So, you don’t want to take the ambulance after your Virginia car accident?

One scenario I see all too often is a client (or potential client) is involved in a Virginia car accident.  And after the accident, while still on the scene, emergency responders recommend that the injured client take an ambulance to the ER to get checked out.  Often times, that client will refuse transport because they are worried about the costs.  Only days, weeks or months later, after their accident symptoms have persisted do they seek medical attention.

Take that ambulance!

Look, I get it, medical care is expensive.  And you’re worried about the cost of the ambulance (typically, here in Virginia anywhere from $400 to $800).  Of course, you’re worried about the ER costs (the costs can vary widely depending on where you’re taken and the injuries you sustained – anywhere from $2,500 to $7,000 or more).  Health care costs are extremely expensive and providers are not transparent about their pricing.

However, I can tell you that no one ever considers the cost of not getting better.  Indeed, far too often, many of my clients or potential clients were seen only after they simply couldn’t take it anymore.  By then, they’ve suffered days if not weeks or months of pain and likely lost income because their pain prevented them from working at full capacity. 

What’s more, the chances of not fully recovering are increased when you don’t seek out immediate care. What may have been an acute injury could turn into a chronic one because you tried to tough it out.

Yes, the ambulance is expensive.  But the most valuable asset you own is you.

Use your health insurance.

One thing people often overlook is if they have health insurance, that coverage should offset part, if not all, of the cost of emergency treatment. So, if you’re lucky enough to have health insurance, use it!  Just make sure that the medical providers know you have health insurance, and you provide them your health insurance information.

If you don’t have health insurance, you can try to recoup it in your case.

Unfortunately, a large segment of our population here in Virginia are uninsured.  While indeed the cost of medical care will be taxing, you can try to recoup the costs in your personal injury claim if you were injured in a car accident due to another person’s negligence.  S

Getting treated kills two birds with one stone.

In addition to maximizing your chances of making a full recovery, getting treated early on will help establish your injuries for your car accident claim. And if you don’t get immediately treated, the car insurance companies will try to claim that you weren’t really badly injured because “if you were, you would have gotten treated sooner.”

Of course, I’m not your mom.

I get it, you may read this and not be convinced. I can’t force you to take that ambulance.  I just hope this article got you thinking a bit more broadly about the true cost of medical care and not seeking medical care.

More questions?

James Abrenio is an award winning Fairfax Personal Injury & Criminal Defense attorney.  Abrenio Law handles cases throughout Northern Virginia.  If you have additional questions, reach out to as at Ph. 703-570-4180 for your Free Consultation.  You can also email James directly at james@abreniolaw.com