Can the Police Deny Your Request for an Ambulance during a Car Accident?

The quick answer is that the police cannot deny your request for an ambulance if you genuinely need one during a car accident. However, there are specific circumstances where they might choose not to call for one, though this is often to avoid legal trouble rather than a genuine medical necessity.

Police Policies and Legal Considerations

During a car accident, the primary responsibility of law enforcement is to ensure public safety and ensure proper medical care for any individuals who are injured or show signs of distress. In most cases, the police will ask if you need an ambulance multiple times and will take precautions to ensure that individuals receive the necessary medical attention.

Clear Legal Implications

If someone is clearly not injured but is attempting to use the ambulance as a means to avoid legal consequences, such as a DUI (Driving Under the Influence), the police may refuse or discourage the use of the ambulance. However, this is not based on a lack of medical need but rather on the legal situation.

For instance, a driver arrested for a DUI might try to get an ambulance to avoid going to jail. However, the police will remind them that they will still need to take a blood test to determine the alcohol level in their system. Therefore, the option is not between having the ambulance or going to jail, but rather between being monitored in a hospital setting and being monitored in a police station.

Police Obligation to Call for Ambulances

Policing guides state that their primary consideration is whether there is a medical need for an ambulance. If a driver denies medical care and refuses an ambulance, the police can face legal repercussions if they do not ensure medical attention is provided. Law enforcement officials have been known to cite cases where drivers tried to exit dangerous situations by refusing medical assistance, thereby jeopardizing both their own safety and that of others.

Case Studies

One notable example occurred where a driver knew the blood test results would be adverse and tried to refuse the ambulance. The police, while respecting the decision to some extent, still insisted on a blood draw for legal purposes. They explained to the driver that they could choose to be in handcuffs and transported to jail or to a hospital bed. This situation often led to the driver choosing the more comfortable option of the medical bed, as being restrained or in jail can be more distressing.

Typical Police Behavior

Police usually go out of their way to make sure that anyone who claims to need an ambulance actually receives one. Multiple prompts and follow-ups are common, ensuring that individuals are provided with medical attention if needed. This approach is mostly to prevent potential legal issues and to maintain a standard of care that protects public safety.

Long-Term Implications

The financially responsible party will be billed for the ambulance services. They may then seek reimbursement from the responsible party if they are determined to be at fault. Legal measures can be taken if there is a dispute over liability. Thus, even if an ambulance is called, the medical expenses will likely be a topic of discussion in court.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the police have the authority to decide whether an ambulance is truly needed, they generally take steps to ensure that medical assistance is provided, especially during car accidents. The decision to call for an ambulance is primarily based on the actual medical requirements of the individuals involved.

The key takeaway is that the police will prioritize medical interventions over other matters, provided that those interventions are genuinely necessary.