Hurt in a car or truck crash?
Leave your name and phone. We call back today, in English or Spanish. The consultation is free and confidential.
Free consultation · English y Español · No fees or costs unless we win
Why it is worth going now
Feeling sore, stiff or foggy a few days after a crash is common. Swelling builds, adrenaline wears off, and injuries that seemed small start to limit what you can do. A doctor can check for serious problems, such as a concussion or a spine injury, and give you a treatment plan. Your health comes first, whatever happens with the claim.
If your symptoms are severe or getting worse, go to an emergency room. That includes a bad headache, vomiting, confusion, numbness, weakness, or chest or abdominal pain. For milder pain, urgent care or your regular doctor may be enough. Read how long injuries can take to appear to understand the timing.
What to tell the doctor
Tell the provider you were in a car crash, the date, and how it happened, for example that you were rear-ended at a light. Describe every symptom, even ones that seem minor, and when each one started. If you had earlier injuries in the same area, say so, and explain how the crash changed things. Honest, complete records are the strongest support for a claim.
Ask for copies of your visit summary and any imaging results. Follow the treatment plan, including physical therapy or follow-up visits. If you cannot make an appointment, reschedule it instead of skipping it. Gaps in care give insurers room to argue that you recovered or that something else caused the problem. See whiplash claims for a common example.
Free accident case review
Tell us what happened. We will tell you plainly whether there is a case and what to do next. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
How a delay affects your claim
Insurers pay attention to the days between the crash and your first visit. A short delay with a clear explanation is common and can be documented. A long delay with no medical records invites the argument that the injury came from somewhere else. The answer is the same either way: get seen now, and make sure the records say when the symptoms began.
If you already told an adjuster you were not hurt, do not panic. Your medical records can explain what changed. Avoid giving more statements until you talk with a lawyer. Read what not to tell the insurance company before your next call with an adjuster, and keep notes of every conversation.
Paying the hospital and doctor bills
Use your health insurance or MedPay if you have it. MedPay pays reasonable medical expenses from a covered crash regardless of fault, up to the policy limit. If you have neither, some providers will treat you on a lien and wait for payment from the settlement. In Washington, insurers must offer PIP, which pays medical costs regardless of fault.
If you go to a hospital, California’s Hospital Lien Act limits what the hospital can collect from your recovery to up to 50 percent of the money owed to you under a judgment, settlement or compromise, after prior liens are paid. Keep every bill and explanation of benefits. Read who pays medical bills after a crash.
What to do now
Make an appointment today, or go to urgent care or the emergency room depending on how you feel. Bring your claim numbers and the other driver’s information. Take photos of any bruising or swelling. Keep a short journal of pain, sleep and the things you cannot do, along with witness names and every receipt.
Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer or sign a release before you talk with a lawyer. Do not accept a quick settlement before you know how serious the injury is. A California injury lawsuit must generally be filed within two years, and a Washington one within three years. Call Beverly Law at (310) 552-6959 or use the form.
Common questions
Is it too late to see a doctor three days after a car accident?
No. Many people first feel pain a day or more after a crash. See a doctor as soon as you can, explain when the crash happened and when your symptoms started, and follow the treatment plan. The record you create now helps both your health and your claim.
Should I go to the ER or urgent care days after a crash?
Go to the emergency room for severe or worsening symptoms, such as a bad headache, confusion, vomiting, numbness, weakness, or chest or abdominal pain. For stiffness, soreness or mild pain, urgent care or your regular doctor is often enough. When you are unsure, choose the emergency room.
Can the insurance company deny my claim because I waited?
An insurer may argue that a delay means the crash did not cause the injury, but a short delay with clear medical records can often be explained. The longer the gap, the harder that becomes. Get seen now and make sure the records describe when the symptoms started.
Who pays if I go to the hospital later?
The same sources as right after the crash: your health insurance, MedPay if you have it, or a provider who agrees to wait for the settlement. The at-fault driver’s insurer usually pays when the claim settles, and that payment should cover care the crash made necessary.
Ask a question
Not ready to call? Write your question and someone on our team will answer. No cost, no commitment.
Car and truck accident lawyer — Beverly Law
If you were hurt in a car or truck crash in California and Washington, talk to a personal injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Related pages
How long after a car accident injuries can show up · Making a whiplash claim after a car accident · Back or spine injury after a car accident · Herniated disc after a car accident · Concussion or brain injury after a crash · All car and truck accident questions
Sources
Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.