My Neck Hurts After a Car Accident. Should I See a Doctor?

Neck pain after a car accident can begin immediately or develop several hours or days later. Even when the collision did not initially seem serious, new neck pain should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Quick Answer

Yes. If you have neck pain after a car accident, contact a qualified healthcare professional and arrange a prompt medical evaluation. Neck pain may be caused by whiplash or another soft-tissue injury, but a medical professional can also evaluate you for fractures, nerve injuries, concussion symptoms, or other conditions.

Call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately if the neck pain is severe or accompanied by weakness, numbness, difficulty walking, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, confusion, unusual behavior, extreme drowsiness, or loss of consciousness.

Key Takeaways

• Neck pain after a car accident should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.
• Whiplash and other symptoms may not appear until hours or days after the collision.
• Severe pain, weakness, numbness, difficulty walking, repeated vomiting, confusion, or loss of consciousness may require emergency care.
• Explain when the accident occurred, when your symptoms began, and whether they are becoming worse.
• Keep copies of your medical records, bills, prescriptions, referrals, and follow-up instructions.

Why Can You Have Neck Pain After a Car Accident?

A collision can cause the head and neck to move suddenly backward, forward, or sideways. This motion can strain muscles, ligaments, and other tissues in the neck.

One common result is whiplash, which is sometimes described as a neck sprain or strain. According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash symptoms may include:

• neck pain and stiffness;
• pain that becomes worse when moving the neck;
• reduced range of motion;
• headaches, often beginning near the base of the skull;
• shoulder, upper-back, or arm pain;
• tingling or numbness in the arms;
• dizziness; and
• fatigue.

Neck pain does not automatically mean you have whiplash. Because different injuries can produce similar symptoms, a healthcare professional should determine what may be causing your pain.

Should You See a Doctor for Neck Pain After a Car Accident?

Yes. The Mayo Clinic recommends seeing a healthcare professional when neck pain or other whiplash symptoms develop after a car accident or another injury. A medical evaluation can help rule out broken bones or other damage that could cause or worsen the symptoms.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you might contact your family doctor, visit an urgent-care center, or go to an emergency department. The appropriate choice depends on the circumstances and should be based on medical—not insurance or legal—considerations.

When speaking with the medical provider, explain:

• when and how the accident happened;
• whether your head struck anything;
• when the neck pain began;
• whether the pain has become worse;
• whether the pain travels into your shoulders or arms;
• whether you have numbness, tingling, weakness, dizziness, or headaches; and
• whether you have experienced confusion, memory problems, nausea, or vomiting.

Do not minimize or exaggerate your symptoms. Describe what you are experiencing as accurately as possible.

When Does Neck Pain After a Car Accident Require Emergency Care?

Some symptoms may indicate a more serious neck, spinal, or head injury.

Call 911 or obtain emergency medical assistance if you experience severe neck pain or symptoms such as:

• weakness or numbness in an arm or leg;
• difficulty walking or maintaining coordination;
• a worsening headache that does not go away;
• repeated vomiting;
• seizures or convulsions;
• slurred speech;
• confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior;
• extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking up; or
• loss of consciousness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies these as potential danger signs following a head or body injury. Do not wait for an insurance company or attorney to tell you whether to obtain emergency care.

Can Neck Pain After a Car Accident Be Delayed?

Yes. Neck pain after a car accident may not begin until several hours or days after the collision. Whiplash symptoms frequently begin within days of the injury rather than at the accident scene. The stress and activity surrounding a collision may also make it difficult to recognize symptoms immediately.

Pay attention to changes in how you feel during the hours and days following the crash. Make a note of when the pain, stiffness, headache, dizziness, or other symptoms began and whether they have changed.

If a healthcare professional gives you follow-up instructions, follow them and report symptoms that become worse or do not improve.

Why Is Medical Documentation Important?

The primary reason to obtain medical care is to protect your health. Medical records may also become important if an insurance company later evaluates whether your symptoms and treatment were related to the accident.

Medical records can also document when neck pain after a car accident was first reported and how the symptoms changed over time.

Keep copies of:

• discharge instructions;
• diagnostic reports;
• medical bills;
• prescriptions;
• referrals;
• physical-therapy records;
• work restrictions; and
• follow-up appointments.

A simple daily record of your symptoms may also help you accurately explain changes to your healthcare provider.

Who Pays the Medical Bills in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania automobile insurance policies include first-party medical-benefits coverage. According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, this coverage pays medical bills for you and others covered by the policy, and the minimum required limit is $5,000.

The Pennsylvania Automobile Insurance Guide explains that these medical benefits apply regardless of fault when covered individuals are injured in a motor-vehicle accident. The available coverage and claims process will depend on the applicable policies and the circumstances of the crash.

Learn more in: Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?

Related PLC Articles

• Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?
• The Insurance Company Wants a Recorded Statement. Do I Have to Give One?
• The Philadelphia Injury Playbook

What To Do Next

• Contact a qualified healthcare professional about your neck pain.
• Call 911 if you have severe pain or emergency warning signs.
• Explain when the crash and symptoms occurred.
• Follow the medical provider’s instructions.
• Keep copies of medical records, bills, prescriptions, and referrals.
• Notify the appropriate automobile insurance company.
• Avoid guessing when answering questions about your symptoms or the collision.
• Learn how your Pennsylvania medical-benefits coverage applies.