#emergency #ER #girlfriend #accident #alcohol #responsibility
The other night, my girlfriend had a painful accident, slipping and injuring her ankle while reaching for something on a stool. We both agreed that she needed immediate medical attention at the ER. However, I found myself in a difficult situation, torn between ensuring her safety and being responsible for my own actions. Here’s what happened and why I need your advice on whether I was in the wrong or not.
## The Dilemma
The day before the incident, I had consumed a couple of rare high ABV beers which left me feeling buzzed and over the legal limit to drive. When my girlfriend asked me to take her to the ER, I knew I couldn’t drive in that state. I suggested waiting 2-3 hours for the alcohol to metabolize, but she was in urgent need of medical assistance and didn’t want to wait.
Issue 1: Legal and Safety Concerns
- Consuming alcohol and driving is not only illegal but also dangerous.
- Putting my girlfriend at risk by driving while impaired was not an option.
She then proposed driving my car herself, despite not having a license or experience, which I believed would be even riskier. I also considered calling an ambulance or getting an Uber as alternative options.
## The Solutions
1. **Safety First**
– Prioritize safety by never driving under the influence of alcohol.
– Understand the legal implications of drunk driving and act responsibly.
2. **Communication**
– Explain your reasoning to your partner even if they may not fully understand at the moment.
– Listen to their concerns and try to find a compromise together.
3. **Exploring Alternatives**
– Research local services like ambulance rides, urgent care centers, or rideshare options for immediate medical assistance.
– Make informed decisions based on the situation at hand and available resources.
## The Aftermath
After waiting for a few hours, I eventually drove her to the ER, but the tension between us remained. She was upset with my decision-making process and felt I could have handled the situation differently.
In conclusion, I want to ask for your opinion on whether I was justified in my actions or if I could have handled the situation better. Let’s discuss how to navigate emergencies responsibly while considering all factors involved. Your insights are appreciated! 🚑🤝🤔
NTA. If you were not capable of safely driving, then she should have found another way. For the record, a lot of people use Uber to go to the ER. They probably wouldn’t take somebody who was bleeding all over the place, or in the midst of a life-threatening emergency, such as chest pain or a stroke, but I doubt they would deny someone with an ankle injury.
NTA
You gave her several options, and rightfully ignored her suggestions of a buzzed or unlicensed+injured driver. She didn’t even let you TRY to get an Uber.
NTA. I’ve taken Uber to the ER. She just didn’t want to spend money
NTA for not driving under influence but YTA for not getting a car ride for her as Uber or taxi would help her to get to hospital without any problems.
NTA. It was an unfortunate coincidence that was no one’s fault, yet she is blaming you for it. You were completely right not to drive while tipsy, and completely right to not let her drive without a license. Her concern regarding the Uber is unfounded. If she had no one else that could’ve given her a ride, waiting was the right choice.
NTA.
The number of people and body parts I’ve handled because they thought it was worth taking a risk on drink-driving… It’s really not worth your life and well-being or anybody else’s to take that chance. You presented sensible options, she declined them. If she’s injured her ankle to a point of affecting her driving ability, she shouldn’t be driving. So if she won’t or can’t take a taxi, and no-one else is able to give a lift, and you can’t afford/don’t want to run the risk of paying for an ambulance (which is an indictment on your healthcare system, not you), then what else was there to do but wait?
NTA. One of you is a responsible adult and the other is not. Thank you for not risking yours, hers and any other person’s lives by driving under the influence. Further thank you for not letting an unlicensed driver do the same thing (especially injured). The only solution here to get her there faster would have been call emergency services. You did good. She can Pout and be upset all she wants. But No you are NTA
Absolutely 100% NTA.
Thank you for not putting yourself, your girlfriend and other people in danger by getting behind the wheel under the influence.
Thank you for not allowing your inexperienced girlfriend to drive your car uninsured, without a licence and with an injured ankle.
If your girlfriend wanted to go to the ER that badly she should have let you call an Uber or she should have called one herself
> She didn’t talk to me the entire car ride there or back and has been giving me the cold shoulder ever since.
Just enjoy the peace and quiet. She has no right to be upset at you for choosing not to put the both of you at risk for the sake of going to the hospital.
NTA
If she was that desperate she could have called an Uber to take her to the ER. Good on you for not drink driving even if it was only a short distance.
NTA – She wanted you to drive under the influence, fuck the DUI you could have gotten in a much worse accident if you were impaired. Both of you could have ended up dead or seriously injured. You did the right thing.
NTA. First, an intoxicated person should never drive. Second, an unlicensed driver shouldn’t drive. Third, even a broken ankle isn’t life-threatening (the wait is highly unlikely to change the outcome; you’re probably going to wait longer in the emergency room waiting area). Finally, there *were* options, such as Uber or a neighbor maybe? I’ve driven neighbors I didn’t even know all that well to the hospital. Calling family even if a short distance away. Together, you could solve this. She was asking for the absolutely wrong things (for a drunk or unlicensed driver to drive what I also note was *your* car, not hers).
Her behavior shows you how she handles minor emergencies. Take that information on board.
NTA for not driving drunk. That could have ended with both of you and a carful of other people being in the hospital for something much worse than an injured ankle. Uber would have taken her, though. I can imagine them balking at someone in labor or gushing blood or something, but an ankle sprain isn’t going to mess up anyone’s car.
NTA but I’ve never had to ever consider an ambulance being “too expensive” and it reminds me just how shit y’all have it in the US sometimes.
NTA you were right to not drive impaired. No question.
Uber, taxi, friend, family – all other options than sitting there waiting though.
NTA.
Why does your girlfriend have no independence?
Why does she have no license? Why isn’t she capable of getting an Uber? Why is she incapable of figuring out basic adulting?
NTA. You made the right choice not to drive drunk. I don’t see why an Uber driver would refuse to drive an injured person to a hospital, as long as they didn’t have to provide assistance.
i’m so confused as to why she didn’t want to take an uber?? NTA. drunk driving is never ok and ambulances being expensive is a valid reason for her to say no but she should’ve taken an uber. did she not have anyone else besides you to drive her? friends or family?
NTA, I applaud your decision to not drive in that case. Letting an unlicensed, uninsured, injured person drive is almost as stupid an idea too. I would have called an Uber anyway or asked someone you know, giving her an ice pack in the meanwhile.
Either of you getting arrested and/or in an accident would be a tragically avoidable situation, and your gf is being unreasonable.
NTA for not driving while buzzed. But ESH for not taking ten seconds to Google “will Uber take you to the ER.” The answer is yes, btw
This is some of the dumbest shit I’ve ever read. NTA but she couldn’t think of a single other person to drive her the few miles?
NTA. She rather risk killing you and dying in a car incident than get to the ER safely. And she gives you the cold shoulder for caring about both your lives?
There is something mentally broken there.
NC her butt. Massive red flags.
NTA Your girlfriend tried to get you to drive under the influence and you didn’t, you 100% did the right thing. As far as Uber taking an injured passenger, have no idea why they would care unless she was bleeding or oozing all over their car. I drove lyft and Uber and frequently picked up and dropped off at the hospitals. Lastly, a messed up ankle is not really an emergency. It isn’t heart attack or stroke and she is breathing and getting oxygen. 2 hours isn’t going to do anything. She could have gone to urgent care too.
HARD NTA, you are buzzed, you don’t drive!
It was not a medical emergency, meaning life or death.
She had a ton of options, either wait, take a taxi, or call a friend, relative or neighbour’s to drive her.
Good call on your part.
INFO: after being treated, what was the injury that she was diagnosed with?
NTA
1. Urgent care, not ER. This was not an emergency.
2. Uber. DUI or accident is not worth the rush. Again, this was not an emergency.
Mixture of ice/heat, wrapping, Tylenol or ibuprofen until it is safe to travel.