Emergency Extrication in an Auto Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer. Many individuals have been in a car accident themselves or at least know someone who has been in an accident. While many people come out of car accidents without a scratch, others could be particularly severe and might be accompanied by a host of other injuries. In some situations, the individual could be trapped in the car and might require emergent extrication. What is the proper way to free someone from a car and what considerations must be taken? A recent medical review discussed this very point.
How Does Someone Get Trapped in the Car?
When someone has been involved in an auto accident, there are many different parts of the car that could be impacted. Depending on the location of impact, someone could end up with traumatic injuries. Furthermore, the location of the impact could also determine whether or not someone is trapped in a car. In order to get out of the car, someone has to have the ability to open a door or crack a window to escape. If the impact of a car is on the crease between two doors and the other two doors are compressed against another obstacle, this could trap someone in the vehicle, potentially with catastrophic personal injuries. Furthermore, if an individual is not strong enough to break the car window (or doesn’t possess a car window breaker), he or she might be unable to escape. When this happens, it is important to call 911 and request emergency personnel to come to the scene to provide assistance. If someone has severe internal injuries, time is of the essence because failure to break the person out of the vehicle could lead to a wrongful death on the part of the at fault motorist. When personnel arrive to free a trapped person, what are some of the considerations that must be made?
Considerations to Keep in Mind: Extrication
When someone is being freed from a motor vehicle, there are several different considerations that both the individual and the emergency responder should keep in mind. The most important of these considerations is time. When someone is trapped in a car, they could have serious injuries that could lead to death if not treated. This could include internal bleeding, a cardiac injury, or a traumatic brain injury. Another consideration regarding time is that the vehicle could be leaking dangerous fluid, such as oil or gasoline. If this is not stopped, the vehicle could explode, leading to burn injuries or the death of everyone inside of the car. For this reason, it is important to try and free the individual as quickly as possible. On the other hand, responders also need to make sure that the equipment that they are using has been properly maintained. This is advanced and complicated machinery which does have the potential to malfunction. Therefore, emergency responders need to ensure that the equipment is safe for use because it could cause more harm than good if not.
Injuries that Might Result
When someone is being removed from a vehicle, there are a handful of injuries that might result during this process. It is important to think about where in the car the individual is located because it is possible to impinge upon their leg or arm while trying to save them from a trapped motor vehicle. If the jaws or emergency equipment catch someone’s limb, the force of the jaws could actually break their bones, leading to an additional medical problem that will need to be addressed. Furthermore, the jaws are loud, heavy, and can scare younger children or those with mental impairments. In addition to a serious accident, this type of incident can lead to someone developing PTSD. It is important to consider these factors when using the jaws of life. While the equipment can save someone’s life, it can also create additional medical and emotional problems that could impact someone’s quality of life down the road.
Help from an Attorney
When someone has been trapped in a car, they could be left in a significant amount of emotional distress as a result. It can take a while for memories and thoughts to return and this might take place in a hospital. All of these circumstances can come together to create a significant amount of stress that an individual and their family could find overwhelming. In this situation, it is important to remember to have people are around who are willing to offer a helping hand. Families should consider speaking with an experienced car accident attorney, someone who has the training and expertise to make sure that no detail is overlooked and no stone is left unturned. A experienced injury attorney can help families fill out paperwork, negotiate with insurance companies, and work out the logistical problems of a prolonged hospital stay. They can even investigate the circumstances of the accident, which could reveal more options that the family may not have even known about. Don’t be nervous about reaching out because someone is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer. Being trapped in a vehicle following an auto accident can be a scary situation. Those who have found themselves in this situation should call me for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free line (800) 404-5400.
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