If you have been in a truck collision in Hollywood or anywhere in South Florida, the last thing you want to worry about is medical malpractice. You deserve and expect the best quality medical treatment to help you deal with head injuries, fractures, and any other serious injuries you may have suffered in your roadway collision. Unfortunately, the very nature of a serious truck accident can sometimes lead to mistakes and negligence in the emergency room.
After a serious truck accident or multiple vehicle crash in Hollywood or South Florida, multiple injured parties may be rushed to local emergency rooms. These emergency rooms are designed to swing into action immediately to help you and others who have been seriously injured. However, a serious truck accident or highway accident can stretch the resources available in an emergency department. This is especially the case if your truck accident occurred on the weekend or late in the evening, when hospital staff are at a minimum.
Some people who have been seriously injured in a highway or roadway accident find themselves facing additional complications and injuries due to mistakes made in the emergency room. Being incorrectly diagnosed or getting the wrong treatment can cause life-threatening or severe injuries. For example, emergency room mistakes conclude:
- Misdiagnoses
- Sending a patient home when they have suffered a life threatening injury
- Incorrect medication
- Incorrect treatment
- Not ordering the correct tests
- Wrong dosages of medication
The hustle and hurry of an emergency room can make mistakes more likely. However, if you have been in a trucking accident, there are a few things that you can do to reduce your chances of being injured due to medical complications and mistakes:
1) Share information about your medical condition.
As soon as emergency responders reach you, tell them about any serious allergies, medications you are on, or any serious medical conditions you have. This can help you get the correct treatment and can help you avoid complications.
2) Ask lots of questions and repeat information.
Do not be intimidated by the emergency room and be sure to ask any questions you have about your treatment, medication, and injuries. Do not assume that everyone in the emergency room has your most pertinent information. Each time that you’re approached by a new medical professional or doctor, make sure that you review the information with them, including any information about your allergies or serious medical conditions. If something seems not right or if you have concerns, be sure to speak up and ask for follow-up about the problem.
3) Have a friend or family member meet you at the emergency room.
It can be useful to have a friend or family member in the emergency room with you, especially if that person knows your medical history and any medical conditions you may have. A friend or family member can act as a voice for you if you’re too shaken up by the accident or too unwell to communicate effectively with medical staff. A friend or family member can also take down information about your injuries and any follow-up information you need to know once you are released.
4) Have a note in your wallet about your insurance information and medical information.
In a serious truck accident, you may lose consciousness or you may be so severely injured that you’re unable to communicate with emergency workers. In these cases, it is useful to have information about your medical conditions, any medication you are taking, and any serious allergies somewhere on your person. If you have a serious condition or allergy, you may wish to have an emergency bracelet that can help emergency responders access the information they need to know to keep you safe.
Have you been seriously injured? Contact Flaxman Law Group for a free case review. Our law firm is proud to work with plaintiffs across South Florida and we dedicate ourselves to being a powerful voice for those who have been injured.