Ambulance accidents happen for a variety of reasons, including driver negligence, equipment failure, and improper vehicle maintenance. These dangerous collisions can cause severe injuries or death, leaving victims and their families emotionally and financially devastated.
After a collision with an ambulance, you may qualify for financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, recovering the money you deserve can be challenging, which is why you may need a Lafayette ambulance accident lawyer.
An attorney from Laborde Earles could investigate the crash and help you pursue a fair settlement or court award. Learn more during a free consultation with our truck accident lawyer in Lafayette, who handles these cases.
What Are Some Common Causes of Ambulance Accidents?
As emergency first responders, EMTs have a critical duty to transport patients safely and efficiently during medical emergencies. However, even trained professionals can make mistakes that lead to accidents.
Common accident causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Other motorists driving recklessly or failing to yield
- Mechanical failures
While on-the-job pressures are intense for first responders, they still have a duty to watch out for others on the road. When they don’t, devastating accidents can occur. A Lafayette personal injury lawyer could assist you in pursuing a fair settlement if an EMT, paramedic, or ambulance driver injured you.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientWho Is Liable for a Louisiana Ambulance Accident?
Multiple parties may share liability in a Louisiana ambulance accident due to the state’s comparative fault law. The ambulance driver and their employer may bear responsibility if they drive carelessly or recklessly. Other motorists can also be liable if they fail to yield to an emergency vehicle or otherwise contribute to a crash.
Liability may extend to the company responsible for maintaining the ambulance if improper upkeep or mechanical failure played a role.
Additionally, government agencies overseeing roadways and traffic signals may be implicated if poor infrastructure contributed to the crash. With so many possibilities, a thorough investigation is critical to achieving a fair outcome in your case.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientWhat Kind of Compensation Is Available in a Lafayette Accident Claim?
Being injured in an ambulance accident can be costly. Fortunately, Louisiana law allows victims to pursue several types of compensatory damages through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Common damages that may be available in your case include:
- Medical expenses: This covers the cost of hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, prescriptions, and other medical care required to treat injuries.
- Lost income: This refers to compensation for wages lost due to missed work during recovery and treatment.
- Property damage: This damage covers repairs or replacement costs of property damaged in the crash, such as a claimant’s vehicle.
- Pain and suffering: This broad category refers to monetary compensation for non-economic losses like physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the incident.
- Loss of enjoyment: In serious accidents, this non-economic damage addresses the victim’s reduced ability to participate in hobbies, activities, and quality of life due to a permanent disability.
- Loss of consortium: This damage compensates the spouse of an injured claimant for the effect of the accident on their marital relationship.
Pursuing financial compensation can alleviate the financial impact of an ambulance collision, and knowledgeable legal representation maximizes your recovery across all applicable damage categories.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientCan I Sue After an Ambulance Accident?
Whether an ambulance is a publicly or privately run service impacts your ability to file a lawsuit. Government-dispatched emergency vehicles generally have legal protections, assuming the driver was appropriately responding to a 911 call.
However, immunity is not guaranteed and necessitates a case-specific analysis by an experienced attorney. Privately owned ambulances lack the same protections and must adhere to traffic laws without exception. Their drivers undergo less rigorous training and oversight, increasing the likelihood of negligent behavior.
Private ambulance companies may be held liable for inadequate safety protocols and supervision. That said, for both public and private services, the specific circumstances surrounding the incident determine if a lawsuit is viable. A Lafayette ambulance accident lawyer from Laborde Earles can evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientDo I Really Need a Lafayette Ambulance Accident Lawyer?
Ambulance accidents often cause devastating injuries and financial stress that warrant significant financial compensation. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to someone else’s negligence, an attorney can fight for the maximum amount of money available.
Key signs you need legal representation include:
- Severe injuries that require ongoing medical treatment
- Inability to work and mounting medical bills
- Lowball settlement offers that fail to cover your losses
- Insurance delays or denial of your claim
An experienced lawyer understands the complex legal issues surrounding ambulance crashes. They can handle the insurance negotiation or personal injury lawsuit so that you can focus on healing. Qualified representation levels the playing field against powerful insurance companies, corporations, and government entities.
Our attorneys work tirelessly to maximize client compensation through meticulous investigation, skillful negotiation, and the willingness to take cases to court if needed.
Talk to an Ambulance Accident Lawyer in Lafayette, LA
An ambulance accident can leave you with severe injuries, lost income, and crushing medical debt. Yet securing fair compensation involves navigating complex legal issues. Our team could handle everything for you while you relax and focus on other things.
Don’t face the aftermath of an ambulance collision alone. Our Lafayette ambulance accident lawyer can gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for you in court if necessary.
With Laborde Earles on your side, you can recover from your injuries while we pursue the maximum compensation available in your case. Justice depends on holding ambulance drivers and companies to the highest safety standards. Contact us today for a free consultation.
