Immediate Care After Your Accident
A complete guide to protecting your health and your legal rights. From the scene of the accident to recovery, we'll help you take the right steps at every stage.
The first few minutes and hours after an accident are critical. Here's exactly what you should do.
First, check yourself and any passengers for visible injuries. If anyone is injured or experiencing severe pain, call 911 immediately. Don't move anyone with potential spinal injuries. Even if you feel fine, some injuries don't show symptoms immediately.
If possible and safe, move vehicles out of traffic to prevent additional accidents. Turn on hazard lights. If you can't move the vehicle safely, stay inside with your seatbelt on and wait for emergency responders. Turn off engines to prevent fires.
Always call the police to file a report, even for minor accidents. Get the police report number and the officer's name and badge number. The police report is crucial documentation for your insurance claim and any legal proceedings. Don't admit fault or apologize for the accident.
Take photos and videos of all vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and weather. Take pictures from multiple angles. If there are skid marks or debris, photograph those too. These images provide valuable evidence for your claim.
Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, email, driver's license number, vehicle make/model/year, license plate number, and insurance information. Also get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Write down the time, location, and weather conditions.
Contact your insurance company within 24 hours. Provide them with the police report number and basic accident information. Don't give them a recorded statement without consulting an attorney first. Stick to the facts and avoid speculation.
Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Here's what you need to know about post-accident medical care.
Many car accident injuries don't show symptoms immediately. Whiplash, back injuries, and head injuries can develop over hours or days. Getting evaluated right away creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident, which is crucial for your insurance claim and any legal case. Early treatment also improves your recovery outcomes.
At Oakland Accident Care, we specialize in comprehensive evaluations for accident victims. We document everything thoroughly so you have the evidence you need to get fair compensation for your injuries.
Specialized treatment for accident injuries that doctors often miss.
Chiropractors specialize in musculoskeletal injuries from accidents. We understand the unique mechanisms of car accident injuries and provide targeted treatment for whiplash, spinal misalignments, and soft tissue damage that emergency rooms often overlook.
We maintain detailed records of your injuries, treatment, and progress. This documentation is essential for insurance claims and any legal proceedings. We document everything thoroughly so you have strong evidence for your case.
Early chiropractic treatment prevents acute injuries from becoming chronic conditions. Untreated whiplash and spinal injuries can cause pain and dysfunction for years. Proper treatment now saves you from long-term suffering and disability.
We can usually see you the same day you call. Getting examined early means nothing gets missed in the first few days, when symptoms are still changing. How any one person responds depends on the injury and on them, and we will talk with you honestly about what we are seeing as we go.
Chiropractic care is non-surgical and doesn't involve prescription medications. We use manual adjustments, physical therapy, and other proven techniques to treat your injuries naturally without the risks of surgery or drug dependency.
Our job is to examine you carefully and write down exactly what we find, when we found it, and how it changes over time. We are your treating doctor, not an expert witness, and we do not put a dollar figure on anyone's case. What we can do is keep the clinical record accurate, contemporaneous and complete, so whoever reads it later is reading facts.
Important information for accident victims in Oakland, California.
Non-Emergency: (510) 238-3000
Always file a police report for any accident. The report provides crucial documentation for your insurance claim and legal case. Get the report number and officer information.
Minimum coverage: 15/30/5 (bodily injury/property damage)
California is a comparative negligence state. Even if you're partially at fault, you may still recover damages. Consult with an attorney about your specific situation.
Personal injury claims: 2 years from date of accident
Don't delay filing your claim. The sooner you document your injuries and begin treatment, the stronger your case will be. Time is critical.
Alameda County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service · State Bar of California
We do not recommend a specific law firm, and we accept no fee, referral payment, or consideration of any kind from any attorney. If you want counsel, the Alameda County Bar Association runs a State Bar–certified referral service, and the State Bar keeps a public directory you can search yourself. The choice is entirely yours, and you are welcome here whether you hire anyone or not.
The practical things nobody hands you at the scene. We receive nothing for any listing on this page. Want this as a printable checklist with a symptom log? Get the free Oakland Crash Kit.
California requires you to file a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California, form SR-1, with the DMV within 10 days of a collision involving any injury or death, or more than $1,000 in property damage. It is separate from the police report and separate from your insurance claim, and you file it regardless of who was at fault. Missing it can put your driving privilege at risk. You can file through the DMV Virtual Office at dmv.ca.gov.
Nearly every accident patient we meet in Oakland has never heard of it. If you take one thing from this page, take this.
If Oakland Police responded, the report is requested from the City of Oakland at oaklandca.gov, under Police, then Request a Police Report, then Vehicle Collision Reports. The OPD non-emergency line is (510) 238-3000 — that is the Oakland Police Department's own number, not ours. Reports take several days to become available, and you will need the date, the location, and the report number the officer gave you.
If your collision happened on I-880, I-580, I-980 or Highway 24, it was almost certainly the California Highway Patrol rather than OPD, and you request the CHP 190 report through chp.ca.gov instead. People lose weeks asking the wrong agency for the same document. Full walkthrough: how to get your Oakland collision report.
An adjuster will often steer you toward a shop on their preferred or direct-repair list. You are not required to use it. You may take your vehicle to any licensed repair shop you choose, and an independent shop answers to you rather than to an insurer's cost target. These are established collision shops near downtown Oakland.
Anything on the red list above belongs in an emergency room, not an urgent care and not a chiropractic office. For everything else, these Oakland clinics keep evening or weekend hours.
If you are looking for something specific, it is probably here.
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Most of this page assumes you were driving. If a car struck you while you were walking or riding a bike, the insurance picture is different: your own auto policy may cover you even though your car was at home, and a hit-and-run changes the route entirely. If you were driving for Uber, Lyft or a delivery app, see the rideshare and delivery driver guide.
Real stories from Oakland residents who recovered from accident injuries with our help.
Rear-End Collision
"I was in a rear-end accident and didn't think I was hurt. Dr. Ben caught injuries I didn't even know I had and got me started on treatment right away. The detailed documentation he provided helped me get a fair settlement. Highly recommend!"
Multi-Vehicle Accident
"After my multi-car accident, I was in so much pain I could barely move. Dr. Ben's treatment plan was exactly what I needed. He explained everything clearly and kept me informed every step of the way. I'm back to normal now!"
Side-Impact Collision
"I was worried about long-term effects from my accident. Oakland Accident Care provided comprehensive care and documentation that my attorney said was perfect for my case. Excellent service and genuine care!"
Common questions about what to do after a car accident.
Get evaluated by our accident injury specialists today. Early treatment and documentation give you the best chance for full recovery and fair compensation.
Same-day appointments available. Open 7 days a week.