Safety is the first consideration, if you're on the highway it can be dangerous to leave the vehicle, move slowly making sure you are not seriously injured. Here are some suggestions to follow when involved in an accident:

• You should call police (911) immediately any time you are involved in an auto accident.
  
• Write down names, addresses, phone numbers, of everyone involved in accident and any witnesses.
  
• Write down description of the other vehicle involved as well as any specifics involved in the auto accident. It's a good idea to take pictures.
  
• It is not uncommon to feel alright at the time of the accident, only to feel the effects of the collision 1-4 hrs later after your body is over the initial adrenaline rush, and you start to settle down. Go to the emergency room or urgent care for a check-up.
  
• Start ice immediately, to reduce the soft tissue swelling in the neck and affected areas. This will save you weeks of treatment and minimize the pain and stiffness associated with soft tissue trauma.
  
• Schedule an appointment with our office hopefully within the first 48 hrs.

Auto accidents are serious and cause lifelong problems for people later in life. You might forget but your body does not, everyday I see on x-rays the degenerative changes caused by old whiplash injuries that happened 10-20 years ago. It's sad that these people will suffer with a bad neck for the rest of their life because they didn't take the time to restore proper alignment to their neck and spine. Which are you going to be?