Even a minor car accident can leave behind more than just stress. Hidden injuries are common, and you may not feel pain until hours or days later. Whiplash, concussions, or internal issues often stay silent at first, which is why early medical evaluation matters.
Seeing a doctor within 24 to 72 hours gives you the best chance to identify internal or soft-tissue injuries early, when treatment is most effective. It also creates medical records that support any insurance or legal claims you may need.
During your visit, expect a thorough review of your health. Your doctor will examine you, may order imaging tests, and design a treatment plan to prevent long-term complications.
At Maywell Health, Dr. Brian Mayrsohn and his team provide world-class pain management and ongoing support at convenient NYC and Long Island locations. With expert care, you can recover safely while protecting both your health and your rights.
Why Immediate Medical Care Matters
After a car accident, it is common to feel scattered. The adrenaline masks pain, and you may walk away thinking you are fine. Yet hidden injuries are common. Whiplash, concussions, soft-tissue injuries, or internal bleeding can take hours or even days to show up. What feels like a little stiffness in your neck today may become chronic pain tomorrow without proper care. A prompt medical exam helps detect these problems early and gives you the chance to prevent complications before they grow worse.
Seeing a doctor quickly also protects you in another important way. A clear medical record links your injuries directly to the crash. This is essential if you need to file an insurance claim or pursue legal action, but more importantly, it ensures you receive the right treatment without delay. Waiting makes it harder to prove your injuries came from the accident, and it leaves you at risk of untreated pain.
At Maywell Health, we understand what it means to live with pain after an accident. Our team, led by Dr. Brian Mayrsohn, specializes in pain management and long-term recovery. If you are looking for a reliable doctor who will take your symptoms seriously and design a plan that fits your life, we are here to help. Even if you feel fine now, don’t wait. Early medical evaluation safeguards both your health and your future.
Ideal Timeline for Seeing a Doctor
The safest choice is to be evaluated the same day or within 24 to 72 hours of a car accident, even if you do not feel pain at first. Early evaluation is important because it allows your doctor to catch hidden injuries before they worsen. It also gives you the best chance at faster recovery. Whiplash, concussions, soft-tissue injuries, or even internal bleeding can stay quiet at first but become serious if left untreated.
There are times when you should not wait at all. Go to the emergency room right away if you have severe pain, heavy bleeding, or trouble breathing. Loss of consciousness, dizziness, confusion, vomiting, or vision changes are also red flags for head injury and require immediate attention.
For symptoms that feel mild or show up later, make an appointment with a pain management specialist or primary care doctor within the first few days. This visit provides a full exam, imaging if needed, and a clear plan for follow-up care. It also creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident. That documentation protects you if you need coverage, file an insurance claim, or pursue legal action.
The takeaway is simple. Whether your injuries feel urgent or not, being seen within 24 to 72 hours protects both your health and your rights.
What to Expect During the Medical Evaluation
When you come in for your first post-accident visit at Maywell Health, it starts with a detailed health and accident review. Dr. Brian Mayrsohn will ask you when and how the collision happened, what symptoms you feel now (like stiffness, dizziness, or headaches), and what changed since then. We’ll also talk about any past injuries, ongoing medical issues, or medications you take. All those details help us build a treatment plan that keeps you safe and supports healing.
Then we move into the physical examination. The specialist gently checks your movement, swelling, pain and may test reflexes. Depending on what you tell us, we look for signs of whiplash, soft-tissue injury, or concussion. For example, you might say your neck hurts when turning your head, or your shoulder feels tight and sore even after resting—that gives clues about what needs focus.
If symptoms suggest it, we order imaging or diagnostic tests. That could include X-rays or CT scans to catch fractures or internal bleeding, MRI scans to look deeper at soft tissues, discs, or nerves, or neurological tests when concussions are possible.
After everything is reviewed, you get a personalized treatment plan. It might involve targeted injections, physical therapy, or medication to reduce inflammation or relax muscles. We schedule follow-ups to see how you’re healing and to adjust care as needed.
Our team is warm, attentive, and here to guide you through each step. You will never feel rushed. These days, many patients who delay care after crashes report more prolonged pain and restricted motion. Early, thorough evaluation can make the difference between a quick recovery and months of discomfort.
Importance of Ongoing Monitoring
Even if your first exam shows no major injury, follow-up visits remain essential. Soft-tissue damage, nerve irritation, or post-traumatic headaches can appear days later. At Maywell Health, patients are encouraged to come back for regular check-ins, whether that is at our Manhattan office during the workweek or in Hauppauge if you live closer to Long Island. These visits let Dr. Brian Mayrsohn track your progress and adjust your care as needed, protecting you from setbacks.
Adjusting the Treatment Plan
Recovery often moves in steps. One week you may feel stronger, the next you may notice stiffness returning. Dr. Mayrsohn reviews your symptoms carefully and may recommend updating physical therapy, refining medications, or adding interventional procedures.
The goal is a custom treatment plan that reflects how your body heals over time. Patients who visit us in Astoria or Union Square appreciate knowing their care evolves with them rather than following a rigid formula.
Supporting Your Recovery at Home
Healing continues outside the clinic. Your doctor may suggest gentle stretches, home exercises, better sleep routines, and nutrition changes that lower inflammation. These strategies are explained clearly, whether you meet with us in Plainview or another Maywell Health location. With simple adjustments, you can keep building progress between appointments.
Why Choose Maywell Health
At Maywell Health, recovery is guided by Dr. Brian Mayrsohn, a nationally recognized pain medicine specialist. His training at Cornell University, the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Memorial Sloan Kettering ensures every plan is grounded in the strongest evidence. As an active leader in the American Academy of Pain Medicine, he brings patients access to cutting edge therapies that are shaping the future of care.
From hidden injuries after a crash to long-standing pain, our team provides comprehensive support across NYC and Long Island. Patients seen in Manhattan may receive imaging and advanced diagnostics, while those visiting Hauppauge or Astoria might focus on therapy coordination and lifestyle guidance. Wherever you are, the care is personal, precise, and centered on your recovery.
With expert leadership, custom treatment plans, and accessible offices throughout the region, Maywell Health is a trusted partner for safe and lasting healing after a car accident.
Take the First Step Toward Safe Recovery
Prompt medical care after a car accident can protect your health and your legal rights. Even if you feel fine, injuries such as whiplash, concussions, or soft-tissue damage often stay hidden for hours or days. Imagine leaving the scene with only a little soreness in your neck, only to wake up the next morning barely able to turn your head. That is how hidden injuries can quietly take hold and disrupt your life if they are not caught early.
At Maywell Health, Dr. Brian Mayrsohn and his team provide comprehensive post-accident evaluations and personalized pain management plans. Their whole-person approach ensures that hidden injuries are detected quickly and that you receive the care needed to heal fully, not just temporarily.
Do not wait for pain to appear. Schedule your appointment with Maywell Health today. You can book online or call us directly at (516) 200-4814. Taking action now means peace of mind, timely treatment, and a safer path toward full recovery and long-term well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do after a car accident in NYC?
Stay calm, call 911, exchange information, take photos, and seek medical care even if you feel fine.
What are delayed symptoms after a car accident?
Neck or back pain, headaches, dizziness, stiffness, numbness, or mood changes may signal whiplash, concussion, or soft-tissue injury.
How long after an injury should you see a doctor?
Ideally within 24–72 hours, even without pain, to support recovery and create medical documentation.
How long after an accident can you still make a claim?
In New York, file no-fault claims within 30 days and personal injury lawsuits within three years.
Do you need a police report to file an insurance claim in NY?
Yes. Most insurance companies require it as an official record of the accident.
When to worry after a car accident?
Seek care immediately for severe pain, persistent headaches, dizziness, vision changes, confusion, or numbness.
How do you tell if you have whiplash?
Watch for neck stiffness, headaches at the skull’s base, dizziness, or shoulder discomfort—sometimes delayed.
What does delayed shock feel like?
Fatigue, confusion, chills, rapid heartbeat, or emotional numbness may appear hours later and require medical attention.
