Should I Go to the ER in an Ambulance After My Car Accident, Even If I’m Not in Pain?

By Rocky McElhaney | January 11, 2023

A lot happens very quickly during and after an accident. Simply being in a life-or-death situation is traumatizing enough, but combine that with possible injuries, thinking about the other people involved, wondering what to do next, the sirens of law enforcement vehicles ambulances ringing in your ears – and you are suddenly in a very chaotic, confusing, and pressurized situation. You may want to do the thing that will get you home (and out of this awful position) as quickly as possible, and who can blame you?

ER in an Ambulance After Car Accident

This may be especially tempting if you don’t feel any pain after your accident and assume that means you have no injuries, but don’t act hastily. You should be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible, and you may be suffering from injuries you don’t know about. Take advantage of the ambulance at the scene; after an accident is absolutely a time when you shouldn’t trust your judgment, whether that’s on your health or on whether you are safe to drive yourself home (if your car is still drivable). Insurance exists for a reason, and a personal injury attorney can ensure that your ride in the ambulance is taken care of.

When is taking an ambulance ride necessary?

You may think that you only need an ambulance if a bone is broken or you are bleeding profusely somewhere, but that is not the case. While there are times – such as when you are unconscious or severely injured – where you will be made to take an ambulance to the hospital, there are other times where the decision is yours. It may be in your best interest even if you are feeling very minor pain or even no pain at all. If you are just feeling scared, overwhelmed, or unsafe driving on your own, you should take an ambulance.

It is always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to your health and safety. You should consider an ambulance ride if you experience:

  • Dizziness
  • Blurry vision
  • Nausea
  • Issues with any senses
  • Bleeding from any injuries
  • A headache you didn’t have before the crash
  • If you think you may have a broken bone

There are several types of injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, that may not present any serious symptoms until days after the car accident, and if a doctor can address your head injury before it can become a real problem, that will save you from lots of pain and other complications.

Can’t I drive myself to the ER after a car accident?

Truthfully? You really shouldn’t. And you shouldn’t take an Uber or Lyft, either. The reason is because some injuries “hide” from us and having a trained medical professional with you in the immediate moments of a crash could make a huge difference.

When we’re involved in high-stress situations, the body has a way of making us believe that we aren’t feeling any pain, even in situations where we really should be feeling pain. This is an evolutionary development that humans have where – in life-threatening situations – our brain can mask the pain so that we can focus on making sure we stay alive. The brain doesn’t always know when we’ve left a life-or-death situation, and the pain may be absent for some time. This condition is known as stress-induced analgesia, and it is caused by the rush of adrenaline that is sent out during the crash. Hairline fractures and sprains are some of the injuries that can be masked by adrenaline. These fractures and sprains can be exacerbated if you continue to move and act as though you’re not injured.

It is also important that you make sure a medical professional or emergency technician checks you right away for signs of shock. While we often hear this term thrown around in movies and TV shows, seemingly used to describe someone who is simply stunned after a car accident or assault, shock is a real medical condition that can possibly cause serious health concerns and even death. Symptoms of shock can include the natural feelings and symptoms you experience after a traumatic situation, so it is important to be professionally checked over. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of shock include:

  • Cool, clammy skin
  • Pale or ashen skin
  • Bluish tinge to lips or fingernails (or gray in the case of dark complexions)
  • Rapid pulse
  • Rapid breathing
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Enlarged pupils
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Changes in mental status or behavior, such as anxiousness or agitation

If you start experiencing signs of shock while behind the wheel of someone’s car (assuming yours is wrecked), you could end up in another car accident, because you could pass out behind the wheel. If someone else is driving you and start to experience symptoms, you can’t be sure that driver will know what to do, either.

These are reasons enough to take advantage of an ambulance ride to the hospital. Worry about your health first before you worry about the cost. An experienced Nashville personal injury lawyer can worry about that for you.

Why you need a Nashville personal injury lawyer

We understand that ambulance rides are notoriously costly, and that is just considering ground transportation which can cost anywhere from $500-$1,000. Air ambulances can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. On top of that, ambulances also typically charge you around $30-$50 a mile. So, we understand that taking an ambulance, while the best thing you can do, is also a costly decision. That is where we come in.

At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers know exactly how to handle insurance company costs and hospital bills that come your way. We can accurately evaluate the value of your claim and seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company so that you obtain a settlement that can easily take care of the proper cost of your care, and give you every penny you deserve. You are entitled to damages for ALL of your medical bills, plus your lost wages and your pain and suffering. We fight to make sure you get it all.

Rocky McElhaney Law Firm fights for you and your future at every step. Our Nashville injury lawyers are here to help. To schedule a free consultation, call us or use our contact page. We proudly serve our community through our offices in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, and Clarksville.

Posted in Auto Accident