The First Week After a Car Accident in Illinois: A Simple Checklist
Day 1
If anything feels like an emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Otherwise, arrange an exam with a licensed provider. Take photos of the vehicles and any visible injuries.
Days 2 and 3
Soreness and stiffness often build during this window. Write down what hurts and what you cannot do. If new symptoms appear, tell the provider.
Days 4 to 7
Go to the visits you were scheduled for and do any home exercises you were given. Start a folder for visit summaries, bills and any work notes.
All week
Keep a short daily note: pain, sleep, missed work, and anything you could not do. It takes two minutes and is hard to rebuild from memory later.
Common questions
What if I felt fine at the scene?
Symptoms can appear hours or days later. If they do, get examined and describe when each one started.
Do I need health insurance to be seen?
Illinois Personal Injury Centers schedules accident patients with providers at no upfront cost. Ask how billing works before the first visit.
This page is general information and is not medical or legal advice.