Our Injury and Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Emergency medical responders, including paramedics are true heroes.  They respond to countless car accidents and other emergencies every day and provide lifesaving help to those in need.

When a car accident happens, 911 operators typically dispatch not only the police, but also EMS and sometimes the fire department, depending on the situation.  Oftentimes, EMS will ask the parties involved in the wreck if they would like to be transported to the hospital for further evaluation.  Should you accept the offer and be taken via ambulance to the hospital? 

Ambulance services may be run by for-profit private companies, such as Acadian Ambulance Service, or by the government, such as the City of New Orleans EMS.  An ambulance ride to a hospital, even a short distance away, can be expensive.  On average, ambulance bills can be anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 for one trip, depending on services rendered and mileage.  In cases of EMS air-lift services (helicopters), the bill can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. 

Injured But You Don't Know If An Ambulance Ride Is Necessarily

Of course, life-threatening injuries require EMS assistance and an ambulance ride.  But what if you are injured, but don’t necessarily have non-life-threatening injuries (for instance, you have neck, back, or head pain but not to the point of being disabled)? 

Keep in mind that EMS personnel are trained to mitigate injuries and prevent further injury (think neck immobilization and spine boards).  At the accident scene, it is likely that you will not be able to fully assess or appreciate the extent of your injuries.  Later, when the adrenaline begins to wear off, you may realize that you have more pain than you initially thought. 

When the ambulance bill comes, make sure they have your correct health insurance information and have billed the encounter appropriately.

In summary, err on the side of caution when deciding whether to take the ambulance to the hospital following a car wreck.  EMS workers are trained to help! 

Did You Have To Take An Ambulance To The Hospital Following A Car Wreck?

If you had to take an ambulance to the hospital following your car wreck contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.

Beware of an insurance company offering you a “quick settlement” following a car wreck.  This is the WORST TIME to settle your case.  Why?

First, adrenalin in your body is released during an accident and can often mask serious injuries for several days.  Never settle a car accident claim before you have fully recovered from your injuries or at least understand the extent of your injuries.  What may seem like a good offer a day after your wreck can look like pennies compared to how you feel a few days later.  

Second, in the days after an accident, you may not be thinking clearly, especially if you suffered a concussion or severe whiplash during the wreck.  Now is not the time to analyze a settlement offer.  

What happens if you accept an insurance company’s settlement offer?  In order to finalize the offer, the insurance company will send you a “release.”  This is a statement they want you to sign in order to give up any claims you may have in exchange for the settlement money.  By signing a release, you literally sign away your rights to ever bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party or their insurance company, even if a hidden injury pops up later.  

If you have received a settlement offer from an insurance company following a wreck and would like to review it with an attorney for free before you accept it!

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Car Accident?

If you've been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Car accidents can be complicated and sometimes, more than one person may be at fault for causing the wreck. In Louisiana, we have what’s known as “comparative fault.” This means that a person can recover for their personal injuries, even if they were partially responsible for causing the wreck.

For instance, if it is determined that someone is 50% responsible for causing a wreck, they can still collect 50% of their damages. Also, if the other person had the reasonable opportunity to avoid the wreck, but didn’t, you may still prevail in a personal injury claim, regardless of fault. In Louisiana, this is called the “last clear chance doctrine.” Many factors go into the success or failure of a personal injury case.

At Grady J. Flattmann, Attorneys at Law, we examine each of our clients’ cases from every angle.

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.