Erie County, New York, Wheelchair Transport Van Accidents Caused By Not Strapping Passengers In

Jed Dietrich, Esq. and His Battle-Tested Team of Attorneys are Committed to Surpassing Their Client’s Expectations and Delivering the Best Outcome. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s Top Rated Attorneys Promise to Take Aggressive Legal Action for Injuries Caused by Not Being Secured During Your Wheelchair Van Transportation in Erie County, Throughout New York State, and Beyond.

Wheelchairs are necessary to get around for many Western New Yorkers who are coping with injuries, disabilities, or certain neurological conditions. These individuals may not always have someone reliable to drive them to medical appointments and other important happenings. Consequently, many wheelchair users rely on specialized transportation companies to drive them to and from their destinations. While these wheelchair transport services are responsible for the safety and well-being of their passengers, careless mistakes commonly lead to preventable accidents.

According to the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases involving wheelchair passengers who were not properly secured in transportation vans. Problems with unsuitably placed wheelchair tie-downs and incorrect positioning of lap and shoulder belts have resulted in countless injuries for wheelchair van transport passengers. When a wheelchair is not properly restrained, it can easily tip or flip over. Additionally, unbuckled or improperly strapped passengers may be violently thrown from their chairs or slide under their seatbelts. Unfortunately, wheelchair transport van accidents often result in severe bodily harm and numerous other damages. It can be exceptionally difficult for feeble victims to recover. Instead of being able to enjoy life, passengers who suffer wheelchair transport accidents caused by not being strapped in may be forced to struggle through various medical treatments and extensive rehabilitation.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his leading team of Erie County, New York attorneys have dedicated their lives to fighting for justice. Insurance companies and negligent businesses have been forced to give Jed Dietrich, Esq. over $175,000,000.00 in verdicts and settlements to resolve his client’s injury cases. The Dietrich Legal Team’s highly experienced team offers free lawsuit consultations and evaluations. Our seasoned litigators are available twenty-four-seven by dialing (716) 839-3939 or by completing the online consultation form. We want to speak to you about your wheelchair transport van accident as soon as possible. The earlier you contact us, the faster we can start building your winning case.

A systematic analysis of wheelchair securement conducted by the Justice Center uncovered that ambulette attendants were not always adequately trained on fastening practices and were unaware of the individual safeguards for passengers. To drive a wheelchair user safely to his or her destination, at a minimum, caregivers or wheelchair transport attendants must:

1. Be properly trained and proficient in the wheelchair securement process;
2. Fasten the wheelchair to the floor with a four-point restraint system;
3. Ensure that two retractors are connected directly to the front and back or the wheelchair frame at a 45-degree angle;
4. Remove all of the slack from the wheelchair tie-downs;
5. Secure all of the passengers and their chairs using both lap and shoulder belts;
6. Consider any special safeguards unique to each passenger’s specific needs;
7. Secure all loose equipment and objects inside the van;
8. Before driving, double-check to ensure that all of the passengers are buckled and their wheelchairs are tightly secured;
9. Drive cautiously and avoid slamming on the brakes, accelerating too fast, or taking sharp turns; and
10. Wait until the van is parked in a safe place before unstrapping passengers and their chairs.

It is the responsibility of wheelchair transportation companies to hire qualified and attentive staff. Through an interactive training program designed by the service provider, attendants can develop a comprehensive understanding of the proper procedures related to wheelchair and passenger securement.

Many individuals that require wheelchair transport vans are already in weak and vulnerable conditions. Unfortunately, injuries caused by failing to strap wheelchair users in place can be severe and even fatal. This can cause even relatively minor accidents to have devastating consequences on victims and, ultimately, their family members. When a wheelchair passenger suffers unnecessary injuries, depending on the circumstances, both the transportation company and the driver of the van may be held liable. You should not be forced to bear the consequences of a careless ambulette attendant. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s seasoned attorneys strongly suggest filing a claim in the following situations:

1. You Suffered Injury: Many wheelchair users are more susceptible to suffering harm than other vehicle occupants. When a wheelchair van crashes, unsecured passengers often suffer life-altering injuries. Even relatively minor injuries can cause victims to suffer emotional impacts, such as depression, withdrawal, high anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
2. Existing Injuries Aggravated: Many wheelchair users cope with prior injuries and chronic health problems. Accidents involving unsecured passengers can aggravate or worsen their preexisting conditions, such as whiplash, back and neck injuries, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
3. Accumulating Medical Expenses: Wheelchair van accidents often result in pricey hospital bills and other medical expenses, such as rehabilitation, prescription medications, surgery, and nurse’s aides. Pursuing a lawsuit may be the only way you will be able to afford the necessary medical treatment.
4. Decreased Quality of Life: A victim has a legal right to be reasonably compensated for all of the negative impacts that the accident has on his or her life. Victims suffering from severe injuries may be unable to participate in their favorite hobbies or activities. For example, if the passenger played wheelchair basketball, but a broken arm has made it impossible to continue playing. Additionally, many wheelchair passengers are forced to cope with the deprivation of benefits that they used to obtain from family relationships, also known as the loss of consortium.
5. You Lost a Loved One: If someone close to you suffered a wrongful death because a transport attendant failed to secure them in place, he or she deserves justice. A wrongful death lawsuit may help you and your family achieve peace of mind and provide critical financial support.

Filing a lawsuit will force the wheelchair transport provider to accept responsibility for the harm that they have caused you, recognize their mistakes, focus on properly training ambulette attendants, and help prevent further no-strap accidents. While no amount of money may be enough to erase your pain and suffering, suing after your accident may be the only way to rebuild everything you have lost. Most transport companies carry substantial insurance policies so that you can be sufficiently compensated for your injuries.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested litigators promise to take every measure available to ensure that you get the maximum compensation. Kindly schedule your complimentary claim evaluation with our elite lawyers today. We would be honored to hear your version of events and discuss your legal options further. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s top rated litigators are accessible 24 hours per day and 7 days per week at (716) 839-3939 or by filling out our online consultation form. You will never have to pay us a penny until our veteran team WINs your case!

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (716) 839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Erie County, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!