Should a Car Accident Victim Always Go to the Emergency Room (ER)?

Before we discuss emergency room options for auto accident victims, it is important to know that Boulton Law Group does not manage our clients’ medical care. We strongly encourage all accident victims to follow a licensed doctor’s instructions with regard to their health and ongoing treatment.

With this in mind, it is ultimately up to an accident victim whether or not they choose to been seen by an emergency room doctor. In many instances, a person may believe they only suffered minor injuries that don’t require an emergency room visit, however, our experience has taught us that even minor bumps and bruises can escalate to greater pains and long-term consequences if left untreated.

Additionally, depending on the severity of a person’s injuries, emergency personnel, e.g., firefighters, EMT’s, etc., may take you directly to an emergency room if they believe your injuries to be severe or life-threatening.

In short, you are not required to go to an emergency room for your injuries, however, it is never a bad idea to be checked out and cleared by a doctor.

When to go to an emergency room

While Boulton Law Group does not manage medical care, we always think it is a wise decision to be seen at an emergency room if you have suffered injury, or in the event you find yourself in one of the following scenarios:

No Health Insurance – If you have been involved in a car accident and are without health insurance, visiting an emergency room might be the easiest way to be seen by a doctor and have your injuries properly diagnosed.

Many people worry that because they are without health insurance, they may not be able to be seen at the emergency room. This is untrue.

You will not be refused at an emergency room if you have suffered injuries in a car accident. Also, assuming the accident was not your fault, the other party’s insurance should ultimately cover any emergency expenses incurred as a result of the accident.

Location – A number of our clients were involved in accidents that occurred while they were traveling out of state for work or vacation. If you are involved in a similar accident, it is probably a good idea to be seen at the nearest emergency room versus waiting to return home and be seen by your family doctor.

Unsure of injuries – Anytime a person is unsure how badly they’ve been injured, it is always best to err on the side of caution. As discussed above, seemingly small injuries can easily be masked by adrenaline, leading you to believe you are alright when in fact you are not.

Taking an Ambulance to the emergency room

Many accident victims are unaware of their rights with regard to ambulance services. In short, you have the right to choose whether or not you take an ambulance to the emergency room, even if one is called on your behalf and is at the scene of the accident.

Of course, if your injuries are severe, or you are unconscious, the decision of whether or not you are taken to an emergency room by ambulance may be made on your behalf by first responders.

Ambulance bills – Concern about the cost of an ambulance ride should never dictate whether or not you make use of its ability to provide immediate medical care and an expedited trip to the emergency room.

Again, assuming the accident was not your fault, the other party’s insurance should ultimately be held liable for the ambulance bill and any associated costs.

The cost of an ambulance transport can vary greatly depending on the services rendered during the ride as well as the particular contracts and specific ambulance company that responds to your accident. (Ambulances can be owned and operated by a number of different parties, such as a hospital, private company, local fire department, etc.)

Additionally, location also plays a role in the cost of an ambulance ride. For example, the 2019 Noblesville Fire Department Fee Schedule lists initial rates from as low as $531.00 to $1,013.00, depending on factors such as whether or not you are a resident of Noblesville.

Can not going to the emergency room backfire?

Some accident victims believe if they do not go to an emergency room, it could have terrible consequences for a potential personal injury claim. This is not necessarily true.

First, emergency room visits should not be viewed as a “strategy.” Instead, emergency rooms should be taken advantage of when your accident has left you with any uncertainty about the extent of your injuries.

With this in mind, it is important to understand that an emergency room visit is one of many pieces that are considered by the insurance company in a personal injury claim.

A large number of Boulton Law Group’s existing clients were not seen at an emergency room immediately following their accident, however, as the adrenaline wore off and the severity of their injuries began to reveal themselves, they sought treatment from their family doctor and/or a number of other medical professionals, such as physical therapists, neurologists, etc.

As long as accident victims keep scheduled doctor’s appointments and follow their doctor or therapists instructions, then they should not be overly concerned with not having visited the emergency room.

Talk to an experienced Indianapolis car accident attorney

Attorney Matt Boulton has been helping Indiana accident victims for more than 20 years. He is an award-winning personal injury lawyer that is highly sought after for legal advice and representation against the insurance company.

If you have been injured in an accident and have questions about your emergency room visit or any other aspect of your potential accident claim, Boulton Law Group offers a Zero Fee Guarantee.

Our Zero Fee Guarantee means that you will never be charged a consultation fee and you owe us nothing until we win your case. This helps to ensure that all Indiana accident victims have access to quality legal representation.

To speak to attorney Boulton direct, dial 317-350-2680, or write to us using our confidential contact form.