1. Put immediate medical needs first.
Call 911 for a medical emergency, including serious neck or spine injury with loss of feeling or movement, or a head injury with confusion or loss of consciousness. Do not make a routine office booking your first response to a suspected serious injury.
When you are assessed, explain that you were in a collision and follow the clinician’s discharge or follow-up instructions.
2. Keep the details together.
Record the accident date, when symptoms began and any care already received. Save discharge instructions, available test results, insurer messages and claim details in one place.
Useful notes describe changes over time and activities affected. For example: “Monday: comfortable at first; Tuesday: turning my head at work became difficult.” This is information for your clinician, not proof of a particular diagnosis.
3. Contact your insurer promptly.
Notify the appropriate insurer and ask what written forms and deadlines apply. New York’s general No-Fault notice rule is 30 days, with a possible exception for justified late notice. The No-Fault guide explains this distinction and links to official state information.
Requirements depend on the circumstances. For questions about liability, legal rights or a dispute, seek qualified advice rather than relying on a healthcare landing page.
4. Choose follow-up that fits your symptoms.
If neck or back discomfort continues after immediate needs have been addressed, arrange an appropriate assessment. Bring your existing records. Ask what the findings indicate and whether another provider or further investigation is needed.
For chiropractic follow-up, Dr. Sirota offers individual evaluations in White Plains. Start with the accident-care page, or explore neck pain, back pain and whiplash.
Should I get checked after an auto accident?
If you have symptoms or concerns after a collision, contact a healthcare professional for advice about the right assessment. Seek care promptly for suspected head injury. Some concussion symptoms can develop later; feeling comfortable immediately after the crash does not answer every question about injury. Follow any instructions you received from emergency or hospital care. See the CDC guidance on assessment after a suspected concussion.
For neck or back follow-up once immediate medical needs have been addressed, Dr. Sirota offers individual evaluations in White Plains. Bring your discharge paperwork, symptom timeline, and prior treatment records. An evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic care, another provider, or further investigation is appropriate.
What if physical therapy has not helped?
If your doctor referred you to PT and you completed the visits and home exercises but remain in pain, bring that history to your assessment. You deserve a clear conversation about what has changed, what is still limiting you, and whether a different approach is appropriate. Read about frequent neck pain and headaches after a car accident.
Questions patients ask
What if symptoms begin later?
Record when they start and contact a clinician about persistent or concerning symptoms. Some whiplash symptoms take hours to appear; delayed symptoms should not be dismissed.
Do I need a claim number before I can call the office?
You can call to discuss the next step even if you do not have every detail. The office will explain what information is needed for your appointment and payment arrangements.
Does this checklist replace emergency or legal advice?
No. This guide supports an informed next step. Emergency services, an examining clinician, your insurer and qualified legal advisers each have different roles.
Sources & practice information
Updated November 10, 2026. Practice information: Jonathan A. Sirota, DC, CCSP, PC, in practice since 1990. Medical and insurance information is based on the sources below; these organizations do not endorse this practice.
General education cannot diagnose an injury or establish insurance coverage. An individual examination and claim review are required.