Posted in Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on June 1, 2016
Memorial Day Weekend Means More LifeFlight Emergency Calls
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the unofficial beginning of summer, and it’s also a time known as “Trauma Season” for LifeFlight pilots and paramedics in Middle Tennessee.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the air ambulance service expects to have transported around 40 injured people over the weekend.
The increased number of calls and injuries is due to more people driving and engaging in outdoor activities and enjoying the warm weather. Activities like boating, riding motorcycles, and driving all-terrain vehicles all rank high on the list for recreational fun that can quickly turn dangerous and even deadly.
A total of six auto accident-related fatalities have already been reported in Middle Tennessee since Friday. A paramedic with LifeFlight says drivers should always monitor their speed, use their seat belts, and wear helmets when riding motorcycles and ATVs in order to reduce their risks of injury and death.
In addition, he also said that drivers and people who use recreational vehicles should avoid consuming alcohol or taking substances that can interfere with their ability to drive safely.
The National Safety Council estimates that around 440 Americans will lose their lives over Memorial Day Weekend due to auto accidents.
What Should You Do after an Injury-Causing Auto Accident?
Being involved in an auto accident that results in injuries can be a terrifying and confusing experience—especially if you’ve never been involved in a car crash. All car accidents require that drivers contact police and remain at the accident scene, but accidents involving injuries—especially serious and life-threatening injuries—often require immediate responses from people who were involved in the crashes in order to protect their health and the health of other victims.
If you’re involved in an auto accident that causes you or someone you love to suffer injuries, do your best to follow these steps:
Accidents can cause vehicles to end up in dangerous locations on highways and interstates. If your vehicle is in the path of traffic or is in a location that could put you at risk of being involved in a secondary accident after a collision, try to move it if the vehicle is still operational.
Immediately after the accident, assess your own health and the health of your passengers. If anyone is unconscious or complaining of head and neck pain, never physically move them or even your vehicle. Doing so can put them at risk of suffering more serious injuries, including damage to the spinal cord that can result in paralysis.
Even if you are trained in first aid—or if you don’t think anyone in your vehicle or other vehicles was seriously injured—you should call 911 as soon as possible to both report the accident and to get paramedics to the scene. When speaking with the 911 dispatcher, tell him or her about the conditions of all the accident victims. Emergency responders can perform quick health assessments on you and other accident victims to determine the extent of your injuries and whether you may need additional treatment at a hospital.
As soon as you’re able to do so, begin documenting any medical treatments you or your loved ones receive after the accident. In addition, keep copies of all medical bills related to injuries you suffered during the accident. Staying on top of your medical treatment can help improve your prognosis and recovery time and can also serve as valuable evidence if you file an injury claim.
After an auto accident, there’s no greater priority than making sure you and your loved ones get the medical treatment and attention you need. However, many accident victims face expensive medical bills for hospitalizations, surgeries, prescription medications, physical rehabilitation, and more. Those bills may be difficult or even impossible to pay—especially when the accident causes disabilities that lead to extended time away from work.
Our Nashville auto accident attorneys understand the difficulties that victims like you experience after car crashes, and we’ll do everything in our power to help you during this time. Dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free initial consultation form to speak with our legal team today.
