Medical Transportation Accident
Transportation Litigation Attorney in Philadelphia, PA
Transportation is a part of our daily lives. Using these big metal machines to move from one place to another is unavoidable, from trucks to public buses. However, with the increased use of these automobiles come increased accidents and injuries.
If you or a family member has been involved in an incident while using non-emergency medical transportation in Pennsylvania, you may need the help of an experienced transportation litigation attorney. The Villari Firm has the experience and knowledge of transportation law to help you through this difficult time.
We have represented many transportation clients who have been injured while using non-emergency medical transportation. Our experience gives us knowledge of the ins and outs of this complicated process. Contact our Philadelphia law office today for a consultation. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you believe your child’s birth injury, condition, or death was caused by medical negligence, contact The Villari Firm, PLLC for a free consultation. Call 215-372-8889.
Why Do I Need a Transportation Litigation Attorney in Pennsylvania?
When it comes to finding a Pennsylvania transportation litigation attorney, there are certain qualities you should look for. The attorney should:
Have experience in medical transportation lawsuits,
Be knowledgeable about transportation laws and personal injury laws, and
Be able to effectively represent their transportation clients.
The Villari Firm possesses all of these qualities and more. Our law firm’s attorneys have successfully represented plaintiffs and defendants in non-emergency medical transportation cases. We have the experience and knowledge necessary to get our transportation clients the best possible outcome in their cases.
The transportation industry in the United States has the money to hire an army of attorneys for their defense. You need the best lawyer on your side to fight for you and get the justice you deserve.
If you have legal transportation matters, then The Villari Firm is the best law firm for you. Call our Philadelphia transportation lawyers for sound legal counsel and reliable representation.
What Is Non-Emergency Medical Transportation?
Non-emergency medical transportation, or NEMT, is defined by Pennsylvania law as “the transport of individuals who have a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being able to transport themselves and who do not need the level of care provided by an ambulance service.”
NEMT motor carrier services are vital for those who need assistance getting to and from routine doctor’s appointments, dialysis treatments, physical therapy sessions, and other necessary medical appointments. Without NEMT services, many Pennsylvania residents would be unable to receive the care they need.
What Services Do Medical Transportation Companies Provide?
There’s no doubt that NEMT services play a vital role in ensuring that our clients who need medical care can get to their appointments. For many people, this form of transportation is the only way to access the care they need. However, as with any commercial motor vehicle transportation, there is always the potential for accidents. NEMT vehicles are often different from other types of mass transit vehicles on the road, which means that when accidents do happen, they can be catastrophic.
Although many people only think of emergency treatment when they think of medical transport, many patients use these services for other purposes. Non-emergency medical transport vehicles, such as vans, buses, and ambulances, are frequently used for the following purposes:
- Urgent Care – An injury or other ailment that needs rapid medical attention but is not life-threatening.
- Regular doctor’s appointments – If their loved ones cannot transport them, medical transport services can assist elderly and disabled patients in regularly visiting their physician’s office.
- X-rays and other diagnostic tests – A Pennsylvania patient could need an x-ray or other diagnostic testing. Still, they might not be able to get to the appointment without the help of a medical transport provider.
- Physical therapy – If a person is injured and frequently can’t walk, they will likely need help getting to their physical therapy sessions.
- Other outpatient appointments – In addition, if a patient needs to go outpatient for chemotherapy or dialysis, a medical transport business may be useful in ensuring they arrive safely and on time.
Call 215-372-8889 to speak to our experienced trial lawyer to find out if your child’s injuries qualify for compensation!
What Are the Types of Accidents in Medical Transport?
Depending on who was at fault for the collision-the driver of the other car or the driver of the medical van-a medical transport accident may involve a collision with another vehicle. Alternatively, due to the transport or trucking company’s poor handling and care, a medical transport patient may also get injuries from slipping and falling inside the van.
Accidents involving medical transportation include:
- A medical delivery van strikes another car.
- They are dropped when a passenger is loaded or unloaded from the vehicle.
- The passenger is hurt as a result of a broken wheelchair lift.
- The medical van driver or attendant improperly restrained the passenger, causing them to be tossed around inside the vehicle during sudden stops or rapid twists.
In either case, what party can be held accountable for the injured transportation clients’ damages? This can include medical bills and pain and suffering, depending on the type of medical transport accident.
What Is a Common Carrier?
Pennsylvania transportation law designates medical transport vans as “common carriers.” As such, these businesses are held to a higher standard of care than regular motorists regarding their passengers.
If a client is harmed while in the care of a medical transport van, they may have a better chance of success in court if they file suit against the company. This is because it is easier to prove that the company was negligent in its duty of care.
Suppose it can be shown that the company violated certain federal laws and regulations, such as those set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In that case, this may also work in favor of the plaintiff.
What Causes Medical Transportation Accidents?
While public transportation can be a convenient and cost-effective way to get around, it comes with its fair share of risks. In Pennsylvania, there have been several instances of people being seriously injured while using public transportation. In one instance, the car driver let too many patients ride along. He accelerated over a speed bump, throwing a rider with disabilities into the air. She sustained severe spinal wounds.
Another instance included a driver who neglected to lock the wheelchair inside the van. When the van began to move, the wheelchair tipped over onto a woman’s arm, seriously injuring her and causing damage to an already present shunt.
These are two examples of how easily things can go wrong when using public transportation. A client who uses medical transportation can risk injury from the following:
- Not securing the patient
- Collision with another car
- Loading mishaps
- Unloading mishaps
- Chairlift mishaps
- Leaving patients inside vehicles unattended
- Excessive heat or cold exposure
- Exposure to risky or harmful circumstances
If any of these happen to you, you may be a transportation client with a potential personal injury claim. Call our esteemed Philadelphia law firm today to discuss the merits of your case.
How Is Liability Determined in a Medical Transportation Accident?
Patients who require non-emergency medical transportation services rely on these businesses to uphold their promise of safe and reliable transport. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania medical transportation companies can make poor decisions that cause severe harm to their passengers.
Medical transportation businesses may be careless in the following ways:
- Using untrained drivers
- Vehicle maintenance issues
- Faulty or insufficiently maintained medical apparatus
- Elevators installed incorrectly
A Pennsylvania transportation litigation attorney could provide sound legal advice and representation if you or a loved one were injured in a non-emergency medical transportation accident. In Pennsylvania, a cause of action called “common law negligence” can be used to get money from the driver and/or the transportation company.
Pennsylvania also has a statutory cause of action against the driver and/or the business for failing to secure a wheelchair or medical device properly. Depending on the circumstances, these actions can be filed in either state or federal court.
Compensation Claims for Your Losses and Injuries
If a Pennsylvania resident is injured in a commercial motor vehicle driver accident, you may wonder about your legal options. Medical transportation drivers owe their passengers a reasonable duty of care, and any violation of this duty can constitute negligence. If you have been injured due to the negligence of a medical transportation driver, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical costs
- The price of rehabilitation services
- Travel to and from upcoming appointments
- Any monetary losses resulting from your accident
- Distress and suffering
alterations to your standard of living
funeral costs and a loss of friendship (for wrongful death lawsuits)
Call Our Philadelphia Medical Transportation Accident Attorneys Now!
Transportation law can be quite complex. If you have been charged with a transportation-related offense in Pennsylvania, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side. You need the best lawyers to fight for you to win your case! The Villari Firm has helped transportation industry clients win lawsuits in several cases, and we can help you do the same.
We understand the complex laws and regulations governing Pennsylvania’s transportation system, and we will work tirelessly to protect your rights. Contact our law firm today to meet with our experienced Philadelphia transportation litigation attorney.
There are no fees unless/until we recover compensation for you. Call 215-372-8889 or contact us online to get started with a free case review today.
