The seconds after a car accident are stressful and confusing. Whether it happened on I-4, along US 17-92, or on Maitland Boulevard, it can be hard to know what to do first, and the choices you make in the first few days can affect both your health and your insurance claim.
This checklist walks you through each step, from the crash scene to your recovery. It also covers Florida’s 14-day rule, which many drivers don’t learn about until it’s too late.
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Every accident and every injury is different.
Quick Checklist: What to Do After a Car Accident in Maitland, FL
- Check yourself and others for injuries, and call 911 if anyone is hurt
- Move to a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights
- Call the police and get a crash report
- Exchange information with the other driver
- Take photos and collect witness details
- Be careful about what you say at the scene
- Get a medical evaluation, even if you feel fine
- Notify your insurance company
- Watch for delayed symptoms over the next several days
- Follow through with recommended care and keep your records
Here is each step in more detail.
1. Check for Injuries and Call 911 if Needed
Your health comes first. Check yourself, your passengers, and the people in the other vehicle. If anyone is injured, unconscious, or complaining of severe pain, call 911 right away and avoid moving them unless they are in immediate danger.
Adrenaline can hide pain in the first minutes after a crash. Being able to walk and talk doesn’t mean you weren’t hurt.
2. Move to Safety and Turn on Your Hazard Lights
If your car can be driven and the crash was minor, move it out of traffic to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. On busy roads like I-4 or Orlando Avenue (US 17-92), staying in a live lane puts you at risk of a second collision.
If you can’t move the vehicle, keep your seatbelt on and your hazard lights flashing until help arrives.
3. Call the Police and Get a Crash Report
In Florida, crashes that involve injuries must be reported to law enforcement. Even for minor collisions, a police report is useful because it records the date, time, location, and parties involved. Insurance companies often ask for it.
Before the officer leaves, ask for the report number and how to get a copy.
4. Exchange Information With the Other Driver
Collect the following:
- Full name, phone number, and address
- Driver’s license number and license plate number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, and color
Take a photo of their insurance card and license plate if you can. It’s faster and more accurate than writing everything down.
5. Document the Scene
Use your phone to capture as much as possible before the vehicles are moved:
- Damage to all vehicles from several angles
- The overall scene, including road signs, traffic signals, and skid marks
- Weather and road conditions
- Any visible injuries
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses
Write down what happened while it’s fresh, including the time, direction of travel, and what you were doing just before impact.
6. Be Careful What You Say at the Scene
Be polite and cooperative, but don’t guess about fault and don’t say you’re “fine.” You may not know the full extent of your injuries yet. Stick to the facts when you talk to the police and the other driver.
7. Get a Medical Evaluation, Even if You Feel Fine
This is the step people skip most often, and it’s one of the most important. Many car accident injuries, including whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and disc problems, don’t cause obvious pain right away. Symptoms can take hours or days to appear.
If you have severe pain, dizziness, numbness, a head injury, or trouble breathing, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. For less urgent concerns, an urgent care clinic or your primary care provider can evaluate you.
Florida’s 14-Day Rule
Florida is a no-fault state, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays first, no matter who caused the crash. To use those benefits, you generally must get initial medical services and care within 14 days of the accident. Wait longer, and your insurer can deny your PIP medical claim.
Here is how the benefit limits work:
- PIP medical benefits can pay up to $10,000 if a qualified medical professional determines you had an “emergency medical condition.”
- If you don’t have that determination, medical benefits are limited to $2,500.
- Under Florida law, that determination must come from a medical or osteopathic physician, a dentist, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse. So it’s worth getting evaluated by one of them early.
You can read the full text of the law in Florida Statutes § 627.736 on the Florida Senate website. Your insurance agent or an attorney can explain how it applies to your policy.
8. Notify Your Insurance Company
Call your own insurer soon after the accident, even if you weren’t at fault. Give them the basic facts: when and where it happened, who was involved, and the police report number. You don’t need to give a detailed recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before you’ve had time to get medical care and think it through.
Keep a record of every call, including the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and a short summary.
9. Watch for Delayed Symptoms
Over the next several days, pay attention to how your body feels. Common signs after a crash include:
- Neck pain or stiffness (a classic sign of whiplash)
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Shoulder, upper back, or lower back pain
- Pain, tingling, or numbness that travels into an arm or leg (sometimes linked to sciatica or a disc injury)
- Dizziness or trouble concentrating
- Trouble sleeping because of pain
Because these symptoms often show up late, delayed whiplash symptoms are one of the main reasons the 14-day window matters. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait to see if it passes.
10. Follow Through With Care and Keep Your Records
If you’re told to rest, take medication, or follow up with a specialist, do it. Skipping follow-up care can slow your recovery, and gaps in treatment can complicate an insurance claim.
Keep everything in one folder:
- The police report
- Photos and notes from the scene
- Medical records and bills
- Insurance letters and claim numbers
- A short diary of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life
If your accident involved serious injuries, disputed fault, or a denied claim, speaking with a Florida personal injury attorney may be a good idea.
How a Chiropractor Can Help After a Car Accident
A chiropractor can be one part of your recovery after a crash, especially for neck pain, back pain, headaches, and soft tissue injuries. Chiropractic care is one of the types of care that can count as your initial services within Florida’s 14-day window. Pair it with a medical evaluation, since a doctor can tell you whether you need imaging or other treatment.
At Thrive Restoration Clinic in Maitland, Dr. Uche Ukeagu starts with a thorough exam and a conversation about how the accident happened and what you’re feeling. If needed, he can refer you for X-rays or MRI. From there, your care plan is built around your injury and your goals, and may include:
- Gentle chiropractic adjustments, including low-force options for patients who can’t tolerate manual adjustments
- Spinal decompression for disc-related pain such as bulging or herniated discs and sciatica
- Class IV laser therapy to support pain relief and healing in sore, inflamed tissue
Results vary from person to person, and no clinic can promise a specific outcome. What we can promise is a clear explanation of what’s going on and a plan you understand.
You can learn more about our auto accident treatment or read about Dr. U’s background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see a chiropractor or go to the ER after a car accident?
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have severe pain, a head injury, loss of consciousness, numbness or weakness, chest pain, or trouble breathing. For neck pain, back pain, and stiffness that aren’t emergencies, a chiropractor can evaluate you. It’s wise to also get a medical evaluation within the 14-day window.
How soon after a car accident should I get checked out?
As soon as possible, ideally the same day or the next. In Florida, you generally need initial care within 14 days to access PIP medical benefits.
Can I have whiplash if I feel fine right after the crash?
Yes. Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries often don’t cause symptoms until hours or days later, once swelling and muscle tightness set in.
How long does whiplash take to heal?
It varies. Mild cases may improve within a few weeks, while others take longer, especially if there is a disc or ligament injury. A professional exam helps set realistic expectations.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
No referral is needed to book an appointment at Thrive Restoration Clinic. Same-day appointments are typically available.
Does Thrive Restoration Clinic accept insurance?
We are in-network with Florida Blue and Cigna, and we offer other financing options. Our new patients pageexplains what to expect, and our team can talk you through your coverage and PIP questions when you call.
Hurt in a Crash Near Maitland or Winter Park? We’re Here to Help
If you were in an accident and are dealing with neck pain, back pain, headaches, or just a feeling that something isn’t right, don’t wait until the 14-day window is almost over.
Book an appointment or call (407) 887-6568.
Thrive Restoration Clinic100 E Sybelia Ave, Suite 217, Maitland, FL 32751
This post is for general educational purposes only and does not replace medical or legal advice. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911.