Seasoned Rochester, New York Wheelchair Transport Van Injuries Caused By Faulty Fastening Equipment Lawyers

The Dietrich Legal Team's Highly Experienced Attorneys Have a Stellar Reputation for Obtaining 7 and 8-Figure Settlements and Jury Verdicts. Jed Dietrich, Esq. and His Team of Enthusiastic, Unwavering, and Systematic Litigators Pledge to Negotiate the Biggest Compensation Package Possible for Injuries Suffered in Your Defective Wheelchair Restraint Accident in Rochester, New York.

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Wheelchair transport companies, such as Metro Transportation and Rochester Medical Transportation (RMT), are regularly hired throughout Monroe County, New York, to bring passengers with disabilities to various obligations, such as doctor's appointments, grocery shopping, and visiting family members. As "common carriers," these services and their staff are tasked with keeping passengers safe throughout the whole trip, including loading passengers into the ambulette, properly restraining their wheelchairs, buckling passengers in, and driving carefully. This can only be accomplished with properly functioning wheelchair lifts, tie-down systems, belts, and vehicles. Even the most prudent attendants may not be enough to make up for defective restraints and safety equipment.

An overwhelming majority of wheelchair tip-over accidents take place when ambulettes are not even moving. Therefore, as soon as passengers are loaded into the van, attendants must secure their wheelchairs in place. Even the smallest mistake when anchoring a wheelchair to the floor can lead to an accident. Fastening both passengers and their chairs helps avoid any unnecessary harm. With drivers making countless trips and picking up numerous passengers day after day, it is hardly surprising that errors in fastening passengers and their wheelchairs occur. Additionally, repeated use can cause restraint and belt systems to malfunction. Regardless of the reason a wheelchair comes loose, it can result in severe injuries and even death for unsuspecting passengers.

Far too many wheelchair van passengers are hurt because of ambulette attendants' inattention to detail when inspecting and employing wheelchair restraints. Jed Dietrich, Esq., renowned as an expert personal injury and product liability attorney, and his highly qualified lawyers have witnessed the detrimental costs that the terrible injuries caused by broken and unsuitably used tie-downs can have on victims and, ultimately, their loved ones. Suppose while being transported in a wheelchair van, you endured undue injuries. In that case, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.'s veteran attorneys want you to know that we have your back. Our litigation powerhouse offers the resources of a large firm with the individual attention and support of a personal attorney. We want you to focus on making a full recovery while our caring attorneys take care of everything else. The Dietrich Legal Team's leading lawyers offer free, confidential lawsuit evaluations and consultations. Our best-of-the-best team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (585) 939-3939 or by filling out the online consultation form. We will not stop fighting until you are reasonably compensated.

Common Types Of Wheelchair Restraint Systems

Wheelchair transportation vans are specially fitted with devices called restraint systems. Wheelchair restraints are mainly hooks and straps that are installed directly into the floor of the vehicle. These safety apparatuses are crucial for locking wheelchairs in place. When functioning properly and used correctly, tie-downs prevent wheelchairs from moving, tipping over, or flipping. Consequently, wheelchair locks are very effective at safeguarding passengers while driving. Without these systems in place, passengers would be in grave danger of suffering injuries, especially in the event of a crash. The most prevalent types of wheelchair restraints in use today are:

1. Floor Anchors: Although this securing device offers limited flexibility when working correctly, it provides extremely tight wheelchair fastening. The anchors have small 2 holes drilled through them to link the wheelchair straps through.
2. Power Wheelchair Tie-Downs: This apparatus only uses one lock point to secure wheelchairs in place. The locking point consists of a clasp on the van's floor that connects with a bracket at the bottom of the wheelchair.
3. Manual Wheelchair Tie-Downs: This is one of the oldest wheelchair restraint systems still in use today. These tie-downs are placed directly onto the wheelchair, and then excess slack in the straps is removed with a ratchet.
4. Retractable Wheelchair Tie-Downs: The retractable wheelchair tie-down system is not only one of the most secure devices, but it is also easy to operate. After the aid connects the tie-downs to the frame, the tie-downs automatically self-adjust to eliminate the slack.
5. The 4-Point System: The 4-point system employs aluminum strips, called an L-Track, that are bolted to the floor. Straps from the wheelchair are fastened directly to the L-Track. This is the most widely used wheelchair restraint system currently in use.

Ensuring That Wheelchair Tie-Downs Keep Passengers Safe

Wheelchair transport van providers have a legal obligation to keep passengers out of harm's way. Wheelchair users' well-being is contingent on their ambulette's restraint systems remaining in proper working condition. As such, passengers should be able to depend on ambulette services to use trustworthy and modern tie-down systems. Most wheelchair restraint system failures are due to defective components, worn parts, or lack of maintenance. To ensure that tie-downs will not malfunction, ambulette attendants must regularly inspect and service them. Required repairs should never be neglected or put off. If an attendant discovers any issues with a particular restraint, it should not be used.

Just imagine the damage that could be inflicted if your uncle was being transported to a dialysis appointment and an aid hooked his wheelchair up to a cracked L-Track. Consequently, the L-Track snapped when the ambulette driver unexpectedly slammed on the brakes. Something as simple as a worn anchor could cause a passenger to suffer devastating injuries. For instance, an 83-year-old wheelchair van passenger was propelled into the windshield after the anchors securing her wheelchair snapped. The aid's failure to confirm that the anchors were properly working caused the victim to suffer a broken femur, hip fracture, and blunt-force head trauma. Negligence of this magnitude is beyond forgiveness. No wheelchair passenger should ever be forced to suffer such life-shattering injuries at the hands of the same company that was responsible for their safety.

The Dietrich Legal Team's long history of winning cases and considerable trial experience translates into quicker and larger settlements. Hiring the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.'s elite attorneys will force all responsible parties to own up for the destruction they caused you. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has forcefully litigated to obtain well over $175 million in verdicts and settlements for injured victims in Rochester, New York, throughout New York State, and beyond. You may be eligible to obtain compensation for all of your losses, such as hospital bills and other medical expenses, physical therapy appointments, permanent disabilities suffered, pain and suffering, loss of independence, loss of enjoyment, and much more. Please contact Jed Dietrich, Esq. at (585) 939-3939 so that we can help you!

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (585) 939-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Rochester, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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