Ambulance drivers are allowed to navigate traffic differently than passenger vehicles but must also adhere to speed limits and drive responsibly. If you or a loved one was injured in an ambulance accident, the other driver’s actions could entitle you to financial compensation.
Florida laws describe the ambulance’s responsibilities and your rights as the injured party. Our Florida car accident lawyers can explain how Florida laws address ambulance accidents and what you need to know about seeking fair compensation for your injuries.
What You Need to Know About Florida Emergency Vehicle Accident Regulations
Ambulances are emergency vehicles, allowed to disregard some—but not all—rules of the road when acting in an emergency capacity. According to Florida Statutes § 316.072, an ambulance en route to an emergency or transporting a patient to a medical facility is allowed to:
- Park, stop, or stand in otherwise prohibited areas
- Disregard a red light or stop sign only after reducing speed and assessing the intersection for safety
- Exceed the posted speed limits, drive, and turn in any direction necessary if doing so does not pose a risk to life or property
Like all other vehicles on the road, ambulances must consider all other drivers and pedestrians when deciding which actions to take. If you were injured in an ambulance collision, our lawyers can help you establish whether the ambulance driver adhered to all Florida ambulance accident regulations.
Commonly Reported Causes of Ambulance Versus Vehicle Accidents
Causes of ambulance accidents can include:
- Failure to use lights and sirens when warranted
- Lack of proper driver training or experience
- Extended work hours leading to driver fatigue
- Not checking for other vehicles when speeding
- Not checking for cars or pedestrians at intersections
An accident can also happen when an ambulance veers to avoid one car and inadvertently hits another car. Uncovering the cause of your accident can require legal guidance and support, and preparing your car accident claim means launching a thorough investigation. Our car accident attorneys can help you collect the evidence you need to prove the accident’s cause and your right to financial recovery.
Our Law Firm Can Clarify Your Ambulance Accident Legal Rights Florida
Fighting for financial recovery after an accident is a long and involved process. When an ambulance is involved in an accident, the case can become more complicated. You do not have to navigate this legal process on your own. Our personal injury lawyers can:
- Document the cause of the accident
- Clarify Florida emergency vehicle accident laws
- Assess your potential monetary damages
- Build a strong collection of evidence
- Draft and file your insurance claim or lawsuit
- Handle all case-related communication
- Negotiate a favorable monetary settlement
To document your injury claim, we can also prove the ambulance driver was at fault for the accident. That means proving the legal elements of negligence, including duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
What You Need to Know About Proving Negligence in an Ambulance Crash
A solid collection of evidence can help you prove the cause and subsequent costs of the accident. Your case file can include:
- Medical records that document your injuries
- Eyewitness statements from varying viewpoints
- Law enforcement reports, such as materials from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)
- Photos of the accident scene and both vehicles
- Traffic, surveillance, and dashcam footage
- Proof of income
- Car repair or replacement bills
Hiring our lawyers can help you compile evidence and keep your case focused and on track even when your injuries prevent you from participating in your case as fully as you would like.
Legal Guidance for Ambulance Accidents in Florida Can Result in Compensation
Florida emergency vehicle accident laws do not prevent you from recovering damages if you and our legal team prove the required elements of negligence. Non-economic or intangible damages can be difficult to document and assess on your own. The non-economic compensation you can recover includes:
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Physical disability
- Physical disfigurement
Economic Damages Are Also Available After an Ambulance Crash
Economic or tangible damages are typically more easily documented. The economic compensation you can recover includes:
- Current and ongoing medical care
- Current and ongoing lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Property damage or destruction
- Diminished property value
Filing a Wrongful Death Case in Florida
If your family lost a loved one in an ambulance accident, you could recover the following wrongful death damages:
- Funeral, burial, and cremation expenses
- Loss of your loved one’s financial support
- Loss of their contributions to your household
- Loss of consortium, companionship, and care
Our Florida wrongful death lawyers can assess your damages. We can also clarify who can take legal action and which family members can receive compensation.
The Impact of the Statute of Limitations on Your Ambulance Accident Lawsuit
You have a limited time to file your lawsuit after an accident:
- In general, Florida Statutes § 95.11 gives you two years to file your lawsuit against a privately owned and operated ambulance company.
- If the ambulance was a government or municipal one, you generally have six months from the date of the accident to present your claim in writing, according to Florida Statutes § 768.28(6)(a)(1).
If your ambulance accident lawsuit is not filed on time, you could lose the legal ability to file at all. Our lawyers can help you understand how Florida laws address ambulance accidents and what you need to know to secure justice.
Get a No-Cost, No-Obligation Review From Our Ambulance Accident Law Firm
If you or someone you love was injured in an ambulance accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Our car accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation from a government entity or privately owned ambulance company.
You do not have to navigate this potentially complex case without legal support. Contact one of our team members at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato by calling (954) 633-8270 for your free case review. By the end of the call, you will know how Florida laws address ambulance accidents and what you need to know to protect your rights.
