Mobile Ambulance Accident Attorneys

Ambulance and other emergency vehicles have special privileges on the road, because they have a vital function to fulfill as they speed to rescue people and save lives. When on call, they have the right to drive through red lights, stop signs, and busy intersections — if they have their emergency lights on and sirens blaring – and all other vehicles are required to pull over and let them pass. However, they also have a duty to drive responsibly and avoid accidents.

When an ambulance is involved in a crash at high speeds, it is likely to result in serious injuries or death. Survivors may be left dealing with tremendous pain and suffering as well as the financial costs of surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication and ongoing care, at a time they may be unable to work.

If you or a loved one has been injured or someone has died in an accident with an ambulance due to another party’s negligence or fault, you may be entitled to compensation through insurance or a personal injury lawsuit. While no amount of money can fully make up for the repercussions of a serious accident, a fair settlement can at least alleviate your financial problems and allow you to concentrate on rebuilding your life.

However, Alabama ambulance cases are complicated, especially if the vehicles are owned by a government entity, and they may involve multiple parties. In addition, insurance companies and their lawyers will often try to deny claims, get you to settle for less than your case is worth, or make it seem as if the accident is your fault, so it is difficult to go up against them on your own. At this difficult time, when you should be focusing on your recovery, it can help to hire an experienced Mobile ambulance accident lawyer to fight for your rights and the settlement you deserve.

The Mobile ambulance accident attorneys at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana (CWA) are fully prepared to investigate your ambulance accident and hold the at-fault parties accountable.  We know Alabama laws, courts, and the system, and how to deal with insurance companies and their lawyers to achieve an optimum settlement.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and determine the best way to move forward, so call us today for your free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Why Choose Our Ambulance Accident Lawyers

When looking for a lawyer, you should seek one you trust and feel comfortable with, who also has the experience and resources necessary to investigate, negotiate, and litigate complicated ambulance accident personal injury claims.  Here are some reasons why we feel Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana is your best choice:

• Our seasoned attorneys have the experienced you need. Attorneys C. Randall Caldwell, Jr., Drew Wenzel and Dee Asthana have more than 25 years of combined legal experience and are seasoned trial veterans with a long record of success both in and out of the courtroom.
• We have outstanding client victories and proven case results getting the largest payouts possible. We win big, including an $8,000,000 medical malpractice case.
• We come highly recommended by many satisfied clients.
• We offer an attractive attorney referral program and receive referrals from our esteemed colleagues, past clients, lawyers, and judges.
• We know how to deal with insurance companies and how to negotiate to settle most cases out of court, but we are also successful litigators fully prepared to take your case to trial.
• We are available. When you hire us, you receive our full attention, compassion, and commitment to see the case through to a successful conclusion.
• We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and there are no fees to you unless and until we win your case.

How Our Ambulance Injury Attorneys Work for You

Time is of the essence when dealing with ambulance accidents, as it is important to gather evidence before it can be lost. When you retain Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana, we start working for you immediately.  We will:

• Meet with you to hear how the ambulance accident happened, determine who is responsible for the accident, and estimate what your case should be worth
• Ensure that you get proper medical treatment and that all injuries are documented
• Investigate to gather and preserve evidence, such as from damage to the ambulance and other vehicles, photos and videos from traffic cameras, police and medical records and reports, and interviews with witnesses and first responders
• File all required paperwork and forms
• Hire accident reconstruction experts to testify as to fault and life-care experts to estimate the costs and extent of your injuries and the effects on your life into the future
• Handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies and opposition attorneys to come up with an agreement for a fair settlement
• Build your case and advocate for you in court before a judge and jury if necessary.

Ambulance Accident Lawyers in Mobile, AL, Must Prove Negligence

While Alabama law provides certain immunities for ambulance drivers when they are engaged in their official duties, this immunity is not absolute and will depend on the circumstances of the case. Our Mobile ambulance injury attorneys would have to show how the law applies in your individual situation and produce evidence to show that another party or entity, the defendant in the case, was negligent, at fault for causing the accident, and therefore liable for your damages.

Proving negligence legally means showing the existence of the following elements:

• Duty: The defendant owed you a duty of care not to cause harm.
• Breach: The defendant breached that duty through actions or failure to act.
• Cause: This breach caused the accident that injured you.
• Damages: You suffered damages as a result.

In some cases, there may be multiple parties who may be held liable, including:

• The ambulance driver, who may have been driving recklessly, such as by speeding, running red lights, driving while distracted or impaired, or failing to yield the right of way
• Other vehicles, drivers, or pedestrians who may have been involved in and contributed to the accident
• The ambulance company for reasons such as failing to conduct proper ambulance maintenance or failing to properly investigate, hire, and train drivers
• The manufacturer of an ambulance part that failed and caused the collision.

Our attorneys would look to find all possible negligent parties, as they all may have insurance and assets that could go toward a settlement.

Damages Our Ambulance Accident Lawyers May Recover

In a successful Mobile ambulance accident case, our attorneys may recover compensation for the losses that resulted from the crash.  Referred to as “damages” in legal terms, these losses may include compensation for both your economic or monetary damages and also your “non-economic” damages that do not have a specific dollar value but negatively impact your quality of life, including:

• Costs of medical and rehabilitation care, medications, and medical devices and equipment
• Modifications to your home or vehicle, such as to accommodate a wheelchair
• Property damage to your vehicle and other property resulting from the accident
• Lost income and future income if you can’t work
• Physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering, depression, and anxiety
• Loss of quality of life and consortium.

Ambulance Accident Lawyers in Mobile, AL, Answer FAQs

After a serious accident, you are bound to have many questions.  These are best addressed at your free consultation, but to get started, here are some answers to questions our ambulance accident attorneys are often asked:

How much will my settlement amount be?

There is a wide range of damage awards possible in an ambulance accident case, from thousands to millions of dollars. The amount you receive depends on the individual circumstances of the case and factors that include the actual costs of your losses, the severity and permanence of your injuries, whether you will be able to work again or need continuing care, and whether a wrongful death was involved.

What if I did something to contribute to the accident?

Under Alabama’s contributory negligence rule, if a plaintiff is found to be partially at fault or responsible for causing an accident, they are completely barred from recovering any damage for their injuries. If you were even 1% responsible for your accident, you cannot recover any compensation at all, so our attorneys would have to show that the other party was 100 percent at fault for the accident.

What is the Alabama “Move-Over” law?

Alabama’s Move-Over Law (Code of Alabama – Title 32: Motor Vehicles and Traffic – Section 32-5A-58.2) states that if a motorist sees a vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights flashing (red, blue or amber), the motorist is required to move out of the lane closest to the vehicle if possible or slow to a speed that is at least 15 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.

What are the safety requirements for ambulance drivers?

According to Alabama law (32-5A-7), the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle has a duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, and they are not protected the from the consequences of reckless disregard for the safety of others.

Are there time limits for filing a claim?

Yes, Alabama has a statute of limitations, time limits for filing an injury claim. According to the law (Alabama Code Section 6-2-38), you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim or the courts are likely to refuse to hear your case.

When you retain our ambulance accident attorneys, we will be there for you throughout the entire legal process to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Get Help from Our Experienced Ambulance Accident Attorney

Being involved in an accident with an ambulance in Alabama can be a confusing and upsetting experience, but having an experienced personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in ensuring that your rights and interests are protected.

The Mobile ambulance accident attorneys at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana have the skill, experience, and commitment to obtain the best possible recovery for you. We have a reputation for providing aggressive, results-oriented legal representation which serves our clients well. Other attorneys and insurance companies know that when we are handling a case, we will be prepared to take it all the way to trial.

Call us at (251) 444-7000 today to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation.