You can sue for damages after an accident with an ambulance, but obtaining compensation can be a complicated process. An ambulance owned and operated by a municipality could enjoy sovereign immunity, a legal principle that could relieve them of financial liability. Recovering damages could require that you prove gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing.
Questions like, “Can I sue for a car accident with an ambulance” and “How much is my case worth” are natural after a collision. They are not questions you have to answer on your own. A car accident lawyer will accept your case on contingency and help you build a strong case for financial recovery. With their support, you can recover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
An Ambulance Accident Attorney Can Help You Understand Sovereign Immunity
Sovereign immunity means that a government agency cannot be sued unless it allows it. This means you must notify the entity of your intention to sue. Sovereign immunity can also prevent you from suing for damages without proof of gross negligence or wrongdoing.
While you could attempt to handle your case on your own, it could benefit greatly if you choose to work with a car accident with ambulance attorney. They can:
- Track and record your recoverable damages
- Collect evidence that supports your case
- Handle all case-related communication
- Manage all paperwork and evidence
- Negotiate with the insurance adjuster
An attorney for ambulance crash cases will also provide updates as your case moves forward to ensure you are always up to date on its progress.
The Cost of Hiring an Attorney for Ambulance-Related Injuries
Most personal injury attorneys will represent you on contingency. You will pay nothing upfront and will only compensate your lawyer after they recover damages for you. If you do not get a financial award, you will not owe any fees at all.
Build a Solid Case File by Getting Legal Help for Ambulance Accident Cases
Suing for a car accident with an ambulance means proving the elements of negligence that allow you to file your lawsuit. These elements include:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
These damages are provable with a strong evidence collection. Hiring an attorney for suing ambulance company can help you gain access to evidence you might otherwise struggle to compile on your own.
Evidence That Proves the Accident’s Causes and Contributing Factors
This portion of your case file can include physical evidence and supporting documents such as:
- Medical records, including physical therapy, mental health care support, required medications, etc.
- Official reports, including police reports and ambulance company reports
- Photos of your injuries, the accident scene, the ambulance, your car, the road, traffic signs and signals, etc.
- Statements and testimonials from eyewitnesses and medical and financial experts, including an accident reconstructionist
- Repair and maintenance records for the ambulance involved in the collision
Working with an attorney for emergency vehicle accident claims can allow you to generate a comprehensive case file while focusing on your physical and emotional recovery.
Evidence That Proves the Accident’s Financial Expenses and Losses in Florida
When seeking compensation for an accident, you have to prove the requested damages and their financial value. This portion of your case file could contain:
- Medical, rehab, and therapy bills
- Employment and salary history records
- Receipts and invoices for in-home care
- Funeral home receipts, where applicable
- Deposition, discovery, and mediation costs
A financial compensation attorney for ambulance accident claims can help you obtain the evidence you need to support your compensation request.
Financial Compensation for Victims of Ambulance Versus Car Accidents
Obtaining compensatory damages can help you avoid financial hardship in the aftermath of a negligence-based accident. After proving the accident’s cause, an attorney for ambulance-related injuries can request compensation for the following:
- Economic damages: Past and future medical bills, rehabilitation and therapy, past and future lost income, loss of future earning ability, property damage, loss, or diminished value
- Non-economic damages: Limiting disabilities, disfiguring injuries, physical pain and suffering, inconvenience, mental and emotional trauma, and diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death damages: The costs of the decedent’s final arrangements, loss of their financial and familial contributions, and loss of consortium, companionship, and guidance
When you get legal representation for ambulance crash rather than fighting for damages alone, an ambulance collision attorney can establish the value of your potential compensation.
Compensation for an Ambulance Accident Could Come With Damage Limitations
According to Florida Statutes § 768.28(5), financial recovery in an insurance claim or lawsuit against a government agency is limited to $200,000. These damage caps may not apply to a private ambulance service that is not government-owned or operated. The best way to understand your compensation options is by working with a personal injury attorney for ambulance accident claims.
Florida’s Statutes of Limitations When Filing a Lawsuit Against a Municipality
All civil lawsuits are governed by a statute of limitations (filing deadline) that determines how much time you have to file your lawsuit. In general, when suing a municipality, Florida Statutes § 768.28(6)(a)(1) requires you to make written notification within six months of the date of the accident or the date of a loved one’s passing.
Additionally, Florida Statutes § 95.11 generally gives you two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. A misunderstood or misinterpreted filing deadline could prevent you from recovering damages. An attorney for medical vehicle accident cases can help you understand, accurately interpret, and comply with the applicable filing deadline.
Call (954) 633-8270 for a Free Review of Your Ambulance Accident Case
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident with a municipal or private ambulance, our law firm can clarify your financial recovery options. We can answer questions like, can I sue for a car accident with an ambulance, and what if my loved one did not survive the accident?
Our car accident team will treat you like family and handle your case with compassion and kindness from start to finish. Contact our consultation team at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato to learn more.
