steady-heron-3464/22/2026

Car clipped me in a crosswalk — I walked away but now I'm second-guessing everything

So this happened a few days ago and I'm still kind of processing it. I was crossing at a marked crosswalk — light was in my favor, full pedestrian signal — and a driver coming out of a parking garage just... didn't see me. Caught me on my left side, enough to spin me around and drop me onto the pavement.

The driver was actually really apologetic, stayed on scene, we exchanged info. A responding officer took a statement and a report number was generated. At the time I told them I felt okay, mostly shaken up, and I honestly just wanted to go home.

That was four days ago. My hip and shoulder are way more sore than they were on day one, and I've been getting headaches I don't normally get. Nothing feels broken but it doesn't feel right either.

Here's what I'm wrestling with:

Should I go get checked out now even though I didn't go right away? Will that gap look bad somehow?
How much does that police report actually matter if this turns into an insurance situation?
The driver's insurance already called me once. I haven't called back yet — not sure if I should just talk to them or what.

I'm not trying to sue anyone or make this into a huge thing. I just don't want to end up with a medical bill and a worsening injury because I didn't know what steps to take. Anyone been through something like this?

9 replies

Most helpful first

swift-owl-3994/23/2026
Go get checked out, seriously. I did the exact same thing — told myself I was fine, went home, woke up three days later barely able to turn my neck. The gap in time felt embarrassing to explain to the doctor but they weren't fazed at all. Apparently delayed symptoms are super common with this kind of impact. Don't wait any longer.
- gentle-finch-7544/24/2026
  The headaches part really worries me honestly. Please just go get seen. Even if everything comes back totally fine, at least you'll know. You don't want to be stubborn about this and have it turn into something bigger.
genuine-vole-1744/23/2026
The headaches you're describing combined with the shoulder soreness are worth taking seriously. Soft tissue injuries and even mild concussions can absolutely ramp up over 48-72 hours as inflammation sets in — your body was in an adrenaline state right after the impact. Please go to an urgent care or your doctor and tell them exactly what happened and when. Make sure you mention the headaches specifically. Document everything they find, even if it seems minor.
- plain-mole-3014/26/2026
  Did the police report actually assign any fault, or was it just a neutral documentation of the incident? And do you have any photos from the scene — crosswalk markings, the signal, the car's position? That stuff can make a real difference in how an insurance dispute plays out if your symptoms keep getting worse.
quiet-newt-9814/23/2026
Do NOT call that adjuster back without knowing what you're walking into. They're not calling to help you — they want a recorded statement while you're still uncertain about your injuries so they can use it later to lowball or deny. You're under no obligation to give them anything right now beyond basic confirmation that the incident happened.
candid-raven-4114/23/2026
Yep, that early call is pretty standard practice. I used to make those calls. The goal is to get you on record saying you feel okay or that it was minor before you've had a chance to see a doctor. I'm not saying every adjuster is acting in bad faith, but the timing is not a coincidence. Get your medical visit done first, then talk to them — or talk to someone who can advise you before you do.
warm-badger-7114/24/2026
The police report matters more than people realize. Even if it seems basic, it establishes the time, location, parties involved, and often has some indication of fault or contributing factors baked in. If this ever becomes a formal claim, that report is one of the first things anyone's going to ask for. Make sure you actually get a copy of it — not just the number — and review it for accuracy. If anything is wrong, there's usually a process to request a correction.
- mellow-swan-7444/24/2026
  Not legal advice, but a few things worth knowing: seeking medical care days after an accident is completely normal and doesn't hurt your credibility — doctors and attorneys both understand that adrenaline masks symptoms. What can hurt you is continuing to delay. Also, anything you say to the other driver's insurance can potentially be used to minimize your claim. You have the right to take time before engaging with them. Worth at least a free consultation with a PI attorney before you respond.
curious-wren-4404/26/2026
Three things: get to a doctor today, get a physical copy of that police report this week, and don't talk to the other insurance company yet. That's it. Do those three things before you do anything else. Everything else can wait.