Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

ONTARIO - A 23-year-old paramedic was killed in an ambulance crash early Sunday morning on Interstate 10, the Press-Enterprise reported. According to news accounts, 23-year-old Doug Odgers was a front passenger and paramedic in an ambulance travelling westbound on I-10 when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle struck a freeway sign pole east of the Fourth Street onramp. Paramedics responded and transported Odgers to San Antonio Community Hospital where he died of his injuries just after 9 a.m. No patients were being transported at the time of the accident, which occurred at 6:10 a.m. on May 8, 2011.

Cause of the May 8th Ontario Ambulance Accident

The Press-Enterprise reported that a preliminary investigation by the CHP did not reveal the cause of the San Bernardino County accident. The ambulance, a 2007 Ford, was driven by 25-year-old Grelli Ugarte of Carmarillo. Carmarillo suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Hopefully, the CHP investigation will reveal exactly what happened and why.

Ambulance Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Based on the limited information in news accounts, it appears that, as a passenger, Odgers could have done little to prevent this accident from occurring. If it is determined that the driver of the ambulance caused the crash, or if the accident was caused by a defect in the ambulance or due to deferred maintenance, the owner / operator of the medical transport company may be liable for the wrongful death of the paramedic. After a fatal accident such as this one, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable California wrongful death lawyer who is familiar with the unique legal issues of medical transport accidents. An attorney can advise the family of their best course of action to protect their legal rights following this accident, and help them fully hold accountable whoever is responsible for their loved one's death.

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MORENO VALLEY - A patient in an ambulance died Wednesday following a horrendous Riverside County car vs. ambulance crash that left five people injured, including two American Medical Response paramedics and two Cal Fire firefighters. The accident was reported shortly before 10:45 p.m., at the intersection of Ironwood Avenue and Pigeon Pass Road in Moreno Valley. The victim, a 47-year-old Moreno Valley woman, died at the scene of the crash. Along with the four responders, the driver of the car was also injured. The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner identified the ambulance patient victim as Ann B. Layton.

This accident raises a number of questions, as the news reports in the Press-Enterprise provide only limited details of what happened. It is not clear if the ambulance had sirens activated, or how fast the vehicles were going when they collided. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

Medical Transport Provider Wrongful Death Liability

Medical transport companies are considered "common carriers" - because they advertise their services to the general public and accept payment for their transportation services. Under the California Civil Code, "a carrier of persons for reward must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill."

Regardless of whether this accident was the fault of the ambulance driver, or the driver of the other vehicle, the family members of the victim may have legal rights to compensation for the loss of their loved one in this horrific crash.

After an accident such as this one, the family members of the victims may benefit from speaking to a lawyer who has represented victims of medical transport accidents and their families. Common carrier accidents have very unique legal issues, and it is important to understand the victim's family's legal rights and options. It is always advisable to talk to a Riverside personal injury lawyer before providing a statement to an insurance adjustor or accepting any insurance settlement offer. The family may be entitled to financial compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care, and companionship.

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