Failing to Secure Wheelchair Passengers Inside of Ambulettes Injury Attorneys in Syracuse, New York

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s Lawyers Promise to Provide You with the Highest Level of Personal Injury Service for Injuries Caused by Unrestrained Wheelchair Accidents Inside of Ambulettes in Syracuse, New York.

Each year, millions of wheelchair users employ ambulettes and other wheelchair-accessible handicap vans to travel to doctor’s visits, dialysis appointments, school, and other important engagements. In most cases, ambulette companies, such as Suburban Transportation, provide crucial transportation services to wheelchair users and those with disabilities. Unfortunately, ambulette companies and their drivers do not always use reasonable care when handling passengers. When attendants negligently perform or completely fail to carry out their duties, it can lead to preventable accidents. For instance, a senior transport personnel improperly secured an elderly passenger’s wheelchair to the floor, and after the driver took a sharp turn, it caused his chair to flip over. As a result, the victim had to be rushed to Upstate University Hospital, where he was treated for multiple injuries, including internal organ damage, multiple broken bones, a hip fracture, and blunt-force head trauma.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s Syracuse, New York wheelchair transportation injury attorneys take great pride in fighting for our clients. Our seasoned litigators are committed to demanding negligent parties take responsibility for their careless actions. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has passionately devoted his life to obtaining justice. Jed Dietrich, Esq.’s extensive experience enables him to formulate highly successful strategies to achieve fast and lucrative settlements for his clients. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has effectively obtained over $175 million in judgments and settlements from insurance companies and irresponsible businesses.

Suppose that you, or a relative, have endured senseless injuries or worse because an ambulette attendant failed to fasten your wheelchair before driving. The Dietrich Legal Team possesses superior litigation skills and vast resources, which we will fully devote to obtaining the best result for your claim. No other law firm will be more fervently dedicated to holding both the responsible ambulette driver and transport company liable for your damages. Depending on your injuries, you may be qualified to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, diminished future career prospects, loss of enjoyment, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and much more. Our top rated attorneys will provide you with assistance and support throughout your recovery process. We would be honored to meet you at your home or visit you in the hospital to conduct your free case consultation. Please contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s leading lawyers anytime, day or night, by calling (814) 839-3939 or completing our online consultation form.

Wheelchair tie-down straps are necessary to properly fasten wheelchairs to the floor of ambulettes and other paratransit vans. These straps and hooks, also known as “wheelchair restraints,” help keep wheelchair users safe during transportation. How attendants properly secure a wheelchair depends primarily on the type of restraint system that is installed inside the ambulette. The main kinds of wheelchair restraints include:

1. Manual Wheelchair Tie-Downs: This is the most cost-effective wheelchair restraint system. As the name suggests, attendants must secure the passenger’s wheelchair to the anchor points. The tie-downs work by putting them directly onto the chair and then using a cam button or ratchet to get rid of the excess tension in the straps. The tie-downs must be positioned onto a non-moving part of the wheelchair to properly lock it into place.
2. Retractable Wheelchair Tie-Downs: This system is one of the safest and easiest to use. After the attendant connects the tie-downs on fixed components of the wheelchair, the restraints self-adjust to eliminate slack.
3. Automatic Wheelchair Tie-Downs: This restraint system only employs one lock point. A base installed into the ambulette’s floor connects to a bracket at the bottom of the wheelchair.
4. Floor Anchors: Floor anchors have up to 2 holes in them, which are used for hooking up the straps. Although this restraint system provides little flexibility, it offers very effective securement when used correctly.
5. 4-Point System: This is the most common wheelchair tie-down system in use today. The 4-point system includes an L-Track, which is aluminum strips that are bolted to the floor through machine holes. The tie-down straps must be attached directly to the L-Track to secure the wheelchair.

Passengers who use wheelchair vans and other non-emergency medical transportation services have reasonable expectations of reaching their destinations unharmed. These vulnerable members of our society paid top dollar and expect adequately trained and competent ambulette drivers and attendants in return. Non-emergency medical transportation providers have a legal duty to use the utmost care and maximum attention. Regretfully, some wheelchair users’ lives are completely overwhelmed by the same transportation services that were supposed to provide them with independence. Following industry-wide standards, ambulette attendants have the following obligations to their passengers:

1. Always abide by the schedule, which includes picking up and dropping off wheelchair users on time;
2. Carefully taking passengers to and from their destinations;
3. Properly loading and unloading passengers in and out of the ambulette;
4. Knowing how to properly use the wheelchair restraint system installed in the vehicle;
5. Fastening down all passengers’ wheelchairs using wheelchair restraints;
6. Using both lap and shoulder harnesses to secure passengers into their chairs;
7. Securing all loose equipment inside the van;
8. Routinely inspecting and maintaining installed wheelchair tie-down systems;
9. Maintaining records of passengers and their special needs; and
10. Above all, making passengers’ safety the number one priority.

Neglecting to follow proper protocols or making oversights while securing passengers or their chairs in place typically falls outside ambulette industry standards of care and is likely to be deemed negligence.

At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our battle-tested team is actively committed to helping victims of no-strap wheelchair accidents. Jed Dietrich, Esq.’s exclusive track record of regularly winning seven and eight-figure compensation packages and jury verdicts for clients speaks for itself. Nevertheless, Jed Dietrich, Esq.’s finest accolade is hearing past clients boast about the remarkable legal counsel that the Dietrich Legal Team’s seasoned litigators provided them. Our veteran attorneys assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to get you the highest compensation for your injuries. Please call (814) 839-3939 now to schedule your consultation. Our highly experienced team guarantees that your case evaluation will be 100 percent free and confidential.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (814) 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 Syracuse, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!