What should I do after a car accident in Jacksonville, FL?
By Dr. Jeremiah Carlson, chiropractic physician · Jacksonville, FL · Reviewed Nov 2026
At the scene
- Move to safety if you can, and call 911 for injuries or blocked traffic.
- Exchange names, phone numbers, insurance, plates, and driver’s license info.
- Take photos of all vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries.
- Ask the officer for the report number and agency.
In the next 24–72 hours
- Call your auto insurer and open a PIP claim. Write down the claim number.
- Notice any new pain: neck, back, headaches, tingling, dizziness.
- Book an exam with a qualified provider. Don’t wait past day 14.
When your PIP benefits run out, we bill your health insurance, which keeps your out-of-pocket cost down. If you have an attorney, we can also work under a letter of protection.
Visiting Jacksonville, or is your auto insurance from another state? We see out-of-town visitors and drivers with out-of-state auto insurance who were hurt in a Jacksonville crash. Coverage depends on your policy, and we’ll help sort it out. We don’t claim which state’s rules apply to your coverage.
Imaging, referrals, and your care team
We have good working relationships with orthopedic and neurology groups in Jacksonville and refer when appropriate. An MRI is often an important step in identifying soft-tissue injury after a crash — discs, ligaments, and other tissues that an X-ray does not show. We don’t do imaging in our office. We coordinate it and work with all MRI facilities in Jacksonville. We don’t promise a particular finding or outcome.
We work with everyone involved in the case: patients, insurers, attorneys, and other providers. We work with all attorneys. Do I need an MRI after a car accident?
Within 14 days
Get your initial evaluation so PIP medical benefits stay available (s. 627.736(1)(a)). Use our 14-day calculator to find your deadline.
More questions
Should I go to the ER after a minor accident?
Go to the ER or call 911 for any emergency signs. For soreness without red flags, a prompt exam with a qualified provider within 14 days is important for Florida PIP.
Do I need to report a minor crash in Florida?
Reporting rules depend on injuries and damage. When in doubt, call law enforcement at the scene and ask.
Do you take my insurance?
We bill most major health insurance plans. When your PIP benefits run out, we bill your health insurance, which keeps your out-of-pocket cost down. Call or text 904-619-2703 to verify.
I was visiting, or my auto insurance is from another state. Can you still see me?
Yes. We see out-of-town visitors and drivers with out-of-state auto insurance who were hurt in a Jacksonville crash. Coverage depends on your policy, and we’ll help sort it out. We don’t claim which state’s rules apply to your coverage.
Were you in a crash in Jacksonville?
Take the 60-second check to see where you are on the 14-day clock and what to do next, or call our front desk.