Ambulance Accident Attorney in Houma

How Are Ambulance Accidents Different?

Ambulance and EMS vehicles operate under special traffic rules, but that does not mean they are above the law. Drivers generally have permission to proceed through intersections or travel at higher speeds when responding to emergencies, but they still must act with reasonable care for others on the road. Sorting out how those rules apply in a specific crash often requires careful investigation and a detailed understanding of the law, as well as how these types of personal injury cases work.

Different Types of Ambulance Accidents Can Affect Who Is Responsible

We see several common scenarios in ambulance injury cases:

• On-Call Crashes: Ambulances may be involved in collisions with other motorists when responding to a call. This often occurs within intersections but can also happen as ambulances move quickly through flowing traffic. 
• Patient Transportation Accidents: Another common type of ambulance accident involves crashes that occur while a patient is being transported. The ambulance might collide with another vehicle or lose control, leading to injuries.
• Non-Collision Incidents: There are also situations where a patient or family member is injured inside the ambulance. This can happen because of sudden movements, unsecured equipment during the trip, and other factors.

Legal responsibility, or “liability,” in these cases can involve one or more different parties. For example, an ambulance driver could be liable if they drove in a particularly reckless or negligent manner. The ambulance driver's employer could also share some (or all) of the blame if they engaged in negligent practices, such as improper hiring practices or poor employee training. Even a parish or municipal entity responsible for overseeing emergency services could be liable if it acted negligently in some way. To make matters even more complicated, the specific rules that apply may differ depending on whether the service is hospital based, privately operated, or run by a local government body.

Crash-Related Injuries Can Be Difficult to Identify & Prove

Ambulance accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from bone fractures to head trauma to spinal injuries, internal damage, and burns. One unique scenario is that ambulance collisions can aggravate conditions that existed before the crash. Patients being transported by ambulance are already experiencing medical emergencies. A crash can worsen symptoms, cause new injuries, and lead to delays in treatment that may in turn cause new or worsened outcomes. Because the people involved were already ill or hurt, it can be difficult to separate the effects of the collision from the original medical problem without a careful review of existing records and professional medical analysis.

When you work with Waitz & Downer, we take time to understand the full picture. We review police reports, medical records, both before and after the crash, and any available photographs of the scene or eyewitness statements. We look at how your injuries have affected your finances, your day-to-day life, your ability to work, and your future medical needs. Our experience with complex injury cases helps us identify potential sources of recovery and negotiate with insurance adjusters or other liable parties for maximum compensation.

What To Do After An Ambulance Accident in Houma

In the immediate aftermath of an ambulance accident, it can be difficult to know what to do. You may be in pain, worried about someone you love, or unsure whether you should question what happened. Taking a few careful steps can help protect both your health and your legal rights.

1. Your first priority should be getting medical care. If you are not already receiving treatment, seek an evaluation as soon as possible, even if your symptoms seem minor. Injuries from a collision can be masked by shock or existing medical issues, and early documentation often becomes important later. Keep copies of discharge papers, prescriptions, and any instructions you receive.
2. Report the accident to law enforcement (if they did not arrive at the scene) and request a copy of the report. There may also be EMS or ambulance service records that describe the transport and the crash. These documents can help clarify what happened, including the route taken and the conditions at the time of impact.
3. If possible, try to gather basic information. This can include the ambulance company name, the unit number, contact details for other drivers, and names and phone numbers for witnesses. Photos of the scene, vehicle positions, and visible injuries can be helpful. We understand that this is not always possible, and our attorneys can often work to obtain missing information later.
4. Be cautious about giving detailed or recorded statements to insurance carriers or other investigators before you understand your rights. It may not be clear yet who is responsible for the crash, and early comments can be misunderstood or taken out of context. You are allowed to ask for time to speak with an attorney first.
5. Most importantly, reach out to an ambulance accident lawyer in Houma as soon as you can. When you contact us for a free consultation, we can review what is already documented and help you decide on next steps. Our goal is to shoulder as much of the legal burden as possible, so you can focus on healing.

How Our Ambulance Accident Attorneys Can Support Your Recovery

Reaching out to an attorney after an ambulance crash can feel like one more burden during an already difficult time, but at Waitz & Downer, we work to make that first step as simple and comfortable as possible. During your free, confidential consultation, we listen to your story, review any information you have, and answer your questions without rushing you or pushing you to make quick decisions. If you decide to move forward with us, our team takes on many of the legal and insurance issues so you do not have to manage them alone. We may gather additional records, coordinate with insurers, and monitor important deadlines on your behalf.

Throughout the process, we strive to keep you informed in clear, straightforward terms. We return calls quickly, explain new developments, and check in regularly, so you know what is happening with your case and feel supported each step of the way. We recognize that your claim is about more than just paperwork. Our team understands the human side of your recovery. We take the time to learn how the crash has affected your daily routines, family responsibilities, and plans for the future. Our goal is to help you pursue compensation that reflects both your immediate needs and the lasting impact of your injuries.

From the first meeting to the resolution of your case, we work to treat you with the same care and respect we would want for our own families. If you are unsure whether you have a claim, or if you just need clear answers about your options, we invite you to contact us and talk through what happened with a knowledgeable and compassionate ambulance accident lawyer in Houma.