Key takeaways
- See a doctor the same day or the next, even if the pain seems minor. Some injuries appear hours later.
- Ask for a medical certificate describing the injuries and the time off work prescribed.
- Keep every receipt and a simple pain and costs diary.
- Don’t sign a final settlement until your doctor says your condition is stable.
After a collision, adrenaline hides pain. Many people go home saying “I’m fine” and wake up the next morning with a stiff neck, headaches or back pain. If you later claim compensation, the first question will be: when did you see a doctor, and what did they write? This guide applies to road accidents, but also to falls, assaults or any incident where you’re hurt.
See a doctor quickly
Go to an emergency department, a clinic or your doctor within 24 to 48 hours. Tell them it was an accident, and describe every symptom, even small ones: dizziness, a bruise, tingling, trouble sleeping. A gap of several days between the accident and the first consultation is often used to question the link between the two.
Go to emergency services immediately for a head injury with vomiting or confusion, chest or abdominal pain, numbness, or difficulty breathing.
The medical certificate
Ask for an initial medical certificate that describes your injuries and states any time off work or temporary incapacity the doctor prescribes. In some countries this duration (for example the ITT in France and Morocco) affects the legal treatment of the case and the compensation. Keep the original and make copies.
Documents to keep
- Every medical certificate, report, prescription and scan result.
- Receipts for medicines, consultations, physiotherapy, transport to appointments.
- Proof of lost income: payslips, sick-leave forms, cancelled work for freelancers.
- Photos of visible injuries, taken over several days as bruises change.
Keep a short diary
Each day or week, note your pain level, what you couldn’t do (work, sport, childcare, sleeping) and any new symptom. It takes two minutes and becomes very valuable when a doctor or an insurer assesses the impact of the accident months later.
Talking to the insurer
Declare the injuries to your insurer and, if the other driver was at fault, to theirs, with your certificates. Insurers may ask you to see their own doctor. You can usually be accompanied by your own doctor or adviser. Don’t accept a final settlement before your condition is “consolidated”, that is, stable: after that, it’s usually impossible to claim for complications.
When to get legal advice
For serious injuries, lasting effects, or if responsibility is disputed, a lawyer or a victims’ association can help you value your claim. Our /blog/how-to-file-a-car-insurance-claim/ guide covers the claim itself. Chameleon AI keeps your photos, notes and documents per incident and can build a timeline you can share with a professional.
Frequently asked questions
What if I only felt pain days after the accident?
See a doctor as soon as the pain appears and explain that it started after the accident. Delayed symptoms are common, especially for neck and back injuries, but a quick consultation keeps the link clear.
Do I need a police report for an injury claim?
In many countries, an accident with injuries must be reported to the police, and the report is part of the file. Check the local rule; when someone is hurt, calling the police is usually the right choice.
Can I claim for psychological effects?
Often yes: anxiety, sleep problems or fear of driving after an accident can be part of the damage. Mention them to your doctor so they’re documented.
General information to help you get organised, not legal advice. Procedures and numbers can change: confirm them with the office concerned, and in danger call your local emergency number first.
