When you suddenly become a patient needing immediate medical care and transportation to the hospital, ambulance service is a godsend. But when you are hit by an ambulance, becoming a victim of its power and speed, you see the ambulance in an entirely different light. It is estimated that there are about 6,500 ambulance accidents in the U.S. every year, many involving serious injuries, and some resulting in fatalities. If you have been injured in an ambulance accident in the Philadelphia area, Cooper Schall & Levy is the place to call.
For decades, our personal injury attorneys have helped ambulance accident victims recover the damages they deserve. If you reside in the Philadelphia area or adjacent counties in New Jersey and have suffered harm due to another party’s negligence, contact us today. Our long-term experience has sharpened our legal skills and we have an excellent track record of successful outcomes. We will evaluate your case free of charge and fight aggressively to bring you just compensation.
Because we recognize that you may well be traumatized financially as well as physically and emotionally, we will charge you no attorneys’ fees until we have recovered meaningful damages for you either through a negotiated settlement or a favorable verdict.
Some Important Facts About Ambulance Accidents
Following are some facts worth noting about ambulance accidents:
- Most crashes and fatalities occur during emergency use and at intersections.
- In most cases, those who are injured are not in the ambulance.
- The majority of motor vehicle accidents involving ambulances occur during daylight hours and in dry conditions which indicates that weather and visibility are not major factors in these crashes.
- According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), although only 16 percent of ambulance operators were cited for traffic violations, 41 percent of them were found to have poor driving records.
- Victims who have been hit by an ambulance tend to be seriously injured since the impacting vehicle is heavier than a car, typically speeding, and permitted to disobey traffic signals while engaged in emergency service.
As noted, some, but not all, ambulance accidents are the fault of the ambulance driver. No matter. We will hold whoever is at fault legally liable for your losses.
When the Ambulance Driver Is at Fault
When the ambulance driver is to blame, the driver may have been impaired by drugs or alcohol, distracted, fatigued, speeding excessively, or simply inattentive. If the driver is found to be at fault for the collision, the hospital or medical transport company may also be at fault for not properly vetting the ambulance driver or for making that individual work too many hours without sufficient rest. If this is the case, our ambulance accident attorneys will sue both parties.
Other Causes of Ambulance Accidents
In some instances, the ambulance accident may be the result of:
- Negligence or recklessness of another car’s driver
- Malfunction of the ambulance’s emergency equipment (siren/flashing lights)
- Mechanical defects in any of the other vehicles involved in the accident
- Missing or defective traffic signs or signals on the roadway
- Poorly paved, poorly lit, or slippery roads, or streets covered with debris
As your attorneys, we will identify all responsible parties — e.g. the hospital, the driver of the ambulance or of another car, the auto manufacturer or the government agency responsible for road maintenance — and fight vigorously to hold them accountable.
Common Injuries Sustained in Ambulance Accidents
Safety reports show that almost a third of ambulance accidents result in injuries, and half
of those injured are occupants of the other vehicle involved. Victims of ambulance accidents may suffer:
- Cuts, deep bruises, burns
- Bone fractures
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Whiplash
- Spinal Injuries (including paralysis)
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage or loss
Damages Our Attorneys Will Fight to Recover
Depending on your particular needs, you are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages reimburse you for out-of-pocket costs and loses, including:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost income, present and future
- Physical and psychological therapy
- Property damage
- Replacement services (e.g. childcare)
Non-economic damages compensate you for intangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Permanent scarring or other disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you have lost a loved one to wrongful death in an ambulance accident, we will do everything in our power to bring you damages for final medical costs, funeral costs, and loss of financial and emotional support.
What Cooper Schall & Levy Will Do to Ease Your Burden
We are well aware that what you need now is time to rest and recover, so we will do the heavy lifting by:
- Handling all communications with opposing attorneys and insurance adjusters
- Investigating the site of your accident, surveillance videos, and forensic evidence
- Examining police records and medical reports
- Identifying all responsible parties
- Identifying and interviewing witnesses
- Subpoenaing smartphone records to determine if the driver was texting
- Investigating the defendant’s history of any similar negligence or misconduct
- Consulting with experts in pertinent fields (e.g. medicine, automotive engineering) who may testify on your behalf
- Negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement
- Fighting for your rights in court if your case proceeds to trial
Contact Our Experienced Ambulance Accident Attorneys Now
Being injured in an ambulance accident can be frightening and overwhelming. Do yourself a favor and get in touch with Cooper Schall & Levy as soon as possible. We will take over all legal and logistical matters and work tirelessly to bring you the funds you need to cover your losses and provide you and your family with a secure future. Contact us today.
