Houston Ambulance Accident Attorneys
Elite Advocacy for Accident Victims in Texas, Louisiana & Nationwide
Every day, millions of emergency vehicles transporting patients in need of immediate medical attention travel down roads at high speeds. With their screeching sirens and bright lights, ambulances notify those in the area of their presence, urging a path to be cleared. However, like any other vehicle on the road, ambulances are vulnerable to serious motor vehicle accidents—especially during emergency transports.
Patients and other passengers aboard ambulances have a reasonable expectation of arriving at their destinations safely. If you or a loved one has been injured in an ambulance accident where the paramedic or another driver was at fault, you may have grounds to pursue compensation, and you should speak with an ambulance accident lawyer right away. Arnold & Itkin is committed to getting you the answers that you're looking for.
Contact us today to request a free and confidential consultation!
Historic Ambulance Accident Recovery
At Arnold & Itkin, we have personal experience with these types of unfortunate accidents. Our personal injury attorneys made Louisiana state history by achieving a $117 million verdict for a woman who sustained serious injuries in an ambulance accident. The victim was seven months pregnant when she began experiencing stomach pains. The ambulance driver assigned to the unit that responded to her call had a track record of poor driving and weak eyesight. After becoming distracted, the driver caused the vehicle to drive into the back of another truck.
Our client suffered multiple serious injuries including permanent paralysis and gave birth to her daughter prematurely. At the time of the verdict, her medical bills had already amounted to $1.4 million and future care was predicted to reach $30 million. Arnold & Itkin successfully held the insurance company liable for injuries and expenses, gaining a historical verdict on behalf of our client.
Abogados de accidentes de auto en Houston
Ambulance Crashes Harm Already Injured or Ill Patients
As a department of medical professionals, emergency medical technician (EMT) personnel manning automotive ambulances are not only responsible for exercising care as emergency medical providers, but also as operators of motor vehicles on the road. While they can drive at higher speeds, they are transporting injured passengers and their family members who may be suffering from a variety of illnesses/injuries. Therefore, paramedics—as well as ambulance drivers—have a serious responsibility to exercise care in the operation of the vehicle in addition to providing the patient on board with necessary and caring medical attention.
Injuries sustained by patients on board ambulances may occur after:
- The ambulance loses control by itself
- A collision takes place that involves one or more vehicles
- The paramedic fails to secure the patient properly
- Sudden acceleration propels the gurney or drops materials onto the patient
Driver or paramedic inattentiveness, distraction, or indiscretion can place the patient, accompanying loved ones, pedestrians, and other vehicles in unnecessary danger. Ambulance drivers do not have unregulated license to drive however they want to because of their position. Rather, with added liberties come serious responsibilities and a higher standard. As professional drivers, they are more accountable for their decisions.
Ambulance drivers must factor in the safety of their passengers as well as other drivers when making decisions on the road. Likewise, the rush of a task should never lead paramedics to half-heartedly ensure the security of a patient before loading him/her onto the vehicle or starting the drive. The safety of the patient and any other passengers should be the highest priority for the on-site team.
Ambulance Accident FAQ
What causes ambulance accidents?
There are about 6,500 ambulance accidents in the United States each year, and traffic collisions involving emergency vehicles are responsible for approximately $35 billion annually. Nearly two out of three ambulance accidents occur during emergency use, when rushing to the scene of an injury or transporting a patient to the hospital. These accidents can be attributed to driver negligence, equipment malfunction, defective auto or ambulance parts, or hazardous roads. Because the ambulances are driving quickly and navigating through traffic and intersections, they are more likely to be involved in collisions if any of those four factors are present.
I was injured in an ambulance accident. Who’s responsible?
If you were injured as a patient being transported in an ambulance, while driving another vehicle that was struck by an ambulance, or as a pedestrian or cyclist, you probably want to know who is to blame. The way to find out is by investigating the collision and determining each factor that led to its occurrence. For example, this may be a driver who was texting while driving, a siren that failed to engage to warn traffic, or an ambulance driver who failed to observe emergency protocol when traveling through an intersection. Once the cause is determined, we can decide who should be held accountable. It may be the ambulance company and its driver, another motorist, a manufacturer, or any other party that contributed to the collision.
What should I do after an ambulance accident?
The first thing to do after any accident is to seek medical care. If you were driving a vehicle that was involved in a collision with an ambulance, you will also need to exchange contact and driver information with the other driver/s. Once you’ve received the immediate treatment you need, you should consider involving a legal professional. A lawyer who understands ambulance accident cases can help you get the treatment and financial support you need, in spite of any efforts by the other driver or the insurance company to try to delay payment or undervalue your claim. At Arnold & Itkin, we put our clients’ needs first and never back down in our fight for the compensation they deserve. With so much on the line, only the best Houston personal injury lawyers will do.
Speak with a Texas Ambulance Accident Lawyer Today: (888) 493-1629
When those you trust to care for you and your loved ones lead you to danger and injury, turn to a legal team that wants to see you receive the best treatment and care possible.
Call Arnold & Itkin at (888) 493-1629 or submit a simple form for a free, confidential evaluation of your case.