Negligent Wheelchair Transportation Practices In Rochester, New York

Clients have Repeatedly Stated that The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s Veteran Team has Some of the Finest Personal Injury Attorneys in the United States. Jed Dietrich, Esq. is Highly Committed to Securing the Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries Caused by Being Improperly Strapped Inside a Wheelchair Transport Van in Rochester, New York, Throughout Monroe County, and Beyond.

When individuals with serious mobility problems transition to using wheelchairs, it often involves learning to cope with everyday difficulties, such as inaccessible ramps, blisters on their hands, and getting caught in-between narrow doors. Fortunately, local organizations, like Rochester Accessible Adventures, work to improve the health and wellness of people with disabilities. Additionally, various transportation services are available to drive wheelchair users from their homes to medical appointments and other necessary engagements. These services employ ambulettes and vans specially equipped to handle those with limited mobility. Research has shown that wheelchair users have roughly 40 percent higher risk of suffering injuries in accidents than other vehicle occupants. An accident that might only cause a bump or bruise to a healthy adult could be enough to gravely injure a vulnerable wheelchair passenger.

Unfortunately, wheelchaired passengers face devastating injuries due to negligence from the same transport companies and employees who are tasked with their safety. While victims can suffer tragic wheelchair van injuries for various reasons, one of the most common is passengers being left unsecured inside the vehicle. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s leading attorneys firmly believe that transportation services and attendants should be held liable for injuries that are caused by their inattention. When a chair flips, or tips over, that passenger may suffer excruciating pain, further disability, permanent disfigurement, and numerous other detriments. These heart-breaking calamities motivate Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his team of elite lawyers to provide the highest level of personal injury service to accident victims in Rochester, New York.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. has seen the horrific consequences that failing to secure wheelchair users in ambulettes can have on their lives. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested team is here to support you in regaining everything that was taken from you. Our top-rated team is available for your complimentary and confidential case screening 24 hours per day and 7 days per week by phoning 585-939-3939 or by filling out the online consultation form.

Non-emergency medical transport companies are considered “common carriers” and are legally obligated to take all appropriate precautions and use reasonable care to keep passengers from suffering unnecessary harm. These companies and their employees are tasked with keeping passengers safe throughout the entire transportation process, including loading wheelchair users into the vehicle, properly strapping down their wheelchairs, and securing the passengers into their chairs. This can only be achieved through the proper use of lifts, restraint systems, and harnesses. Additionally, transportation providers must routinely inspect and maintain their vans and equipment. Something as simple as an unfastened harness or unhooked anchor could lead unsuspecting passengers to suffer life-altering injuries or even wrongful death, especially if the driver is forced to suddenly stop or take a quick turn.

Those who are forced to depend on wheelchairs because of age-related declines in mobility, disabilities, or injuries are often incapable of fixing restraint issues during transportation. Unfortunately, many of these passengers may not notice a loose strap or other overlooked safety measures. More vulnerable passengers also lack the reflexes or strength to prevent their chairs from falling or tipping over. It is not a wheelchair user’s responsibility to notify the attendant that they are not properly strapped in. This duty falls directly on those transportation attendants tasked with securing passengers. Some of the leading factors in transport employees failing to properly secure passengers are a lack of adequate training, inexperience, complacency, and fatigue. When non-emergency medical transport companies do not develop safety protocols or fail to instruct attendants on how to properly secure passengers and their wheelchairs, they can be held vicariously liable.

Wheelchair transport companies and their drivers are legally obligated to provide safe and secure transportation to and from passengers’ destinations. To prevent passengers from suffering unnecessary injuries, the transport staff must anchor all wheelchairs to the floor of the vehicle and secure the passengers into their chairs. Unfortunately, failure to properly secure wheelchairs or passengers in place can result in devastating injuries, such as internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and even wrongful deaths. If you have been hurt while riding in a wheelchair transport van, you must contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s highly experienced litigators. We promise to give you the attention and consideration that you deserve. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has the vast resources required to take on the biggest ambulette providers, van attendants, and all other responsible parties. Hiring our battle-hardened attorneys will pressure all liable parties to give serious consideration to your case. Upon retaining the Dietrich Legal Team’s expert attorneys, you can expect the following:

1. Accurately assess the strength of your case and whether the wheelchair transport company’s or attendant’s negligence led you to suffer an injury;
2. File a lawsuit to protect your legal right to monetary compensation;
3. Systematically investigate your wheelchair no strap accident and establish the best course of action;
4. Gather vital evidence such as the company’s hiring practices, attendant’s training records, staff disciplinary records, restraint system inspection, and maintenance logs, prior no strap-related incident reports, and witness accounts;
5. Consult with our world-renown wheelchair transport experts to determine whether reasonable care could have prevented your accident;
6. Regularly communicate with the insurance adjusters and defense lawyers to ensure that they know the gravity of your situation;
7. Aggressively negotiate the highest possible settlement on your behalf; and
8. If needed, present the strongest possible arguments at trial to significantly boost your likelihood of securing a judgment.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s seasoned litigators promise never to accept any lowball settlement offers. No victim should be forced to shoulder the burden of pricey hospital bills, decreased independence, depression, or any other undesirable consequences caused by a wheelchair transport driver’s carelessness. Our elite team prepares every case with the same level of discipline, enthusiasm, and determination. The Dietrich Legal Team’s eagerness to surpass your expectations and undeniable commitment to obtaining the finest result is what makes us the best litigators in Rochester, New York. Insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. more than $175 million to resolve his client’s injury claims. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. would be pleased to provide you with a complimentary consultation. Our veteran lawyers are available 24/7 by calling 585-939-3939 or filling out the online consultation form.

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!