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Houston Ambulance Accident Lawyer

Houston Ambulance Accident Attorneys

Houston Ambulance Accident Attorneys

When seconds can mean the difference between life and death, an ambulance can provide vital assistance, transporting the critically injured to the nearest emergency room or hospital. This commonly means that ambulance drivers need to exceed the speed limit, run stop signs and red lights, weave through traffic, and engage in other dangerous driving habits.

These risky and unpredictable maneuvers can make ambulances – and the vehicles they share the road with – highly vulnerable to accidents. Ironically, this can result in ambulances actually causing injuries and harm, rather than helping those who have been hurt.

At the Amaro Law Firm, our lawyers work with ambulance car accident victims to help them seek justice and recover from their injuries.

Ambulance accidents often happen at high speeds and have catastrophic outcomes. Filing a claim in the aftermath can be the first step on the road to recovery.

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Common Causes of Ambulance Accidents

Any number of factors can cause an ambulance accident. In some cases, these factors may be unpredictable and/or unpreventable.  In others, preventable negligence can cause or contribute to these crashes.

Some examples of negligence that can play a role in causing ambulance accidents include:

  • Ambulance driver negligence – When sirens are on and ambulances are responding to emergencies, ambulance drivers can have some leeway with traffic laws (in that they can travel at higher speeds, run stop signs, etc.). This, however, does not mean that ambulance drivers are exempt from complying with traffic laws or from taking the proper safety precautions (regardless of whether sirens are on). Ambulance driver negligence that can cause crashes may include (and is not restricted to):
    • Failure to activate emergency lights and/or sirens
    • Distracted driving, which can prevent these drivers from seeing and properly responding to other motorists and the driving environment in general
    • Driving while impaired, which can include driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs or driving while fatigued, both of which can impair drivers’ perception and reaction times.
  • The negligence of other motorists – In some cases, passenger vehicle drivers or other motorists can cause ambulance accidents. Typically, this type of negligence can involve:
    • Failure to pull over when ambulance sirens and lights are activated, which can result from driver inexperience, impairment, or distraction
    • Otherwise failing to abide by traffic laws in the presence of an ambulance.
  • Ambulance provider negligence – Companies that own and operate ambulances (and employ ambulance drivers) may also be liable for the accidents involving these emergency vehicles. For instance, ambulance providers can be liable if or when:
    • They hire drivers with a history of reckless driving and/or violating traffic laws.
    • They fail to properly train drivers or equip them with the necessary safety equipment.
    • They fail to properly maintain their vehicles.
    • Their policies or procedures (or a lack of them) increase the risk of ambulance crashes.
  • Other forms of negligence – Depending on the details of an ambulance accident, various other parties may also be liable for these crashes. For example:
    • Vehicle equipment makers can be liable if equipment failures or malfunctions contribute to these crashes.
    • Counties, municipalities, etc. can be liable if dangerous road conditions were a factor.
    • Hospitals can be liable if their policies or procedures contribute to ambulance accidents.

Please be aware that multiple parties can be liable for a single ambulance accident.

Ambulance Accident Statistics & Injuries
Recovering from an Ambulance Accident: How an Attorney Can Help You