Ambulance Accidents

Ambulances are dispatched in emergency situations, and it is vital that they reach their destination in time to save those who called for help. However, when ambulance drivers behave recklessly to make it to their call, other lives can be lost as they blow through intersections or ignore traffic signs.

The Fire Protection Research Foundation published findings in a report analyzing national ambulance crash data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s records. From 1990 and 2009 there were a total of 84,810 ambulance accidents causing 55,251 injuries and 28,969 fatalities. In 2009 alone there were over three thousand ambulance accidents across the United States.

Recently a Fort Meyers ambulance driver collided with a pregnant woman’s vehicle, killing her unborn child when he failed to obey a stop sign at an intersection. Sadly, this is not an isolated event, and the negligent actions of that driver altered the victims’ lives forever.

The attorneys of Gordon & Partners believe that the victims of ambulance accidents deserve an ally to represent them confidently and compassionately in court. We will always fight for the MAXIMUM amount of compensation due to our clients and our firm understands how important that compensation can be to families who might be struggling to afford the medical costs associated with the accident.

If you or a loved one were injured in an ambulance crash in South Florida, our legal team can help guide you through the claims process efficiently and with the utmost respect to your situation.

To find out how we can help, simply fill out the “Free Case Evaluation” form located on the top, right side of the page. There is never any obligation to proceed and the review is 100% FREE. Additionally, your information will always remain confidential.

Causes of Ambulance Collisions

An independent study conducted on characteristics of ambulance crash circumstances highlighted some of the most common factors that contributed to thousands of ambulance accidents over the years.

They include:

• Inadequate screening of vehicle operators
• Poor knowledge of driving laws
• Volunteer nature of the workforce

In addition to these industry-specific factors, there are several that can cause or worsen the severity of an accident. Several of them are:

• Distracted driving
• Driver fatigue
• Use of drugs or alcohol
• Disobeying traffic signs or signals
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Speeding
• Poor visibility
• …to name a few.

Ultimately, driver negligence is the most prominent factor in these incidents. Ambulance operators need to have exclusive knowledge of the weaknesses and pitfalls of their vehicle, such as their top-heavy stature which can lead to rollovers or tipping when corners are taken too fast.

Types of Injuries from Ambulance Accidents

Though flashing lights and sirens help an ambulance to alert other motorists that they are approaching an intersection, the ambulance driver still has the responsibility of exercising caution when maneuvering through traffic.

Injuries from ambulance accidents can be deadly because ambulance drivers have very little control over the lateral motion of their vehicle. If the truck topples it is likely going to crush any vehicle underneath it, which will bring serious injury or death to those inside.

The following are some of the most common injuries associated with South Florida ambulance accidents:

• Broken jaw
• Burns
• Crushed bones
• Facial disfigurement
• Herniated discs
• Lacerations
• Loss of limb, or amputation
• Passenger ejection
• Severe head trauma
• Spinal trauma
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• wrongful death
• …and many others.

Drivers are not the only vulnerable ones in the event of an ambulance crash. Pedestrians, cyclists, and even those riding in the back of the ambulance are all at risk of injury when an ambulance driver either does not exercise reasonable safety or loses control of the vehicle. Driver negligence is an inexcusable offense and the responsible party should be held accountable for their actions.

The hospital bills and rehabilitative costs that a victim will incur are dependent on the severity of their injuries. Regardless, the days or weeks spent out of work recovering will cost the victim in lost wages. Suffering in silence is not far to the victim or their families.

If you or a loved one were injured in an ambulance crash, reaching out to an experienced truck and ambulance accident litigator will ensure that your voice is heard and justice is served.

Need Help? Our South Florida Ambulance Accident Attorneys Are Here

With more than 150 years combined experience, the lawyers of Gordon & Partners are ready to help guide you through the entire litigation process. We have several offices located throughout the tri-county area and are proud to serve the following areas:

• Pembroke Pines
• Ft. Lauderdale
• Delray Beach
• Jupiter
• Palm Beach Gardens
• Stuart
• Wellington
• West Palm Beach
• …and many more surrounding neighborhoods.

To get connected with one of our knowledgeable attorneys, contact us at 1 (855) 722-2552 for a free initial case consultation.

If you prefer to contact us online, fill out the ‘FREE CASE REVIEW’ form located at the top right hand corner of this page – it’s free to submit and completely confidential.