After a California car accident, calling for immediate medical care is essential. However, you do not necessarily have to sit and wait for the ambulance and other emergency services to get there. Learn what to do if someone is seriously injured – both before and after emergency personnel get there. Remember that once everyone is safe, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney to find out what your options are.
What to Do While You Are Waiting for Emergency Services to Arrive
If someone is seriously injured and you are waiting for emergency services, the best thing to do is to keep them where they are unless it is unsafe to do so. For example, if they are in the middle of the street and cars are coming, or if they are in a vehicle that is on flames, then you should move them. Lie them down, elevate their legs and feet.
If they are not breathing or moving, start doing CPR. If they are breathing, loosen any tight clothes they are wearing and cover them up with a blanket or anything else you can find to keep them from being chilled. Do not allow them to eat or drink. If they are vomiting or bleeding from their mouth, turn them on their side to keep them from choking, unless you have reason to believe there is a spinal injury. A person who might have a spinal injury should not be moved unless it is necessary to save their life.
What to Do After the Emergency Services Arrive
Whoever arrives first, whether the police, EMTs, or firefighters, they will triage the victims to determine who needs help first. Do not refuse medical care at the scene. If any of the emergency services feel that you need to go to the hospital, you should go. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that you could have suffered an injury that you do not feel due to shock, and the fact that getting to the doctor creates a trail that is necessary if you need to file a personal injury claim in the future.
Take action to stay calm. Breath deeply. Count to ten. Follow any instructions you are given and stay out of the way of those who are trained to handle this situation. You might feel scared, angry, guilty, or something else – it is all normal. If it is safe to do so, gather contact information and other relevant evidence.
Car accidents are difficult situations to be in. The good news is that there are people trained to help you – including personal injury attorneys like Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas who know how to help you with the legal issues involved. Call us now at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation.
