You walked away from the crash. The car is at the shop, the insurance calls have started, and you're telling everyone you're fine. Then a few hours or days later, your head starts pounding, the room tilts when you stand up, or your neck won't turn when you check your blind spot.
These three symptoms are among the most common signs of an auto accident injury, and they often show up together. Here's what's behind them, when to get checked, and how to get injury care started in New Castle County, DE.
Why These Symptoms Show Up After a Car Accident
In a crash, your body can go from moving to stopped in a fraction of a second. Your torso is held by the seat belt while your head and neck snap forward and back. This is the classic whiplash motion, and it can strain the muscles, ligaments and joints of the neck.
Because the neck supports the head and houses the pathways between the brain and the body, a neck injury rarely stays in the neck. That's why one car accident can produce pain, headaches and dizziness at once. You can read more in our guide to the symptoms and causes of whiplash injury.
Headaches After a Car Accident
Post-accident headaches are very common. They often start at the base of the skull and can spread to the temples or behind the eyes. Common causes include:
- Tight, strained neck muscles that refer pain up into the head
- Irritated joints in the upper neck, which can trigger what are called cervicogenic headaches
- Muscle guarding, when your body tightens around an injured area to protect it
Headaches are one of the classic delayed symptoms. Many people don't notice them until the adrenaline wears off, which is why it helps to understand delayed symptoms after a car accident.
Dizziness After a Car Accident
Feeling lightheaded, unsteady or "off" after a crash is a sign to take seriously. Dizziness can come from:
- Neck joint and muscle irritation, because the neck sends balance signals to the brain
- Disrupted communication between the neck and the brain after the whiplash motion (see how the brain changes after whiplash)
- Other injuries from the impact, which a thorough exam helps sort out
Neck Stiffness After a Car Accident
Neck stiffness is the symptom most people expect, but it can be easy to dismiss. You may notice:
- Trouble turning your head to either side
- A "locked" or tight feeling in the morning
- Pain that travels into the shoulders or upper back
- Soreness that gets worse after sitting or driving
If stiffness lingers, don't just wait it out. Unaddressed soft-tissue injuries can keep you hurting longer than they need to. Our post on how long whiplash lasts explains what recovery can look like.
When to Go to the ER Instead
Some symptoms need emergency care right away. Go to the ER or call 911 if you have:
- A severe headache that is sudden or getting worse
- Repeated vomiting, confusion or trouble staying awake
- Slurred speech, weakness or numbness
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Vision changes
If you're unsure where to go, this breakdown of chiropractor vs. urgent care vs. ER after an accident can help.
Why Your First Stop Should Be a PIP Chiropractor
If you're medically stable but hurting, the best time to be seen is early, before symptoms settle in. At New Castle Personal Injury Doctor, Dr. Shelly McPhatter and our team focus on acute injuries from recent car accidents and falls. We're a PIP chiropractor office, and we're also your first stop for physical therapy. Both are handled under one roof, so you don't have to coordinate between offices.
Chiropractic and physical therapy together. Many patients come to us only for physical therapy, and many come for chiropractic care. There's no difference in how easy it is to start with either one. We evaluate your injury and build a plan around what you need, which may include chiropractic care, physical therapy, or both.
No referral needed. You do not need a referral from a primary care doctor, urgent care or anyone else for your first visit. Call us and we'll schedule your exam. Not sure what to expect? See what happens at your first auto accident injury exam.
We treat recent injuries, not long-standing conditions. Our care is built for acute injuries from a recent accident or fall, such as whiplash, neck and back strains, and post-crash headaches.
How Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Help Recent Auto Injuries
After a thorough exam, your plan may include:
- Gentle spinal and joint care to improve motion and ease pain in the neck and upper back (see our top chiropractic techniques for auto accident injury)
- Soft-tissue therapies to calm tight, guarded muscles
- Targeted physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore strength, mobility and stability (try these exercises after a car accident)
- Guidance on daily habits, like posture, sleep position and activity, so you heal well between visits
Wondering how the two approaches compare? Our post on chiropractic vs. physical therapy after a crash breaks it down.
Using Your Delaware PIP Coverage
Delaware requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which helps pay medical expenses and lost earnings after an accident regardless of who was at fault. You can read the basics on the State of Delaware's Personal Injury Protection overview. Our team can walk you through how your coverage applies to your care. For more, see our guide to Delaware PIP insurance after a car accident.
Good records also help your recovery and your claim. Here's how to document your injuries and treatment after a crash.
What to Do Right Now
- Rule out emergencies using the warning signs above.
- Write down your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them worse.
- Don't wait for it to go away. Early evaluation matters, even if you "feel mostly fine." See why you can feel fine after a car accident and still be injured.
- Call New Castle Personal Injury Doctor to book your exam. No referral is needed.
For a full walkthrough, read what to do if you were injured in a car accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a PIP chiropractor in Delaware?
No. You can call us directly to schedule your first visit.
Are headaches and dizziness after a car accident normal?
They're common, but they're not something to ignore. They can signal a neck or other impact-related injury, and a prompt exam is the best way to find out.
How soon should I get checked after an auto accident injury?
As soon as you're medically stable. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness and neck stiffness can appear hours or days later, and early care is generally best.
Can I see you for physical therapy only?
Yes. Many patients come to us only for physical therapy. We're a first stop for both chiropractic care and physical therapy.
Does PIP insurance cover chiropractic and injury care?
PIP is designed to help cover accident-related medical expenses. Coverage details vary by policy, so our team can help you understand how yours applies.
Do you treat long-term or chronic conditions?
No. We focus on acute injuries from recent car accidents and falls.
Get Injury Care in New Castle County, DE
Headaches, dizziness and neck stiffness are signs your body is telling you something. Don't wait for them to settle in. Call New Castle Personal Injury Doctor to schedule your auto accident injury exam. We serve patients across New Castle County, including Wilmington, Newark, Bear, Middletown, New Castle, Newport, Elsmere, Claymont, Hockessin and Pike Creek.
Reviewed by Dr. Shelly McPhatter, New Castle Personal Injury Doctor. This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a personal medical exam.