Ambulance Rate Increase in Jefferson County – Should You Take One After an Accident?

Posted in Car Accidents on September 12, 2017.

Emergency medical transportation in an ambulance is a significant expense. In some areas, a single ambulance ride can cost hundreds of dollars. Legislators in Jefferson County, Alabama, recently increased the cost of ambulance rides in the area to account for increasing costs of ambulance services and more complex life-saving medical technologies.

How Much Does an Ambulance Ride Cost?

Ambulance rides are costly on their own, but those costs can increase by a large margin depending on the services and medications required by a passenger on the way to the hospital. The ambulance fee for a patient who requires advanced life support treatment is likely going to be much higher than another patient who only requires stabilization before reaching the hospital.

State and local lawmakers typically only increase ambulance rates when absolutely necessary. Local governments are not allowed to make a profit from ambulance fees, so it’s essential for lawmakers to apply fitting rates to cover the cost of operating the ambulances.

Do I Need an Ambulance?

An ambulance ride can cost upwards of $1000 in some areas of the country. Some people with certain medical conditions actually wear medical bracelets to prevent others from calling ambulances on their behalf. For example, a person who suffers from epilepsy may have confidence in his or her ability to handle a sudden seizure. To avoid the unnecessary expense of an ambulance ride, he or she may wear a bracelet instructing passersby who may think to call 911 to instead refrain from calling an ambulance.

It’s important to recognize that no matter how expensive an ambulance ride may be, it is not worth risking a life to save money. After a car accident or any injury-causing incident, the first responders on the scene will likely encourage those injured to take an ambulance to the hospital. If you’ve been in a car accident and suffered any serious injuries, feel too shaken or disoriented to drive yourself, or suffered any period of unconsciousness, taking an ambulance is the safer choice.

Some people have successfully driven themselves to the hospital after suffering injuries, but it is not worth the risk in many cases, especially if another driver caused the accident. In these situations, a Birmingham personal injury attorney is a tremendous asset to injured drivers.

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?

It’s essential to keep records of all of your medical expenses resulting from your injuries after suffering injuries in a car accident or any other situation caused by another person’s negligence. After you’ve handled your immediate medical concerns, a personal injury attorney can help you build a lawsuit against the person who caused your injuries. An ambulance ride can be a significant financial burden, so anyone who incurs an ambulance fee due to another party’s actions should take legal action to recover their losses.

After an accident, trust your instincts when it comes to taking an ambulance. If you are unsure of your ability to make it to a hospital on your own, err on the side of caution and take the ambulance. If another person caused the accident, you won’t have to worry about the cost as long as you hire a reliable, experienced personal injury attorney. If you risk driving while seriously injured, you could cause another accident on the way, injuring yourself further and putting others at risk.