Most people hope they never find themselves in an ambulance in the first place.
Being in a car crash on top of that is another situation entirely.
After all, if you’re in the back of an ambulance, you or a loved one is already experiencing an emergency. But what happens if a worst-case scenario occurs where one disaster follows another?
What happens if your ambulance crashes while you’re en route to the hospital?
This isn’t as uncommon as you might think: Ambulance drivers drive fast and sometimes recklessly, which can result in further trauma (or even death) to their at-risk passengers.
If you believe that you’ve suffered an injury (or further injury) due to an ambulance crash, you may have legal options. Learn more about the support and compensation you can receive by scheduling a free consultation with Cullotta Bravo Law today at 630-898-7800.
Are Ambulance Crashes Negligence, Personal Injury, or Both?
Ambulance drivers and emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, are trained medical professionals. While a patient is in their vehicle, it’s their job to provide emergency care.
This can lead some to wonder whether ambulance crashes constitute some niche version of medical malpractice.
Others wonder whether ambulance crashes actually fall under the umbrella of personal injury.
While it’s true that ambulance drivers and EMTs can be held liable for medical malpractice, a car crash is most likely to be considered a personal injury case. However, suppose it comes to light during an investigation that the company responsible for hiring the drivers didn’t perform due diligence while hiring. In that case, you may be able to make a claim against the company for negligent hiring. But what if the EMTs neglected some aspect of their duty that directly led to the patient’s injuries? For example, suppose the patient was not secured correctly in the back of the ambulance before the crash. That may provide some malpractice-adjacent basis for a personal injury claim.
The simple answer is that, of course, ambulance crashes are as complicated as they are traumatic. When figuring out how to work towards fair compensation after a crash, it’s necessary to seek guidance from seasoned lawyers who have experience sifting through complicated matters of negligence, malpractice, and personal injury.
What You Need to Do After an Ambulance Crash
If you or a loved one is in an ambulance crash, your immediate priorities are relatively simple: First, make sure that you and everyone involved are as safe as possible.
This may involve moving from the middle of the road, if doing so is safe, calling the police, or even summoning a secondary ambulance. The EMTs should continue to provide emergency care to the patient, if they are able. If not, it may be necessary to take quick action to provide CPR while further help is on the way.
Document as much as you can, as thoroughly as possible. If you are able and have access to a camera, take pictures of the scene of the accident. Make sure that a police report is filed following the ambulance crash.
Once you’re at the hospital, ensure everyone involved with the crash gets a full checkup. Even if you don’t feel that you suffered clear harm, you need to rule out any internal bleeding or other dangerous (yet invisible) conditions. Additionally, your timed and dated medical reports will be invaluable as evidence during your legal team’s investigation.
Then, get in touch with a Chicago area personal injury lawyer quickly. These situations become very complex very quickly, and you must take action before your ambulance crash case spirals out of control.
The Cullotta Bravo Law Firm is Here to Help You Navigate Your Ambulance Crash
If your ambulance crashes on the way to the hospital, you’ll need help managing the aftermath of this traumatizing event. That’s where the experienced attorneys at Cullotta Bravo Law Firm are ready to help. We’ll investigate your case thoroughly, negotiate with insurance firms on your behalf, and hold your ambulance driver and all other involved parties accountable to you and your care.
Call our firm today at 630-225-8341 or contact us online for more information.
