When an accident has occurred, it is not unusual for you or your passengers to feel slightly embarrassed. Being stopped on the side of the road while strangers drive by staring at the spectacle is overwhelming even if you are not the party at fault. In your hurry to get away from prying eyes it is natural to want to refuse an ambulance ride and instead wait for a friend, family member, or tow truck driver to drive you away from the scene of the accident. However, this decision can be a huge mistake that not only affects your ability to obtain a fair settlement but can also cause you lasting physical harm. Knowing why you should take an ambulance to the hospital after an accident will help you understand why the spectacle of an ambulance drive may be necessary.
Taking an ambulance to the hospital helps you document that an accident occurred and that someone was harmed because of that accident. Typically, people rely on the police report when filing an accident claim, but police reports usually only document that the accident occurred and if any citations were given. Police reports give limited information about injuries beyond whether or not an ambulance responded to the scene. Taking an ambulance shows that you were injured enough to require emergency transportation to the nearest hospital.
Not all injuries are immediately obvious, and in the rush of adrenaline that occurs during an accident, you may not notice any pain right away. Calling an ambulance means that a trained professional will assess you and everyone else who was in your vehicle to make sure no one was seriously injured as a result of the accident. It is possible that you have overlooked an injury, and being treated by paramedics could ensure that the damage is recognized and treatment is started.
Depending on the type of accident that occurred and its overall severity, it is possible that you could be walking around with a moderate to severe injury that was caused by your car accident. Going to a doctor immediately by ambulance helps you avoid hurting yourself even more without meaning to. The average sprain or injury caused by a slip and fall or car accident could take 24 to 72 hours to become apparent. Going to a hospital and having an x-ray, MRI, or CTSCAN can help your treating physician identify any tears or breaks so that they can be treated reducing your risk of causing major harm to yourself by continuing your everyday activities without a cast or brace.
If you are unsure of whether or not your accident is serious enough to require an ambulance, contact a qualified personal injury attorney before making any final decision. Morris Law is able to discuss your situation with you and provide you with the legal advice you need when making any major treatment decisions. If you or someone close to you is in a car accident, call our Greenville office today to schedule an initial consultation so that we can begin providing you the assistance you need.
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