In the aftermath of a car accident that was not your fault, the choices made in the Emergency Room (ER) can be critical to both the care you receive and the likelihood that you recover from your injuries. It may also impact the success of your claim against the driver who caused the crash and their car insurance. In addition to giving you the care you need, the doctors and other medical providers at a hospital also document the injuries you sustained. This documentation may help prove your injuries, and their severity, to the car insurance company of the driver who hit you. It is, therefore, very important to thoroughly describe your injuries to the providers you see at the hospital.
Below, we’ll answer the following questions to help you understand what to do at the hospital after being injured in a car accident:
- Should I tell my doctor my injuries are from a car accident?
- How do you know if you are ok after a car accident?
- What are my rights in this situation, especially if the accident was not my fault?
- Do I need to go to a certain doctor/chiropractor/hospital? What about the doctors in the hospital who are treating me - do each of them need to be within my network?
In the moments after a crash, it's natural to focus on what feels most urgent. Things such as; is everyone OK, whether your car is drivable, who’s calling the police, do I need pictures of the scene/damage, when the ambulance will arrive, etc. We have a separate page dedicated to helping you navigate what to do after a car accident. However, what happens at the hospital may be just as important for both your health and your case.
Not Every ER Visit in Nevada Is Handled the Same Way
If you’re taken to University Medical Center (UMC), you’re at Nevada’s only Level I trauma center. That means access to surgical specialists, advanced imaging, and 24/7 trauma teams. But other hospitals in the Vegas Valley, like Centennial Hills, Sunrise, or MountainView, may not activate the same level of care unless you are careful and thorough when describing your injuries.
Under Nevada Law (NRS 450B and related regulations), hospitals and EMS providers follow certain criteria that determine when trauma protocols should be activated, but those decisions depend on the information they receive. Failing to mention all of your injuries can lead to missed imaging, delayed specialist care, or inaccurate medical coding. For example, someone with serious injuries to their legs or arms may fail to mention that they also hit their head during the crash. This could lead to a serious head injury being left undiagnosed and untreated.
While You're in the ER, Pay Attention to What Gets Documented
A few key moments during your ER stay can influence the medical record and what happens after.
When EMS Transfers You
If you were brought in by ambulance, paramedics will give a verbal report to the receiving team (MIST report). This typically includes your vital signs, symptoms, treatments already provided, and how the crash happened.
If something is wrong or incomplete, and you are able to speak up, say something. Paramedics may not have seen the full picture, especially if you were disoriented at the scene. Mention medications, allergies, or symptoms that have worsened en route.
Start Your Documentation Early
It’s easy to feel passive during an ER visit, especially when you’re injured or overwhelmed. But you can still:
- Take photos of every form you sign.
- Ask for a copy of your discharge summary, medication list, and test results.
- Write down the names of every provider who treats you.
Nevada law (NRS 629.061) gives you the right to timely access to your medical chart. Hospitals must provide your records on request, and are limited in what they can charge for copies.
Make Sure the People Treating You Know You Were in a Crash, Not Just the First Person Who Asks
One common oversight in ERs, especially when the injuries seem minor, is that the crash mechanism doesn’t get recorded in the medical record. In other words, the people treating you don’t mention in their records that your injuries are the result of a car crash. That can cause multiple problems later related to both the care you receive and the success of your claim.
Feeling Okay Doesn’t Guarantee You’re Uninjured
Nevada’s trauma data shows that many crash patients who felt “fine” immediately after the crash, later returned with delayed symptoms, including internal bleeding, brain injuries, and soft tissue damage.
You should request a thorough evaluation if:
- Your seatbelt left marks or bruises
- The airbags deployed
- You lost consciousness
- You hit your head or chest
- You were involved in a high-speed or multi-vehicle crash
Nevada Law Protects You in the ER (Even If Someone Else Caused the Crash)
In most situations, the law entitles you to:
Emergency care without delay. Hospitals must treat you regardless of your ability to pay or who was at fault.
No balance billing from ER providers. Nevada law and the federal No Surprises Act protect you from extra charges by out-of-network emergency physicians, radiologists, or anesthesiologists.
Access to your medical records. Providers cannot release your records without written consent (with narrow legal exceptions), and they must give you a copy within a reasonable time if requested.
If a hospital violates any of these rights, you may be able to file a complaint with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health or request help from the Office for Consumer Health Assistance (OCHA), which offers free support to some patients dealing with hospital billing or discharge issues.
When Legal Help Matters
If the car accident wasn’t your fault, what happens at the ER can affect your legal case just as much as your medical outcome.
Injured in a car accident? Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers work with injured patients to make sure their care is documented properly, their bills are managed lawfully, and their legal rights are protected. The sooner you reach out, the more we can do to help preserve evidence, guide your follow-up care, and avoid costly missteps.
Contact SJW Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Call for a Free Consultation: (702) 291-8007
You pay nothing unless we win.
SJW Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Las Vegas
7570 Norman Rockwell Ln, Suite 210
Las Vegas, NV 89143
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For medical emergencies, seek care immediately. For legal advice, consult a qualified, licensed attorney.
