Car Accident in Orange County, CA? The First 72 Hrs After Your Accident Can Make or Break Your Case… and Your Health
Listen up, the next 72 hours could determine whether you recover fully or end up dealing with chronic pain for years…
I’m Dr. Barry Marks, chiropractor and car accident injury specialist since 1986… I’ve treated thousands of car accident victims. The biggest mistake I see? People waiting too long to take action…
By the time they come to my office, hidden injuries have already set in—and their insurance claim is already compromised…
Today, I’m giving you the exact checklist I wish every accident victim had on their phone or in their glove compartment. Let’s make sure you don’t become another statistic.
Please read on, but if you’re in a hurry, GRAB YOUR FREE CHECKLIST at the BOTTOM of Page
The Emergency Room is Just the Start, Not the End
Here’s what most people don’t realize… the emergency room is designed to rule out life-threatening injuries—fractures, internal bleeding, things like that. But they’re not looking for whiplash. They’re not checking for concussion symptoms that show up days later. They’re not documenting the stiffness in your neck that could turn into a chronic problem.
Medical Treatment is Fine, But Inadequate for Car Accident Whiplash
Studies have shown that for car accident whiplash injuries medications don’t work. The typical treatment of muscle relaxers + anti-inflammatories + pain killers simply isn’t effective and actually leads to longer recovery periods and increased disability later.
I learned this the hard way when I was only 15… I injured my neck so badly in a motorcycle accident, my neck was stuck tilted to one side. My family doctor offered no help… just told me to take pills and wait it out.
A classmate’s father, a chiropractor, evaluated me, gave me some heat therapy, adjusted me, and I could move again. That moment changed my life. I decided right then I wanted to help people get that kind of relief.
And from my years in school and then in post-doctorate training, I learned from the Guru of Whiplash that: early intervention is everything. The longer you wait, the harder recovery becomes. So let’s walk through exactly what you need to do… hour by hour… in those critical first 72 hours.
AT THE SCENE: Your Immediate Actions
Okay, you’ve just been hit… Your heart’s racing, maybe you’re shaking. First things first:
1. Safety first…Turn on your hazard lights. If you can move your car safely out of traffic, do it. Check yourself, your passengers, anyone else involved—are there injuries?
2. Call 911… Even if you feel fine.
…Even if the other driver is begging you not to. You need paramedics and police on scene…. This creates an official record, and trust me, you’ll need that later…
3. Stay put… Do not leave the scene until police arrive or you’ve exchanged information. Leaving early can hurt your claim—and in some states, it’s illegal…
Now you might be thinking, “But I feel fine, do I really need all this?”…
Yes… Because here’s what happens after an accident: tissues are damaged. Severe injuries hurt right away because there’s severe damage. But less severe injuries? The inflammation builds up over hours, days and even weeks. The spasms set in gradually. By the time you feel it, the damage is already done.
Here’s The Information You MUST Collect at the Scene of the Accident
While you’re waiting for police, start gathering information. This is not the time to be polite and skip steps.
From the other driver:
- Full name and contact info
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Vehicle make and model
- Insurance company and policy number
Any Witnesses?
• You need Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened…
… And Here’s something most people miss: Take photos. Lots of them!
Multiple angles of vehicle damage, the overall scene, license plates, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Your phone is your best evidence tool.
From the police:
• You need the Officer’s name and badge number or they will give you a card that contains the information with a Police report number and phone number to call.
And here’s another critical part most people get wrong:… Do NOT Call a Lawyer Yet… I know that sounds backwards, but hear me out…
First, you need to see a car accident specialist doctor to know what your condition actually is. Then you can decide if you need legal help. Too many people rush to hire an attorney before they even know what they’re dealing with. And sometimes you will hire the wrong attorney for your particular case and you won’t know it until several months down the road, when it might be too late.
After Leaving the Accident Scene your 72 hour Window starts
This is where most people mess up their recovery and their claim… Here’s your priority list:
Priority number 1: Seek medical attention within 72 hours
Listen carefully, insurance companies will discount your claim if you don’t seek medical attention within 72 hours of the accident. Even if you feel fine right now, see a car accident specialist… NOT your family doctor… NOT an urgent care… A specialist who knows what to look for.
Because we’re checking for hidden injuries—things the emergency room missed. What are we looking for??
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Headaches that come and go
- Dizziness
- Poor concentration
- Mood changes
These are signs of concussion that most people ignore. Many of these symptoms develop hours or days after the crash, so they aren’t seen in the ER.
And here’s a key indicator: neck stiffness.
Stiffness of the neck is actually a more accurate sign of injury than pain… If you’re stiff right away, you’ve suffered a moderate injury or worse… That stiffness? It means your neck is trying to protect damaged tissues.
Priority #3: File your DMV report if required
In California and some other states, you must report accidents with over $1,000 in vehicle damage or any injury or death to the DMV. The form is called an SR-1. Don’t skip this—it’s a legal requirement. You can complete it online here
Priority #4: Be cautious with statements
Here’s where people sabotage their own claims: Do not discuss fault with the other party. Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies without understanding your policy and your rights first.
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They’re not your friend. Be polite, provide facts, but don’t speculate about what happened or how you feel.
Lastly, do NOT under any circumstances, agree to meet with the other party’s insurance adjuster.
They may seem friendly. They might seem like they want to help you, but trust me. The “let’s meet at Starbucks or at your home or work to over a few things” is a sophisticated manipulation that you are not ready for. These initial adjustors attend classes on manipulation and persuasion. They are well trained on human behavior and how to take advantage of you. This meeting is all about saving money for the insurance company and not your welfare.
Often they will offer you a check for between $500 and $3,000 depending on your demographics, AND the promise to pay medical bills upwards of $1,000 to $3,000 within a 90 day window.
You should know a small claim should be double those numbers. So the adjustor pressures you into signing a release and then they give you a check. Once you’ve signed, you have given up all rights forever on your claim. If you later find out your injury is worse and you need more treatment, too bad.
After the Accident and You’ve Taken Care of Everything, it’s Time to Think About You.
Here is your AT HOME Self-Care Protocol
While you’re waiting for your specialist appointment, here’s what you should do:
First 2 days after the accident you need to reduce inflammation and pain
• Apply ice for 10-12 minutes to any injured area—this stems inflammation. Remember to always place a paper towel between a gel ice pack and your skin to avoid freezer burns and never fall asleep while using ice.
• Avoid strenuous activities…
After 2 days you can now
- Soak in a hot shower or use a heating pad for 10-15 minutes
- Gentle range-of-motion stretches
- Apply ice for 10 to 12 minutes
For neck pain specifically:
Neck Roll: Try lying face-up with a tightly rolled towel under your neck for up to 15 minutes. This supports the natural curve of your neck and takes stress off of your neck. You can place an ice pack on the towel so you are doing ice and neck roll at the same time. If you do this, make the towel roll a little bit smaller.
For low back pain:
90-90 Position: Lie on your back with your legs supported by a sideways chair or sofa… your hips and knees bent at 90-degree angles…
And here’s something critical: … keep moving!
Just Light activity; but Don’t just sit or lie around. That actually makes most problems worse. Your body needs gentle movement to heal properly.
Warning! RED FLAGS: When to Go to the ER Immediately! …
If you experience any of these, stop what you’re doing and get to an emergency room!
• Direct head trauma with severe headache, dizziness, and vomiting
• Loss of sensation in your saddle area or difficulty controlling bowel/bladder
• Difficulty understanding speech or writing, or you’re disoriented
• Severe pain that can’t tolerate even the lightest touch
These are signs of serious complications that need immediate attention.
Okay, let’s bring this home…
If you take nothing else from this video, remember these three things:
One: The first 72 hours determine your recovery and your claim… Don’t wait. Get evaluated by a car accident specialist within three days—even if you feel fine…
Two: Document everything. Photos, contact info, police reports, insurance details. Your phone and a folder are your best tools…
Three: Don’t rush to hire a lawyer before you know what you’re dealing with… See a specialist doctor first, understand your condition,…then make informed decisions.
Look, I’ve seen people who did everything right walk away from serious accidents and recover fully. And I’ve seen people ignore the warning signs and end up with chronic pain that could have been prevented. The difference? Taking action in that 72-hour window.
If this was helpful and you want more specific guidance, I’ve put together a free downloadable checklist that covers everything we talked about today—plus a few extras I didn’t have time to mention.
GRAB YOUR FREE CHECKLIST HERE
It’s designed to keep on your phone or in your car so you have it if you ever need it.
And if you’re in Orange County and you’ve been in an accident, you can book a consultation at my office…
We’ll do a comprehensive evaluation and make sure nothing’s been missed. You can get an evaluation at no up-front cost to you so there is no risk at all. Get Your Car Accident Evaluation Here
