What to Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you have just been in a car accident: first move to a safe place and call 911 when anyone may have a serious injury. After urgent concerns are addressed, pay attention to new or changing symptoms. Whiplash, neck pain, lower-back pain, headaches, and soft tissue injuries may not be obvious immediately after a collision.

Live Well Chiropractic and Pilates Center provides auto-accident evaluations in Mid-City Los Angeles on West Pico Boulevard, near The Grove and LACMA. Same-day appointments are often available. Call (323) 930-9355 now or book online.

This guide from Dr. Matthew Gloin, D.C. explains what to do after a car accident injury and when chiropractic evaluation may be appropriate. It is general education, not emergency or legal advice.

What to Do After a Car Accident Injury

1. Address immediate safety and emergency symptoms

Call 911 or seek emergency care for loss of consciousness, confusion, severe or worsening headache, chest or abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected fracture, new weakness, loss of coordination, or numbness around the groin. Do not move someone who may have a serious neck or spinal injury unless remaining in place is dangerous.

2. Document what happened

When it is safe, exchange information, photograph the vehicles and scene, and note when symptoms begin or change. Keep copies of medical reports, imaging, claim information, and other records. Clinical care should be based on your health needs; legal and insurance questions should be directed to the appropriate professional.

3. Arrange an evaluation for pain or limited movement

An examination can help distinguish uncomplicated muscle and joint injuries from symptoms that need imaging, medical referral, or another type of care. If you are searching for an auto accident chiropractor near you, choose an office that performs an examination before recommending treatment and refers out when findings are outside its scope.

Common Car Accident Injuries We Evaluate

Whiplash

Rapid back-and-forth movement can strain joints, muscles, and ligaments in the neck. Symptoms may include stiffness, pain with turning, shoulder discomfort, and headaches. A whiplash chiropractor in Los Angeles should also screen for warning signs that require medical evaluation.

Neck pain

Neck pain after an accident may come from irritated joints, muscle guarding, or disc and nerve involvement. The location of pain alone does not identify the injured structure, which is why an examination matters.

Lower-back pain

A collision can irritate the joints and soft tissues of the lower back. Some people notice pain immediately; others feel increasing stiffness after sitting, driving, or sleeping.

Disc and nerve symptoms

Disc irritation may cause pain that travels into an arm or leg, along with numbness, tingling, or weakness. These symptoms require careful neurological testing. Learn more about herniated disc care and sciatica treatment.

Headaches

Headaches can accompany neck injury, but a new or severe headache after a crash can also signal a concussion or another urgent condition. Seek immediate medical help for concerning or worsening symptoms.

Why Symptoms Can Be Delayed

Stress during a collision can make it difficult to notice every symptom at the scene. Inflammation and muscle guarding can also build during the hours that follow. Feeling relatively well at first does not prove that no injury occurred, but delayed discomfort does not reveal a diagnosis by itself. Track changes and have persistent or worsening symptoms evaluated.

Early evaluation creates a useful baseline and helps identify which activities are safe. It does not mean that every patient needs the same treatment or a long treatment plan.

What Happens at an Auto Accident Evaluation?

Dr. Matthew Gloin, D.C. begins with the details of the collision, your current symptoms, prior injuries, and relevant health history. The examination may include range of motion, orthopedic and neurological tests, strength, sensation, reflexes, posture, and movement. Imaging or referral to another healthcare professional is recommended when the findings call for it.

You should leave the evaluation with a clear explanation of the findings, appropriate next steps, and an opportunity to ask questions. See what to expect at your first visit and our insurance and payment information.

Our Approach to Auto Accident Recovery

Care is based on the examination and your goals. Chiropractic care may be the only service recommended. When appropriate, patients can choose to add soft tissue corrective therapy, Pilates rehabilitation, or acupuncture as recovery progresses.

• Chiropractic care: joint mobilization or adjustments selected for the patient and stage of recovery.
• Soft tissue corrective therapy: focused work for guarded or restricted muscles and related soft tissues.
• Pilates rehabilitation: guided movement and progressive strengthening when appropriate.
• Acupuncture: an additional treatment option for patients who choose it.

Most patients start with the service they seek and add another only if desired. We also collaborate with or refer to outside doctors and specialists when that better supports recovery.

Auto Accident Chiropractor in Mid-City Los Angeles

Our office is at 5553 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019, convenient to Mid-City Los Angeles, The Grove, LACMA, Miracle Mile, Carthay Circle, and Pico-Robertson. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Convenient street parking is available; there is no onsite lot.

For details about examinations, documentation, personal injury liens, and treatment options, visit our Auto Accident Injury Care in Los Angeles page.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?

After urgent injuries have been ruled out, arrange an evaluation promptly if you have pain, stiffness, headaches, numbness, tingling, weakness, or limited movement. Symptoms can change during the first several days, so do not rely only on how you felt immediately after the collision.

Can whiplash symptoms appear later?

Yes. Neck pain, stiffness, headaches, shoulder discomfort, and dizziness may become more noticeable hours or days after a collision. Seek urgent medical care for severe headache, confusion, fainting, repeated vomiting, worsening weakness, or other concerning symptoms.

Do I need an X-ray or MRI after an accident?

Not everyone needs imaging. Dr. Matthew Gloin, D.C. reviews your history and examination findings first, then recommends imaging or a referral when it is clinically appropriate.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Bring your identification, insurance information if applicable, accident or claim details, a list of symptoms and medications, and any reports or images you already have. You do not need to delay an evaluation while waiting for every document.

Does Live Well work with personal injury cases?

Yes. We evaluate auto-accident injuries, provide clinical documentation, and frequently work with personal injury liens. Contact the office so we can discuss your specific situation.

Ready to discuss your symptoms? Call (323) 930-9355 or contact our Mid-City Los Angeles office. Same-day appointments are available when the schedule permits.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general education and does not create a doctor-patient relationship or replace emergency or individualized medical care. Individual results vary.