An accident on Highway 395 and Wild Rose near Deer Park recently resulted in five people being injured, with four of these individuals being taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Fortunately, Washington State Patrol officers report that no one was killed in the accident. The accident fully blocked the north and southbound lanes of the highway near milepost 174.

The accident involved four vehicles, including a tractor. Law enforcement reports that two vehicles were traveling north when one vehicle struck the other from the rear. After the collision, a vehicle crossed the center lane and struck another vehicle in the oncoming lane. The tractor then struck both vehicles in the opposing lane. Law enforcement is still investigating exactly how this accident occurred.

Sometimes, injuries following a car accident are so serious that there is no question you should take an ambulance to a nearby medical facility. In many situations, however, a person's injuries are not readily apparent. Due to the confusion and overwhelming adrenaline rush associated with a car accident, it can be difficult to assess whether your injuries require medical care. 

If you have been involved in an accident and are wondering whether you or a loved one should take an ambulance to the hospital, there are some safety tips to keep in mind.

Ignore Immediate Sensations

How a person feels immediately after an accident is not a good indicator of whether or not a person is injured or the severity of that person's injuries. Injuries from an accident do not always immediately reveal themselves. This is because our brains send a rush of adrenaline to our system that can temporarily mask the pain as well as sense incorrect signals about the extent of our injuries. 

You Will be Better Equipped to Deal With Suddenly Worsening Symptoms

Some symptoms like bleeding, chest pain, and belabored breathing can dramatically increase in severity when a person is on the way to the hospital. A person who experiences these symptoms while riding in an ambulance will have trained medical staff on hand to make sure that these symptoms are adequately treated and that he or she receives pain medication. 

You Can Get to the Hospital Faster

It might seem obvious, but ambulances have sirens and cars do not. This means that you are likely to arrive at the hospital much more quickly in an ambulance than in a car. 

It is Better to be Cautious

It is better to look back at a traumatic event and realize that you did not need the level of care you received than to have received a substandard level of care. Some of the signs that you should think highly about taking an ambulance include difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting, pain, trouble seeing, and weakness. 

Speak with an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been impacted by an accident in the Spokane area, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced accident attorney at West Law Office.