Taking a ride in an ambulance is not something you think much about until you have been injured. If your injuries are serious enough, you will not have a say in the matter, and an ambulance will take you to the emergency room.
Sometimes people will avoid taking ambulance rides because of the cost, but you do not have to avoid taking a ride in one. It might be smart to weigh your options. Even if your injuries do not immediately appear to be severe, you could still be seriously injured, and taking an ambulance may still be a good idea.
When is Taking an Ambulance Ride Necessary?
As we mentioned, there are some times when taking an ambulance ride is out of your control. If you are unconscious, have suspected neck or head injuries, or have severe cuts and lacerations, the EMT on the scene will make that decision for you. However, it might be in your best interest to take an ambulance to the hospital if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Loss of any senses, including hearing or sight
- Bleeding from any wounds
- A pounding headache
- Suspected broken bones
Another very valid reason to take an ambulance ride is that you simply do not feel safe or comfortable driving after being in a car accident. While you might feel stable and not severely injured, you should not feel pressured to drive yourself to the hospital to see a doctor who can assess the extent of your injuries.
Driving yourself to the hospital after a wreck can be extremely dangerous to yourself and the other drivers on the road.
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Who Covers the Bills From an Ambulance Ride?
Ambulance rides have a reputation as being expensive. The ride to the hospital can be just as expensive, if not more, than the time you spend in a hospital—especially if you require helicopter transport. Some health insurance companies will cover the helicopter ride, but not the mileage, leaving you with a large bill.
This cost should not scare you from getting the help you need. If you did not cause the accident, you are not responsible for paying this bill, as well as your other medical bills.
The person who is liable for causing the car accident will be liable for your ambulance bill; it is one of the recoverable Ohio car accident damages after an accident.
If an Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
There are cases when insurance companies will try to deny claims because they do not believe that an ambulance ride was needed at the time of the crash. Having a car injury lawyer with our firm on your side can help you prove that you made the right decision by taking an ambulance to the hospital.
In most cases, just feeling unstable or unsure about your ability to drive is more than enough reason to take an ambulance to the hospital. Bressman Law can get to work to prove that taking an ambulance to the emergency room after a wreck was completely necessary and that the insurance company has to pay the bill.
When to File a Lawsuit for a Car Accident
If you and the other party cannot agree on a settlement amount, or they deny your claim, your lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10 generally permits two years for you to take legal action.
If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit. ORC §2125.02 follows the same two-year time restriction.
Should you not file your lawsuit before the deadline expires, the courts will prohibit you from taking any legal action.
When Does the Ambulance Bill Need to Be Paid?
When you are waiting for the responsible party’s insurance to pay the medical bill, you do not need to ignore any bills you get. Once a bill comes in for the ambulance ride, the first thing you should do is make copies of the bills and call the company that issued the bill.
By letting them know you are awaiting a settlement or claim from the insurance company, you can buy some time before the bill is reflected negatively and goes into collections—something you do not need to deal with after a car accident.
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Other Damages You Can Claim After a Car Accident
You are not just limited to recovering your ambulance bill and other medical expenses following a car accident. You could also qualify for:
- Lost wages if you can’t return to work right away
- Lost earning potential if you have to take a lower-paying job or can’t work again
- Pain and suffering if you’re in too much pain to go about your regular routine
- Mental anguish if your injuries negatively affect your mental health
- Wrongful death damages to cover your late loved one’s memorial service and your own pain and suffering
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How Can Bressman Law Help You After Taking an Ambulance to the Hospital?
After you have been in a car accident and took a ride to the hospital, you might need help holding the liable party responsible. This transportation cost is one of the bills you face as a car accident victim, and it often ends up being a difficult one to get covered.
At Bressman Law, we will investigate your claim to determine who is liable for the accident and responsible for the ambulance bill and your other damages. Call to learn how our personal injury lawyers can help you today. The first consultation is free. Because we work on a contingency-fee-basis, you don’t owe anything upfront for our services.
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