury check on any passengers in your vehicle. Ask them if they’re hurt, even if they say they feel fine. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately for emergency medical help.

Even if no one appears seriously hurt, remember that not all injuries are visible. Soft tissue injuries, internal bleeding, and head trauma can go unnoticed in the moment but become problematic later. That’s why seeking medical evaluation as soon as possible is crucial.

Move to a Safe Location and Call for Help

Once you’ve assessed for immediate injuries, move to a safe location if possible. If your car is drivable, pull over to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic and reducing the risk of another accident. Turn on your hazard lights to signal to other drivers that there’s been an accident.

Call 911 to report the accident. Even if the crash seems minor, having an official accident report can be helpful for both insurance and medical purposes. Let the dispatcher know if anyone is injured, even if the injuries seem minor. They can send both police and medical personnel if needed.

While waiting for help to arrive, avoid making sudden movements or strenuous activities. If you’re injured, unnecessary movement can make it worse. Stay calm, take deep breaths, and wait for professional assistance.

Document the Accident Scene

If you’re physically able, documenting the accident scene can be helpful for insurance claims and medical treatment. Use your phone to take photos of the vehicles involved, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area. Capture details like skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs.

Exchange information with other drivers, including names, contact information, and insurance details. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as well. This information can be valuable later when filing insurance claims or seeking medical reimbursement.

Your documentation can also help healthcare providers better understand the potential injuries you might have sustained, such as the direction of impact or the speed at which the accident occurred.

Look for Common Car Accident Injuries

Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, it’s essential to watch for common car accident injuries that may not show symptoms right away. Some of the most frequent injuries include:

• Whiplash: Neck pain, stiffness, and headaches caused by the sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck during a collision.
• Concussions: Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion that can occur when the brain is jolted inside the skull.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries that may cause swelling, bruising, and pain.
• Back Injuries: Lower back pain, muscle strain, or spinal injuries from the impact of the crash.
• Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs that may not be immediately visible but can cause serious complications.

If you notice any of these symptoms in the hours or days following an accident, seek medical attention promptly.

Seek Medical Attention, Even if You Feel Fine

One of the biggest mistakes people make after a car accident is assuming they’re okay because they don’t feel immediate pain. In reality, many injuries can take hours or even days to show symptoms. Delaying medical care can not only worsen your condition but also make it harder to link your injuries to the accident for insurance purposes.

At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, we recommend seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident. Our healthcare providers are experienced in evaluating and treating motor vehicle accident injuries, from minor bruises to more serious conditions like whiplash and concussions. Getting checked out right away ensures that any hidden injuries are detected early and treated before they become more severe.

Know the Signs That You Need Urgent Care

Some injuries after a car accident require immediate medical attention. Knowing when to seek urgent care can make all the difference in your recovery. Signs that you need urgent care include:

• Severe or worsening pain in the neck, back, or head
• Persistent headaches, dizziness, or nausea
• Difficulty moving or limited range of motion
• Unexplained swelling, bruising, or bleeding
• Numbness or tingling in the limbs

If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t wait to see if they improve on their own. Visit an urgent care center for a thorough evaluation and treatment plan.

Why Urgent Care is Ideal for Post-Accident Evaluations

After a car accident, you might wonder whether you need to visit the emergency room, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor, or head to urgent care. While life-threatening injuries require emergency care, urgent care centers are ideal for non-emergency injuries that still need prompt attention.

Urgent care offers:

• Convenience: No appointment necessary—just walk in and get the care you need.
• Shorter Wait Times: Compared to emergency rooms, urgent care centers typically have much shorter wait times.
• Comprehensive Evaluations: From physical exams to imaging and lab tests, urgent care provides thorough post-accident assessments.
• Affordable Care: Urgent care visits are often more affordable than ER visits, especially for non-life-threatening injuries.

At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, we provide comprehensive motor vehicle accident care in South Tampa and beyond, ensuring you get the evaluation and treatment you need without the hassle of long waits or high costs.

How to Monitor Your Health After a Car Accident

Even after receiving initial medical care, it’s important to monitor your health in the days and weeks following a car accident. Injuries can evolve over time, and new symptoms may appear as your body responds to the trauma.

Tips for monitoring your health include:

• Keep a Symptom Journal: Write down any pain, stiffness, headaches, or other symptoms you experience, including when they started and how severe they are.
• Follow Up with Your Healthcare Provider: Schedule follow-up appointments as recommended to ensure your recovery is on track.
• Rest and Recover: Give your body the time it needs to heal. Avoid strenuous activities, get plenty of rest, and follow your doctor’s instructions for care.
• Seek Help for Persistent Symptoms: If symptoms persist or worsen, don’t hesitate to return to urgent care for further evaluation.

Motor Vehicle Accident Evaluations in South Tampa

If you’ve been in a car accident and need a motor vehicle accident evaluation in South Tampa, visit our South Tampa Urgent Care center at 3301 West Gandy Boulevard, Tampa, FL. We’re conveniently located near popular businesses like Westshore Marina District, Publix Super Market at Gandy Shopping Center, and Chick-fil-A, making it easy to find us when you need prompt medical attention. At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, we provide expert care for car accident injuries, from thorough evaluations to personalized treatment plans. Our team is here to ensure you get the care you need quickly and efficiently.

Comprehensive Accident Care Across the Greater Tampa Area

With 20 convenient locations across the Greater Tampa Area, we make it easy to access quality healthcare when you need it most. Our On My Way System allows you to fill out forms electronically before your visit for an expedited check-in process. We’re open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so you never have to wait long for the care you need. For reliable motor vehicle accident care in South Tampa, trust TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track to help you recover safely and quickly.