Is it better to drive to the hospital or call an ambulance?
Asked by: Dr. Carter Murray DDS | Last update: August 30, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (62 votes)
Should I call an ambulance or go to the hospital?
You should call ambulance only if it's a dire emergency. Call 911 for chest pain, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain with nausea & vomiting. Also call an ambulance for a fractured extremity if you can't move or the bone is sticking out of the skim. A major laceration or severe sprain-call 911.
Is it better take someone to the hospital or wait for the ambulance?
If the injury or illness is life-threatening or could cause permanent disability, go to the ER. The emergency department is where you will get care for severe illnesses and injuries. If it's a life-threatening emergency, call 911 so first responders can provide care right away.
When to not call an ambulance?
There are certainly times when calling an ambulance isn't necessary. A lot of injuries don't need immediate treatment. If the medical emergency isn't life-threatening and you can quickly get yourself or the victim to the hospital, you should do so. In that case, you shouldn't call an ambulance.
Should I drive myself to the hospital?
If you yourself are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, you should never, ever drive yourself to the hospital. Chances are far too high that you will get in an accident, making a bad situation worse for yourself and others. The responding EMS crews will take you to the most appropriate hospital for your needs.
Know When to Call 911 Instead of Driving to the ER
Can I ask the ambulance to take me to a specific hospital?
When you call 911, you'll be transferred to the nearest hospital, and you won't have a choice. However, if you contact a private ambulance company, they can take you to the hospital of your choice. But don't let this choice get in the way of what's best for your health.
What symptoms will get you admitted to the hospital?
- Trouble breathing.
- Passing out, fainting.
- Pain in the arm or jaw.
- Unusual or bad headache, particularly if it started suddenly.
- Dizziness or weakness that does not go away.
- Inhaled smoke or poisonous fumes.
- Sudden confusion.
At what point should you call an ambulance?
Always call 999 in a medical emergency – when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Examples of genuine emergencies include: cardiac arrest. loss of consciousness.
Do you get charged for calling 911 an ambulance?
Police/Fire/Rescue is generally a free service to you when you call 911, funded by taxes. When 911 is called for emergency medical calls, our EMS crews respond and help determine if the patient needs to be transported to the hospital emergency room.
Why do people hesitate to call an ambulance?
In my experience, it is multi-dimensional and could come from lack of confidence, denial or concern about the cost. Confidence: is it serious enough? Sometimes it is crystal clear when an ambulance is needed. However, unlike in the movies a medical incident or accident is not always dramatic.
Is it faster to drive or call an ambulance?
Ambulances and other emergency vehicles are given the right of way in traffic and can often bypass busy streets or congestion, allowing them to travel much more quickly than personal vehicles.
How do you know if you should call an ambulance?
- chest pain or chest tightness.
- a sudden onset of weakness of the face, arm or leg or trouble speaking — these could be signs of a stroke.
- breathing problems.
- a sudden collapse, or unexplained fall.
- a seizure.
- uncontrollable bleeding.
Why is it so expensive to ride in an ambulance?
Ambulance companies cite the responsibility of around-the-clock staffing, limited insurance reimbursements, and high-cost equipment as reasons rides are expensive. Ambulances are equipped with everything necessary to save your life in an emergency and stabilize you on the way to a hospital.
Does an ambulance get you seen quicker?
Does going by Ambulance get me into the Emergency room faster than going by private auto? Admission to the Emergency room is based upon the severity of injury or illness regardless of how you get there. Someone with chest pains or difficulty breathing will go before someone who has a headache or a cut arm.
What are reasons to call an ambulance?
- Bleeding that won't stop.
- Choking.
- Confusion, slurred speech, difficulty walking or speaking.
- Coughing up or vomiting blood.
- Dizziness, weakness, or a change in vision.
- Drowning.
- Drug overdose.
- Fainting or loss of consciousness.
How much does an ambulance ride cost with insurance?
The average cost of an ambulance ride is $500 to $3,500+ without insurance. An ambulance ride with insurance costs $250 to $1,500+, depending on your insurance plan and specific coverage. The total cost to ride in an ambulance depends on the location, distance traveled, and level of medical support provided.
Why is my ambulance bill so high?
Even out-of-network, insurance plans would pay a portion akin to a negotiated rate, so make sure that has occurred. "In the course of an emergency, sometimes the ambulance doesn't get your insurance or the hospital is not forthcoming, so you want to verify that the bill has been run through insurance.
Who pays when you call 911?
The cost of a 911 call is usually paid for by state taxes. However, in some areas, fire departments and other city resources have an emergency response, but it is not common.
Is it illegal to not call an ambulance?
General Rule: No Duty To Aid Someone in Peril
In general, the law says you do not owe a duty to help someone else. There is no duty to rescue. You are under no legal obligation to do anything to help people in an emergency situation.
Do police come when an ambulance is called?
Police officers may respond to ambulance calls depending on the nature of the call. Police officers often respond to assist with scene safety or to assist if additional manpower is needed.
What should I say when I call ambulance?
Know What to Say When Calling 911
Tell the dispatcher where to find the person needing emergency care, who is hurt and sick and what happen. The dispatcher will also need to know what condition the victims is in and if any help can be given. Give the exact location of the emergency.
Is it better to go to the ER at night or morning?
ERs generally see a decline in patient visits during the early morning hours. Furthermore, weekends, in contrast to popular belief, also tend to be less crowded. If your condition is not life-threatening but still requires immediate medical attention, considering these off-peak hours might be beneficial.
What warrants an ER visit?
You should call 911 or come right to the emergency room if you're systemically sick. That's when an illness affects your entire body, and you have severe pain or sudden onset of severe symptoms, a fever that won't break, or “something doesn't work,” like you're unable to move an arm or leg or breathe normally.
How to get ER to admit you?
ER physicians do not have admitting privileges. If they feel a patient warrants admission they call the attending of the service “on call” for the day, and discuss the patient. ER staff may write a few orders until the attending arrives to fully assess the patient's problem.