Although there is no specific law requiring a person to seek medical care within a certain time after a motor vehicle accident, it is best that a person seeks medical treatment right away. Ideally, a person should be treated on the day of the accident. A delay in treatment or failing to see a physician as soon as possible is a mistake for two reasons.
First, your health should be your first priority. It is common for a person following a motor vehicle accident to suffer with neck or back pain. Often people take an over-the-counter medication such as Advil, hoping the pain will simply go away on its own. However, a medical doctor, chiropractor or health care provider is trained to take a history, perform a full examination that may include X-rays or other diagnostic studies, and recommend a course of treatment if necessary. In this regard, you are always better off treating with a doctor to obtain an expert opinion as to the nature and extent of your injuries.
Second, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident to ensure that the insurance carrier does not discount your damages. If there is a large delay in treatment following an accident, often the insurance carrier takes the position that your injuries were not caused from the accident, simply because you did not seek treatment right away.