Ambulance Accident Lawsuit In 2024 - A Basic Guide
Although ambulances do an excellent job in protecting many critical patients daily, accidents involving ambulances still happen, leading to injuries and even death. For instance, driving at speed can lead to a fatal crash that could cause life-threatening injuries and trauma. Have you or your loved one been injured in an accident involving an emergency service vehicle such as an ambulance? If so, you are eligible to file an ambulance accident lawsuit In 2024 and get compensation.
When making compensation claims, you should always think of an accident with an ambulance in the same way as any other type of Road Traffic Accident (RTA). This means that you will be able to get compensation if:
- You were injured due to the ambulance accident.
- The other driver involved in the accident committed a negligent act.
After having your injuries treated by medical professionals, it is critical to build a personal injury case with an experienced ambulance accident lawyer.
Common causes of ambulance accidents
Various factors lead to ambulance accidents. Sometimes, injuries result because a patient is improperly secured or objects within the cab of an ambulance are improperly stored. In addition, ambulance drivers may make mistakes, even when they have their passenger’s safety in mind.
According to the latest ambulance accident lawsuit 2024 updates, some accidents are unpreventable and involve other negligent drivers; others result from the negligence of ambulance drivers, hospitals, or medical transport providers.
Paramedics and EMTs can also lead to unusual fatigue during long work hours. However, they are trained professionals and are held to a high level of responsibility.
Here is a list of some preventable causes of accidents that can make victims eligible to file ambulance accident lawsuit:
1. Ambulance driver negligence:
When sirens are on and ambulances are responding to emergencies, ambulance drivers get several leeways with traffic laws. For instance, they can travel at higher speeds, run stop signs, and even counter-flow. However, it does not mean that ambulance drivers are exempted from taking proper safety precautions regardless of whether the sirens are on or not.
Ambulance driver negligence that can cause crashes may include, and is not restricted to:
- Failure to activate emergency lights and/or sirens.
- Driving while impaired, which can include driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs or driving while fatigued, both of which can impair drivers’ perception and reaction times.
- Distracted driving, which can prevent drivers from seeing and properly responding to other motorists and the driving environment in general.
2. The negligence of other motorists:
In some cases, the passenger vehicle drivers or other motorists can cause ambulance accidents. Typically, this type of negligence involves:
- Failure to pull over when ambulance sirens and lights are activated can result from driver inexperience, impairment, or distraction.
- Failing to abide by traffic laws in the presence of an ambulance.
3. Ambulance provider negligence:
Companies that own and operate ambulances and employ ambulance drivers can be held liable for the accidents involving these emergency vehicles. Instances wherein ambulance providers can be liable include:
- Failure to properly train drivers or equip them with the necessary safety equipment.
- Hiring drivers with a history of reckless driving and/or violating traffic laws.
- Failing to properly maintain their vehicles.
- Insufficient policies or procedures that increase the risk of ambulance crashes.
4. Other forms of negligence:
Various other parties can be held liable for ambulance crashes and collisions. These include:
- Vehicle equipment makers could be liable if equipment failure or malfunction contributed to the crash.
- Hospitals can be accountable if their policies or procedures contribute to ambulance accidents.
- The local or state government could be liable if dangerous road conditions were a factor.
If the driver of an emergency service vehicle is on an emergency call, they are advised to use their sirens and lights to notify other road users. In addition, they are also allowed to drive at speeds above the normal road limits and pass-through red traffic signals, stop signs, and similar junctions.
Key points about ambulance accidents
- Local or state government agencies run many ambulance services. Therefore, filing an ambulance accident claim against government workers involves completing unique forms and meeting short deadlines.
- Ambulance patients have the same rights as any passenger injured in a vehicle accident.
- An ambulance accident attorney can best protect the rights of injury victims, especially those with pre-existing conditions.
- Be aware of possible medical liens against the ambulance accident lawsuit settlement. Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney before accepting a settlement offer.
Different types of services offered by ambulances
There are multiple ambulance services available to those looking for patient transport. Some examples of these ambulance services include:
- All town ambulances.
- Ambulife ambulance.
- Ambulnz.
- American med ambulance.
- American medical response.
- Armstrong Richard non-emergency medical transport.
- Assured transport service.
- Cal-med ambulance service.
- Elite ambulance.
- First med ambulance services.
- Impulse ambulance.
- Liberty ambulance service.
- Lifeline ambulance.
- Lifestar medical transport.
- Medics of wheels.
- Medreach ambulance service.
- Medwest express.
- Prn ambulance.
- Quickteck medical transport.
- Rescue one ambulance.
- Royalty ambulance.
- Schaefer ambulance service.
- Southern California ambulance.
- United air & ground ambulance.
- United ride medical transportation.
- Venucare.
Types of injuries sustained in ambulance accidents
The high speeds and the lack of protection for rear passengers in an ambulance increases the risk of a road accident. Safety reports indicate that almost a third of ambulance accidents result in injuries.
Half of those injured in ambulance accidents are occupants of the other vehicle involved. Common injuries suffered by ambulance accident victims include:
- Bone fractures.
- Burns.
- Cuts and lacerations.
- Internal injuries.
- Paralysis.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries.
- Whiplash and spinal injuries.
The top lawyers are aware of all the ambulance accident latest updates and will help you build a strong case to get maximum compensation.
Compensation for an ambulance accident lawsuit
The following are compensable damages that you may be able to recover:
- Emergency medical costs.
- Frequent physician office visits.
- Future medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Lost future income.
- Pain and suffering.
- Pre-operative and post-operative care.
- Physical therapy.
- Punitive damages.
- Surgical costs.
How to prove your ambulance accident lawsuit?
Gather your evidence as soon as you can. Here are some tips on what you can do after the ambulance accident.
- Click photos and collect video footage.
- Swap details with the other driver.
- Obtain your medical notes.
- Take photographs.
- Write down all the witness information.
Choose Ethen Ostroff Law
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident due to an ambulance driver’s negligence contact Ethen Ostroff Law and get free consultation. A skilled and experienced ambulance accident lawyer in Philadelphia can answer all your questions to clear your doubts.
We will then provide you access to hands-on lawyers that can help you every step of the way, from ensuring you get medical treatments to negotiating a fair settlement to trying your case in court or before the jury. What are you waiting for? Contact Ethen Ostroff Law now at 610-510-8883 ( by calling this number, you consent to receive SMS updates from Ethen Ostroff Law) or Submit Form to get free consultation.
