Car Accidents With Ambulances In California

According to data from the California Ambulance Association (CAA), there are 3,600 licensed ambulances throughout the state that are operated by 715 public and private ambulance services.

With so many ambulances navigating California’s already-congested streets, it only increases the risk of serious accidents. If you find yourself in such an unfortunate situation, you might be wondering what legal options you have to cover your injuries.

Experienced Emergency Vehicle Accident Lawyers in California

When you or a loved one have been injured in an accident with an ambulance, you can rely on the experienced California emergency vehicle accident lawyers at Maison Law. We know how serious these accidents can be and how hard it can be to figure out who’s responsible.

Through our extensive knowledge of California law, we’ll help you file a claim or lawsuit against the ambulance authority or driver for financial support. While filing against a government agency can sometimes be complex, we’ll make sure you get the support you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Who Owns and Operates Ambulances in California?

Virtually every driver in California knows what an ambulance is, with its markings, box-shape, and sirens. What you may not realize is that these emergency vehicles are owned and operated by a variety of different companies or services:

• Private ambulance companies – Many ambulances in California are operated by private ambulance companies. These companies provide ambulance services to hospitals, healthcare facilities, and respond to emergency calls from individuals.
• City or county agencies – Some ambulance services are owned and operated by public agencies such as counties, cities, or fire departments. These public agencies may provide ambulance services directly to their communities or contract with private companies for these services.
• Hospitals – Some hospitals in California operate their own ambulance services to facilitate patient transfers between healthcare facilities and respond to emergencies within their service areas.
• Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) – Certain nonprofit organizations, such as volunteer rescue squads and humanitarian groups, may also operate ambulances in California to provide emergency medical services.

Requirements

Given the vital nature of their response and care, there are strict requirements in place for operating an ambulance in California. These requirements are set by both state and local authorities, and typically include:

• Licensing and certification – Ambulance services and providers must be licensed and certified by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). This includes both private and public ambulance providers.
• Ambulance equipment – Ambulances must be equipped with specific medical equipment and supplies to provide adequate patient care. These requirements are outlined in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 9.
• Training and certification of personnel – Ambulance personnel, including emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, must be properly trained and certified by the state. Certification programs are regulated by EMSA, and individuals must meet specific training and education requirements.
• Response and transportation protocols – Ambulance services must follow established protocols for responding to emergency calls, providing patient care, and transporting patients to appropriate healthcare facilities.
• Vehicle safety standards – Ambulances must meet safety standards and undergo regular inspections to ensure that they are safe for patient transport.
• Medical direction – Ambulance services must have medical direction, often provided by a licensed physician, to ensure that patient care protocols are followed.
• Compliance with the law – Ambulance providers in California must also comply with federal laws, such as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), in addition to California regulations.

Depending on who owns and operates the ambulance, if there’s an accident there could be questions relating to Insurance and liability. Generally, they are required to have liability insurance coverage to protect patients and the public in case of accidents or injuries during transport. That said, accidents with these vehicles are more frequent than you might expect.

What Causes Accidents With Ambulances in California?

While they have different requirements and are even exempt from some traffic laws in California, an ambulance is ultimately like any other vehicle on the road in terms of underlying causes of accidents. Accidents involving ambulances in California can occur for various reasons, similar to accidents involving other types of vehicles. Some common causes of accidents with ambulances in the state include:

• Speed and reckless driving – Ambulance drivers often need to respond quickly to emergencies, but this urgency can lead to accidents if they don’t drive safely. Speeding, running red lights, and aggressive driving can be contributing factors.
• Distracted driving – Like any other drivers, ambulance personnel can be distracted by phones, radios, or other devices while driving, which can impair their ability to react to traffic conditions.
• Fatigue – Ambulance crews often work long shifts and irregular hours, which can lead to driver fatigue. Fatigued drivers are less alert and responsive, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Weather conditions – Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, fog, or ice, can make driving hazardous for ambulances, just as it does for other vehicles.
• Mechanical failures – Ambulances are subject to mechanical failures like any other vehicles. Brake failures, engine problems, or tire blowouts can lead to accidents.
• Inadequate training – Inexperienced or inadequately trained ambulance drivers may struggle to navigate traffic safely, especially during emergency responses.
• Intersection collisions – Ambulances frequently have to navigate intersections with flashing lights and sirens, which can increase the risk of collisions with other vehicles that may not yield the right of way or misjudge the ambulance’s approach.
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents – Ambulances are large vehicles with limited visibility, and accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists can occur if they are not noticed in time.
• Driver error – Human error, such as misjudging distances, failing to check blind spots, or making incorrect decisions, can lead to accidents involving ambulances.
• Actions of other drivers – Sometimes, accidents involving ambulances are caused by the actions of other drivers on the road, such as failing to yield the right of way, making sudden lane changes, or not reacting appropriately to the presence of an emergency vehicle.

While a car accident with an ambulance is certainly unique, it certainly raises questions of who is responsible–in the event that you’re injured and your negligence didn’t cause the accident. So, when it comes to these types of accidents in California, the circumstances that led to the accident are of the utmost importance to your legal options.

Legal Options After a Car Accident With an Ambulance in California

To understand what your legal options are after being involved in a car accident with an ambulance in California, it’s important to establish some baselines. First and foremost, when you’ve been injured in an accident that was the result of someone else’s negligence–even if it was an ambulance driver–you have the right to file a claim for damages.

Still, the starting point for any claim is figuring out who is responsible for the accident to begin with. If it’s the ambulance driver, it then depends on who the driver works for. If it’s a private ambulance service, the claim will be fairly straightforward: you’ll file against the driver and the company. However, if the ambulance is operated by the city or county, you’ll have to file against the government entity.

While this can bring its own challenges, our team of experienced emergency vehicle accident lawyers can help you:

• Gather your medical records and other documentation to show how much you’ve suffered.
• Looking into the details of your accident.
• Figuring out who’s responsible for your accident and helping you file a claim against them.

With that established,  you can then proceed through the actual legal process of recovering financial support for your injuries. These are known as “damages.”

Damages

Being hurt in a car accident can lead to extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, resulting in the need to cover medical expenses and take time off work for recovery. These costs are the primary components of any legal claim. In California, when pursuing legal options, whether through an insurance claim or a lawsuit, you may potentially recover costs relating to the following:

• Medical services and bills
• Physical and emotional suffering.
• Psychological anguish and distress.
• Lost wages or reduced earning potential.
• The strain on personal relationships.
• Decreased overall life satisfaction.
• Expenses in the event of a fatality due to the accident.

The specific financial support you can recover depends on the circumstances of the accident and your unique situation. Thus, it’s vital to work with our team of  experienced emergency vehicle accident lawyers who know how to approach these cases. We can provide guidance through the legal process and ensure you take all necessary steps to secure the support and benefits you are entitled to under California law.

Work With Our California Emergency Vehicle Accident Lawyers

When you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you need experienced legal support. At Maison Law, our team is here to offer the legal support you need. We understand the challenges you face following an injury from an accident with an ambulance in California.

Our team of dedicated and experienced lawyers will be by your side throughout the legal process, ensuring you receive the support and resolution you deserve. Don’t wait–contact us today to set up a free consultation.