Six Injured in Turlock Ambulance Crash
Six people were injured in a Turlock ambulance crash on the night of July 25, 2019. The car accident occurred shortly after 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of West Monte Vista Avenue and North Golden State Boulevard. The Turlock Police Department said an ambulance was transporting a cyclist to the hospital after being struck by a car at Olive Avenue and Hawkeye Avenue. For unknown reasons, the ambulance was involved in a collision with another vehicle. The impact of the crash caused the ambulance to land on its side. Authorities reported six parties, including two firefighters, were transported to the hospital for treatment of moderate to serious injuries. Updates regarding the conditions of those injured were not immediately available.
Accidents Involving Emergency Vehicles
Emergency response and recovery workers perform an honorary job. However, they are still required to respond to emergencies safely. Emergency vehicle accidents occur far too often and in some cases, are avoidable. Any driver of an emergency or government vehicle, whether it is a police car, ambulance, or fire engine, should exercise due care while responding to an emergency. Failure to uphold this duty of care may constitute negligence.
Government Immunity in a Turlock Ambulance Crash
Government vehicles and their operators may have immunity from liability, but their conduct may still be evaluated. Under the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA), this may be determined by the duty of care that would apply to a reasonably cautious person under the same circumstances. Since government immunity is often challenging to overcome, retaining an experienced Turlock personal injury attorney is essential to protecting your rights. An attorney can ensure all specific criteria and deadlines are met while you focus on recovering.
What Can Be Recovered in a Government Personal Injury Claim?
Personal injury cases involving government entities are handled differently. The statute of limitations for such cases differs. In California, a lawsuit against a government entity must be filed within six months or 180 days from the date of loss. Such claims may include recovery of the following:
- Disfigurement: Injuries in an accident may have the potential to cause permanent changes to one’s appearance, such as scarring. The impact may be devastating, causing emotional and physical hardship. A claim may be placed for the embarrassment and humiliation associated with a disfigurement. The costs of cosmetic surgery to correct the scarring may also be considered for reimbursement.
- Medical Expenses: An injured person may be able to recover medical expenses for any treatment that is related to the accident. This may also take into consideration the costs of future medical care.
- Loss of Future Job Opportunities and Earning Capacity: This is speculative. It can be assessed and estimated based upon the injured person’s age, gender, health, education, and career prospects before the injury.
- Lost Wages: When a person is injured in an accident, they may need time away from work to recover. This is why California law allows injured people to claim the earnings they would have made had they not been hurt. This may also include reimbursement of any vacation or sick time used during recovery. To prove lost wages in a personal injury case, a letter from an employer disclosing past lost wages may be required.
- Loss of Consortium: An uninjured spouse may file a claim for loss of consortium. This is possible so long as it can be proven that the injury caused damage to the marital relationship.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for pain and suffering are subjective. They account for the psychological or emotional ramifications of the injury. Since people react to trauma differently, there is no standard way for calculating the value of this damage.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Lawyer?
Accidents involving emergency vehicles can be a gray area. It may be difficult to recover damages from an emergency vehicle accident, especially if the car is owned by a government entity. Some hurdles must be overcome in these types of cases. However, an experienced injury lawyer can help you in such situations to break through government immunity and recover fair compensation for your losses.
Turlock Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Turlock personal injury lawyer. Car accidents involving emergency vehicles often result in catastrophic injury or death. This is due to the higher speeds traveled by these vehicles to respond to crisis situations. When caused by negligence, an injured person may recover compensation for their damages. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by the negligent acts of another driver or entity, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly case advice.
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