If you’ve been seriously injured in a Virginia car wreck, you may have faced a frightening realization: would emergency responders be able to contact your family if you were not able to communicate?
Instead of waiting for this to happen, there is something you can do right now: put an “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) contact in your cell-phone. It will help first responders get in touch with your friends or loved ones who are aware of your medical conditions, allergies, or any medication that you need. This information could be life-saving in the event of an emergency.
Think about it – if you are a diabetic, allergic to penicillin, taking heart medication – it is important that the emergency responders like paramedics, firefighters and police officers helping you know this if you are badly hurt in a Virginia car crash.
To use the ICE system, take the following steps:
- Talk to your ICE contact, and make sure they know you are adding them to your cell phone as an emergency contact. This way they will be prepared if an emergency responder calls and needs information.
- Ensure that your ICE contact knows the important information about you. Ideally, they should know your full name, date of birth, home address, blood type, any medical conditions, allergies, and any other important medical information.
- If you have more than one emergency contact, enter them into your phone as ICE2, ICE3, etc.
This system isn’t foolproof. If your cell phone is damaged in a crash, or if you lock your keypad when the phone is not in use, first responders will not be able to access your ICE contact. You can, however, be prepared with a backup plan. You should also include your ICE contact information and details about yourself on a card in your wallet and / or your glove compartment.
If you find yourself in a serious Virginia auto accident, please don’t feel that you have to struggle to recover alone. The vehicle wreck lawyers at Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas can help you recover justice and fair compensation after a terrible accident.
DULANEY, LAUER & THOMAS, LLP
Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631
Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046