You should take an ambulance after a car accident if there is the slightest chance you could have a serious injury. If you elect not to take an ambulance, you should get checked by a doctor as soon as possible after the crash — even if you feel fine and have no apparent injuries. By getting a medical exam, you not only protect your health, but you may also strengthen your legal claim against the other driver.
Attorney Jim Parrish and The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC help car accident victims in Virginia recover the damages they deserve. We take on the responsible driver and the insurance company, holding them accountable for the injuries and other losses you sustained.
For a free consultation, call us today at 571-229-1800.
When to Take an Ambulance After a Car Accident
If you have or think you might have severe injuries after a car accident, your priority should be to get the medical attention you need as quickly as possible. Everything else you might consider doing after a crash (e.g., taking pictures, exchanging insurance information with the other driver) is secondary.
If an ambulance arrives on the scene right away, you should request immediate transport to the hospital. Otherwise, if you are able to use your phone, call 911 and tell them you have been in a car accident and need medical attention.
What if you are not sure if you have a severe injury? It is better to err on the side of caution. That is, if you may or may not be seriously injured, assume that you are until a doctor confirms otherwise. Since you are operating under the assumption that you are seriously hurt, you should take an ambulance in this situation.
If You Decide Not to Take an Ambulance
If you decide not to take an ambulance after a car accident, you should seek medical care on your own as soon as possible after the crash. There are several reasons for this. Getting a medical exam immediately after a car accident (preferably the same day) helps you do the following:
- Identify any injuries you may have
- Treat your injuries right away
- Improve your health outcome
- Strengthen your legal claim
Identify Injuries
Not all injuries are apparent the minute you suffer them. Some injuries, especially soft tissue or internal injuries, take days or even weeks to manifest in symptoms. All the while, the damage could be worsening inside your body, becoming more difficult to treat when you do discover it.
In a stressful situation like a car accident, your adrenal glands release huge amounts of hormones. These hormones help you deal with pain and stress — but they can also mask potential injuries. You could have a severe injury and not be able to feel it because of the adrenaline surging through your body.
A medical exam can help you identify injuries and treat them before they get worse.
Treat Your Injuries Right Away
With many injuries, your prognosis for recovery depends on how quickly you receive treatment. If you let an injury fester for days or weeks, it can become difficult to treat.
By getting a medical exam, you can get treated right away for any injuries you may have, allowing you to recover faster and with less pain.
Improve Health Outcomes
When it comes to car accident injuries, early intervention and positive health outcomes go hand-in-hand. This is particularly the case with head and spinal injuries, both of which can be more serious than they seem at first.
Make it a point to get medical care the same day of your accident. It takes an hour or two of your time and could save you a lot of pain and inconvenience down the road.
Strengthen Your Legal Claim
The sooner after a car accident you receive medical care, the easier it is to link the accident to any injuries you have. With a gap of days or weeks between the crash and your injury diagnosis, it becomes much easier for the at-fault driver, their insurer, and their lawyer to raise doubt over whether the accident caused your injuries.
If you seek medical care straightaway, the other side will find it difficult to insinuate that your injuries resulted from something else.
Call 571-229-1800 Today for a Free Case Evaluation
A car accident lawyer from The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC can help you recover damages after a crash in Virginia. We offer a free case evaluation and can get started on your case right away. Call our office today at 571-229-1800. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless or until we win your case.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form