Emergency signs
Warning Signs After a Car Accident: When to Get Emergency Care
Use this page for triage, not diagnosis. If a danger sign is happening now, call 911 or go to an emergency department rather than calling a chiropractic office.
Before anything else: warning signs that need emergency care
After a crash or other significant jolt, some symptoms need emergency medical evaluation rather than a chiropractic appointment. Call 911 or go to an emergency department now if any of the following are happening.
Head or brain warning signs
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away
- Repeated vomiting
- Convulsions or seizures
- Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- Slurred speech or unusual behavior
- One pupil larger than the other, or double vision
- Increasing confusion, restlessness, agitation, or inability to recognize people or places
- Loss of consciousness, marked drowsiness, or difficulty waking up
The CDC lists these as concussion danger signs after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Read the CDC concussion warning signs.
Spine, chest, or abdominal warning signs
- New loss of bladder or bowel control after a neck or back injury
- New or worsening weakness, numbness, or major trouble walking after a neck or back injury
- Severe chest pain or pressure
- Trouble breathing
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain after the crash
These symptoms can point to problems that need medical evaluation beyond the scope of a chiropractic office. If you take a blood thinner, have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant, or have another condition that could affect the response to trauma, tell the emergency or medical clinician who evaluates you.
A previous emergency department visit does not make new or worsening symptoms irrelevant. If a danger sign appears later, seek emergency care based on what is happening now.
Symptoms Can Appear Later
The CDC notes that signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury or concussion may appear immediately or may show up hours or days after the injury. A period of feeling relatively well does not cancel a new change later.
Read the CDC concussion signs, symptoms, and danger signs.
What if an Emergency Department Already Evaluated Me?
Follow the discharge and follow-up instructions you were given. An earlier evaluation does not make a new or worsening danger sign irrelevant. Seek medical care again based on what is happening now.
What if None of These Danger Signs Is Happening?
Not every symptom after a collision is an emergency, but that does not make it a chiropractic diagnosis from a website. Persistent or changing neck or back symptoms can be discussed with an appropriate clinician after urgent medical concerns have been addressed.
If the remaining concern is mainly musculoskeletal, see car accident injury evaluation and chiropractic care.
Care at Spine & Motion is provided by Nicholas Heuker, DC.