Frequently asked questions

The tissue's inflammatory response builds over hours, so pain and stiffness commonly peak 24 to 72 hours after the event. The Quebec Task Force documented this delayed pattern as a defining feature of whiplash-associated disorders. Delayed onset file →

The common name for the neck injury pattern from rapid acceleration-deceleration: the torso accelerates with the seat, the head lags, then whips through extension and flexion. Clinically it is classified as WAD grades 0 through IV by the Quebec Task Force. Whiplash file →

WAD 0: no neck complaint, no signs. WAD I: neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness only. WAD II: neck complaint plus musculoskeletal signs such as decreased range of motion. WAD III: neck complaint plus neurological signs. WAD IV: neck complaint plus fracture or dislocation. The grade is set by findings, not by vehicle damage. Whiplash file →

In order: safety first (move to safety if possible, call 911 for injuries), then evidence. Exchange driver, registration, and insurance information; photograph the vehicles from all four corners, the damage, and the scene before anything moves. Documentation file →

Yes, in most injury crashes: Vehicle Code §20008 requires a written SR-1 report to the DMV within 10 days when the collision involves injury, death, or property damage above the statutory threshold. The SR-1 is separate from the police report. Documentation file →

Two years from the date of injury for personal-injury lawsuits (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Narrow exceptions exist; applying them to a specific case is a licensed attorney's job. Claims file →

For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 (SB 1107): $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage. Older policies may still carry 15/30/5 until renewal. Claims file →

That decision belongs to the clinician evaluating you: X-ray is the usual first study, CT adds cross-sectional detail, and MRI images soft tissue without radiation. A normal study does not mean no injury — the WAD grades are clinical. Imaging file →

It is a range, not a promise. AAOS reports most neck sprain and strain symptoms resolve in 4 to 6 weeks, and the Quebec Task Force cohort showed a median recovery of 32 days with a minority still symptomatic at six months. Severity, treatment, and activity all move the range. Timelines file →

That depends on the claim structure: the at-fault driver's liability policy pays after fault and damages are established; your own medical payments coverage (if carried) may pay along the way; UM/UIM coverage steps in when the at-fault driver has no or insufficient coverage. Claims file →

Normal imaging rules out fracture and gross structural damage; it does not measure pain, stiffness, or spasm. The WAD grades are clinical, so the exam findings and your dated symptom record carry the weight. Imaging file →

Through public channels: dial 2-1-1 (211 San Diego, free and 24 hours), the County Health and Human Services Agency listings, the federal Find a Health Center directory, and coverage through Covered California or Medi-Cal. This desk endorses no specific provider. Providers file →