If I was just involved in auto accident but am afraid to go to emergency room because I has opiates in my system, what should I do?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If I was just involved in auto accident but am afraid to go to emergency room because I has opiates in my system, what should I do?
Asked on June 19, 2014 under Accident Law, Kentucky
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
You need to put your health first: if you suspect that you have a potentially life threatening condition (e.g. a concussion--which can be lethal--or internal bleeding) or possibly debilitating or disabling injury (injured disc, injured joint, etc.), you have to get it taken care of first, then worry about legal liability. Doctor-patient confidentiality and the confidentiality of medical records will provide considerable protection--the physician(s) can't simply call the police with whatever they find, unless there is reason to believe you pose a threat to self or others, or some other exigent circumstance exists--but it is true that you could end up facing legal liability. However, that is less serious than potentially dying or facing lifetime disability.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.