Many Americans are hesitant to call for an ambulance, even in dire situations. It’s not unusual for fear of medical bills to prevent someone from making a potentially life-saving call. With so much anxiety around this situation, we need to ask: When should you call an ambulance after a crash?

Blood or Bone?

Whether you’re a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, if you’re in a car crash, the first thing you should do is check yourself for injuries. If you see exposed bone, call 911 immediately. If you see blood, call 911 immediately.

A car accident typically imparts blunt force trauma, meaning internal injuries (such as broken bones and organ damage) are more likely. If you see blood or broken bones immediately after a crash, it could mean the internal damage is much worse, and the injured person should be immobilized and treated by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Pain?

Even if you don’t see blood or bone, you should be cautious. After an accident, slowly move your body and each of your joints. If you experience any pain, stop immediately. A dull pain could hint at muscle bruising or organ damage, but a sharp “twinge” is more likely to be a fracture.

The more you move, the worse these injuries could become. If it hurts to move, the best thing you can do is call an ambulance and receive professional attention before your injury worsens and you’re left with more pain and a longer recovery.

Did You Hit Your Head?

Finally, if you hit your head, you should call for an ambulance and have EMTs perform a concussion exam. This is especially important for pedestrians who were knocked onto the pavement. The force of impact combined with the fall creates a force multiplier effect that makes these accidents much more severe than the typical car crash.

The same applies to drivers. If a deploying airbag caused a bloody nose, there is a strong chance that you experienced a mild or moderate concussion. The sooner you are examined by a medical professional, the better your chances of preventing potentially life-threatening complications.

If you or someone you love were involved in a crash, you need affordable representation from a team you can trust. If you’d like an experienced New York City injury accident attorney from Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices to evaluate your case, don’t hesitate to call us at (718) 690-3132 or send us an email.