By Eric A. Shore, Founding Attorney, Law Offices of Eric A. Shore

Eric A. Shore has represented injured people in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for over 30 years.

Last updated: October 2026 | Reading time: About 4 minutes Ǫuick Answer

Yes. If you told the police you were fine after a car accident but woke up the next morning with neck pain, back pain, or other symptoms, you may still have a personal injury claim.

Saying you weren’t hurt at the scene does not automatically prevent you from seeking compensation in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. You may not have realized you were injured until hours later.

Even if the police report says “no injuries reported,” that doesn’t necessarily mean you weren’t injured. What matters is whether the accident caused your injuries and what the evidence shows.

Is It Too Late to Report an Injury the Day After a Car Accident?

No. Discovering an injury the day after an accident does not automatically mean it’s too late to make a claim.

Imagine being rear ended on your way home. The police arrive and ask whether you’re hurt. You feel okay, so you tell the officer you’re fine. You drive home, have dinner, and go to bed.

The next morning, you wake up with a stiff neck, a sore back, or a headache. Now you’re worried because you already told the police you weren’t injured.

You didn’t necessarily make a mistake. You answered the officer based on how you felt at the time.

You can still report your symptoms, seek medical care, and pursue a claim if the circumstances support one. The fact that your pain started the next day doesn’t automatically disqualify you.

Why Did I Feel Fine After the Accident but Wake Up in Pain?

Some injuries don’t produce noticeable symptoms immediately. Pain, stiffness, and soreness may become apparent several hours later or the following morning.

After a collision, you may be focused on checking your vehicle, speaking with the police, and getting home. You might not notice discomfort until later.

That doesn’t mean every new ache was caused by the crash. But it does mean you shouldn’t dismiss symptoms simply because you felt fine at the accident scene.

If you develop new or worsening symptoms, get medical attention. A healthcare professional can evaluate your condition and determine whether additional testing or treatment is needed.

Can the Insurance Company Deny My Claim Because I Told the Police I Was Fine?

The insurance company may question your claim if the police report says you weren’t injured. An adjuster might argue that your symptoms developed later or came from something unrelated to the accident.

But the statement you made at the scene is not the only evidence that matters.

Your medical records, the nature of the collision, when your symptoms began, and your doctor’s findings may all help establish whether the accident caused your injuries.

In more than 30 years representing injured people, I’ve seen how insurance companies can focus on what someone said immediately after a crash. But feeling fine at the scene and discovering an injury the next morning aren’t necessarily inconsistent.

I would never assume someone lost their case simply because they told the police they felt fine.

What Should I Do If I Start Hurting the Next Day?

If you wake up in pain after a car accident, don’t ignore your symptoms just because you told the police you were okay.

Here are five practical steps:

1. Get medical attention promptly. Tell the doctor you were involved in a car accident and describe your symptoms. Severe headaches, confusion, weakness, or other serious symptoms may require emergency care.
2. Explain when the pain started. Be honest that you felt fine at the scene but began hurting later. Your medical records should reflect the actual timeline.
3. Document your symptoms. Write down when the pain began, where it hurts, and whether it affects your sleep, work, driving, or everyday activities.
4. Notify your insurance company as required. Report new injuries accurately and follow any applicable insurance notice requirements.
5. Don’t rush into a settlement. You may not know how serious your injuries are or how long recovery will take.

The goal isn’t to change what you told the police. It’s to make sure your medical records accurately reflect what happened afterward.

Do I Have to Correct the Police Report to Make an Injury Claim?

Usually, no. If you told the officer you felt fine, a report stating that no injuries were reported may accurately reflect what happened at the scene.

That doesn’t mean the report proves you were never injured.

Your medical records can document symptoms that appeared later. If the police report contains an actual factual error, you can contact the investigating department to ask about its correction or supplemental report procedures.

You generally don’t need a corrected police report simply because your symptoms developed the next day.

Can I Still File a Claim in Pennsylvania or New Jersey?

Yes, potentially. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey generally provide two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident, although exceptions and shorter deadlines can apply.

The fact that you didn’t notice pain until the following morning does not automatically eliminate your right to make a claim.

However, medical treatment, insurance notification requirements, and the evidence connecting your injuries to the accident can affect your case. Waiting unnecessarily may make it harder to establish what happened.

You should also understand that Pennsylvania and New Jersey have different automobile insurance rules that may affect available compensation.

Told the Police You Were Fine but Now You’re Hurting?

Don’t assume you’ve lost your right to compensation because you told the police you weren’t injured.

You may have been telling the truth when you said you felt fine. You simply didn’t know yet that you were hurt.

At the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore, we’ve helped injured people in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for over 30 years. We can review what happened, what you told the police, and whether you may have a personal injury claim.

Call 1-800-CANT-WORK or visit fi800CantWork.com for a free consultation.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Your rights, deadlines, and available compensation depend on the facts of your accident and applicable law.