As New York car accident lawyers, we have represented many critically injured motor vehicle accident victims over the years. One thing we have learned is that first responders who arrive at the scene of a wreck aren’t always able to take into account the victims’ health history or medical conditions before rendering treatment. And that’s too bad, because that knowledge can mean the difference between life and death.
For example, I am on a blood thinner (Xarelto) because if have developed some atrial fibrillation – a common and minor disorder of the heart. And I sure would want anyone performing emergency medical care on me to know about that. After all, I could bleed to death if they do surgery on me without knowing I am on blood thinners.
Now there is a potentially life-saving program from the New York State Sheriffs’ Association that can help you, your family, and your friends alert first providers about their medical conditions and medications. It’s called the “Yellow Dot Program” and it works like this:
Pick up the Yellow Dot kit at your local sheriff’s office. Then place the “yellow dot” decal you find in the kit on the driver’s side rear window of your vehicle (see photo). This alerts first responders that vital medical information is stored in your glove compartment. Then fill out and place in your glove compartment the “yellow dot card” which has your photo on it and contains all the important medical information that first providers need to know about you. You can complete one card for each person who regularly occupies the vehicle.
Yellow Dot kits save lives and are available for free. Pick up a kit at any of the central New York deputy sheriff’s offices listed below:
Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office 7445 County House Road, Auburn, NY 13021 (315) 253-1222
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office 130 South Plymouth Avenue Rochester, NY 14614 (585) 753-4178
Ontario County Sheriff’s Office 74 Ontario Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 (585) 394-4560
Seneca County Sheriff’s Office 6150 State Route 96, Romulus, NY 14541 (315) 220-3200
Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office 779 Warren Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-1345
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office 7376 Route 31, Suite 1000 Lyons, NY 14489 (315) 946-9711
Your may also request a kit by going to www.nysheriffs.org/yellowdot.. Request kits for your friends and family too!
Keep safe!
Mike Bersani
Email me at: bersani@mbk-law.com I’d love to hear from you!
Michael G. Bersani, Esq.
mbk-law.com Central and Syracuse NY Auto Accident Lawyers
Michaels Bersani Kalabanka
1-315-253-3293