Filing an Ambulance Accident Claim
Las Vegas, Nevada
Accident involving ambulance
If you and somebody you know got injured in an accident involving the ambulance, call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.
We don't charge for consultations.
We represent clients in Las Vegas and Nevada.
An ambulance crash defined
Ambulances are emergency vehicles used to transport patients to hospitals or medical facilities, but unfortunately, they can also be involved in accidents like any other vehicle on the road.
An ambulance crash occurs when an ambulance collides with another vehicle, object, or pedestrians.
Often ambulance accidents happen at street intersections.
The 4 ambulance types
Various kinds of ambulances exist. Some common types include:
Traditional ambulances: Equipped with basic medical supplies, stretchers, and life support equipment to transport patients to medical facilities.
Neonatal ambulances: These ambulances transport premature or critically ill newborns safely.
Air ambulances: Helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft transport patients over long distances or in areas inaccessible by road.
Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICUs): These are advanced ambulances with additional medical equipment and highly trained medical staff to provide intensive care during transportation.
Are ambulances insured, and by whom?
Ambulance vehicles are typically insured, like any other motor vehicle on the road.
Commonly, government agencies, hospitals, private companies, or non-profit organizations run ambulance services.
The entity responsible for the ambulance service will purchase commercial auto insurance policies specifically designed for emergency vehicles like ambulances. These insurance policies typically provide coverage for liability in case of accidents, property damage, medical expenses, and bodily injury to passengers or other parties involved in an ambulance accident.
Why ambulance accidents are so dangerous?
Ambulances usually travel at high speeds to reach the scene of an accident or transport a patient to a medical facility. Ambulances are larger and heavier than most passenger vehicles, affecting maneuverability and stopping distances. In addition, when other drivers on the road hear the ambulance sirens or see flashing lights, they may panic or react unpredictably, potentially leading to dangerous situations on the road.
Finally, ambulances carry medical equipment and, in some cases, hazardous materials. A collision could lead to the spillage of harmful substances, posing risks to first responders, drivers, and pedestrians.
What is the cause of an ambulance accident?
• Ambulance accidents can happen for various reasons, but the most common is driver negligence. Like any other motorist, ambulance drivers can be careless or distracted, leading to accidents.
• Another common cause is the urgency of quickly reaching an emergency place, which may lead to ambulance drivers exceeding speed limits or taking risks.
• Working long hours contributes to ambulance accidents. Emergency response demands can lead to driver fatigue, impairing their ability to react to road conditions.
• Finally, other drivers may fail to yield to emergency vehicles or engage in reckless behavior around them.
Who is liable for an accident?
Responsibility for an accident might fall on the ambulance driver, the other driver involved, the ambulance company for inadequate training or maintenance, or even the local government for unsafe road conditions.
Who is paying for medical bills?
Under Nevada law, the liable party (or, in some cases, multiple liable parties) compensates for your medical bills (past, present, future) and all other damages. Ambulance accident cases are no exception to this rule.
If you are partially at fault
Nevada accepts the comparative negligence law, which means that if you are less than 51% at fault for an accident, you are still entitled to the settlement. Most ambulance accident cases are in this category.
Do all accidents involving ambulances result in a lawsuit?
No, not all accidents involving ambulances result in a lawsuit.
Insurance companies in Nevada pay many liability claims without the need for legal action.
When an ambulance is involved in an accident, the first step is determining the extent of damages and injuries. If there are no severe injuries or significant property damage, the parties involved may choose to settle the matter through their insurance companies.
Insurance companies for the ambulance, other vehicles, or other parties involved will investigate the accident, assess liability, and negotiate an accident compensation to cover the damages and medical expenses.
However, not all cases are straightforward.
When do the attorneys get involved?
Attorneys typically get involved when:
• The plaintiff seeks additional damages,
• There are disagreements about who is at fault,
• There are disagreements about the injury compensation amount.
If you have questions about your ambulance accident, call us at 702-432-1000.
How long does it take to settle an ambulance accident claim?
In Las Vegas and everywhere else in Nevada, the time to settle an ambulance accident case depends on its complexity and whether it goes to court. In some cases, attorneys can quickly resolve all issues through negotiations with insurance companies, while other situations may require lengthy litigation and could take months or even years to resolve.
Challenges in ambulance accident legal disputes
Ambulance accident cases can be complex due to various challenges, such as:
Conflicting accounts: Different witnesses may have varying perspectives of the ambulance accident, making establishing the sequence of events challenging.
Multiple parties involved: In some cases, multiple parties might share responsibility, making allocating blame and determining proper compensation challenging.
You are partially at fault: The percentage of the ambulance accident liability is hard to establish.
The 10 things to do if you get in an ambulance accident
If you get involved in a collision with an ambulance in Las Vegas or Nevada, follow these 10 steps to ensure the safety of everyone involved and handle the situation appropriately:
1. Check for injuries. First and foremost, check yourself and any passengers in your vehicle for injuries. If anyone is injured, call for emergency medical assistance.
2. Move to a safe location: If your vehicle is obstructing traffic or in a dangerous place, and you and your passengers are not seriously injured, move your car to the side of the road if possible.
3. Call for help. Contact the emergency services or the police to report the accident. Inform them that you were involved in a collision with an ambulance.
4. Exchange information. Exchange contact and insurance information with the ambulance driver and all other parties involved in the collision. Obtain the ambulance company's name, insurance information, and the driver's contact details.
5. Document an accident: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, the positions of the vehicles, and any visible damage.
6. Speak with witnesses: If there are witnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information and statements about what they saw. Their testimonies might be valuable in determining liability.
7. Seek medical attention: Even if you don't believe you are seriously injured, seeking medical attention after the accident is essential.
8. Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance company immediately and provide them with all the relevant information.
9. Don't apologize. Remember to remain calm and composed after the accident and avoid admitting fault. Let the authorities and insurance companies handle the investigation to determine liability properly.
10. Consult an attorney. We invite you to call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.
We can help
Our law firm handles thousands of motor vehicle accidents every year. We have the resources and knowledge to handle complex accidents involving ambulance vehicles.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if we get settlement money.
To discuss your case, call us at 702-432-1000 and ask for an attorney who handles ambulance accident lawsuits.
Consultations are free.
We represent clients in Las Vegas and Nevada.
Last updated on January 4, 2024.
