Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED because you were in a motor vehicle crash. This can cause serious injuries like brain damage, broken bones, bleeding inside the body, or harm to the internal organs. Sometimes, the signs of a serious injury do not appear right away. You might also have minor injuries like cuts or bruises.
How long it will take for your injuries to heal is based on how seriously you were hurt. Most people feel very sore for a few days even after a minor crash.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Keep any wounds clean and dry for the first 24 hours. Then, you can gently wash the wounds with soap and water or take a shower.
•Always wash your hands before and after you touch the wound or bandage.
•Put an antibiotic ointment on the wound 1 to 2 times each day. You can cover the wound with a bandage. Or you can also leave it open to air.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●The doctor might have given you stronger pain medicines to take for a short time. Follow all instructions for taking them.
●Stay as active as you can. It is OK to rest for a day or so. After that, try to get up and move around a little each day.
●Ice and heat can help ease pain:
•Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over the painful parts. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use for the first 24 to 48 hours.
•Use heat after the first 48 hours or so, but not right away. Heat is most helpful for sore muscles. Do not use heat on areas with sharp pain. Heat can make swelling worse. If your doctor tells you it is OK to use heat, put a heating pad on your painful part for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on, since this can cause burns.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:
•Have sudden shortness of breath or sudden chest pain
•Have very bad belly pain, especially if it is worse when you try to get up or walk
•Have very bad pain in your chest, back, or head
•Feel like you might pass out when you sit up or stand
•Are very unsteady when you walk
•Are vomiting a lot
•Get confused or very sleepy, or cannot wake up
●Return to the ED if you have:
•A wound that opens up, and you can see muscle or other tissue below your skin
•A wound that is draining thick yellow, green, or bad-smelling discharge
•Weakness or numbness in your arms or legs
•Blood in your urine or bowel movements
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you have:
●A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Pain that does not get better after taking pain medicine
●A wound that is not healing
●A headache or stiff neck that does not get better in 2 to 3 days
●New or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Taking care of cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking care of bruises (The Basics)
Patient education: Whiplash (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures in adults (The Basics)
