Los Angeles Medical Transport Accident Attorneys

Medical transport services are utilized to transport individuals who are disabled or otherwise have limited mobility (frequently elderly) from their home or nursing home to their doctor's office, outpatient care clinic, dialysis center or other medical care facility.  Medical transport services are often referred to as non-emergency ambulance services. Non-emergency ambulance transportation is often used if the patient is bed-confined or unable to walk.  Employees of medical transport companies usually have at least basic EMT or paramedic training, and must be licensed.

Patients may be injured because the medical transport company employee does not safely secure the patient for travel, or because of an automobile accident or collision. Patients may also be injured when left unattended, even just momentarily, on sidewalks, in parking lots, or medical office buildings and nursing homes. Patients injured due to the negligent actions of medical transport company employees may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, or the wrongful death of a family member.

Medical Transport Vehicle Common Carrier Duty of Care

Because medical transport vehicles advertise their services to the general public and accept payment for transportation services, they may be considered common carriers.  Under CA Civ. Code § 2100, "a carrier of persons for reward must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill." The California Book of Standard Civil Jury Instructions provides the standard test for what constitutes a common carrier.  Regarding passengers with disabilities, if the common carrier voluntarily accepts the passenger and is aware of that passenger’s condition, it must use as much additional care as is reasonably necessary to ensure the passenger’s safety. (CA Civil Jury Instructions 904).

Los Angeles Ambulance Accidents

A seriously ill or seriously injured person who needs an ambulance will rely upon the vehicle and crew to take him or her to the hospital as quickly as possible. Ambulance drivers often race across the city at high speeds to get the person to the hospital as fast as possible. Consequently, ambulances are sometimes involved in serious high-speed collisions with other vehicles, which may lead to additional injury or death to ambulance passengers.  If you have been hurt in an ambulance accident in Los Angeles, contact Estey & Bomberger for a free consultation to see how our firm can help you.

Ambulance and Medical Transport Accident Injuries

Ambulance accidents and medical transport accidents can leave victims with a number of very serious and catastrophic injuries, including:

1. Bone fracture injuries
2. Burn injuries
3. Concussion
4. Internal organ damage
5. Spinal cord injuries
6. Traumatic brain injuries
7. Wrongful death

The Los Angeles auto accident lawyers at Estey & Bomberger represent victims of serious personal injury and wrongful death in Southern California. If you have been hurt in a Los Angeles ambulance crash or medical transport accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today to speak with an attorney about your legal rights. We are available to discuss your case 24 hours a day.