Wheelchair Van Accidents: Addressing Negligence and Seeking Justice for Vulnerable Riders
Many people with disabilities in Pittsburgh depend on public or private wheelchair van services to get around. Unfortunately, many of these van services use poorly trained drivers or poorly maintained vehicles, making accidents more likely. Furthermore, people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to injuries, and a minor crash can have catastrophic consequences.
Proving negligence and finding justice for those injured in wheelchair van accidents involves significant legal hurdles, but Ainsman Levine, LLC, has a proven record of winning these complex cases. Below, you’ll find more information from our Pittsburgh car accident lawyers on how wheelchair van accidents happen, who’s liable for these crashes, and how our attorney can help you recover fair compensation.
Common Causes of Wheelchair Van Accidents
Some common reasons why wheelchair van accidents in Pittsburgh occur include:
- Improperly Secured Wheelchairs – Wheelchairs that are not correctly fastened can shift during transit, leading to injuries for the rider.
- Driver Negligence – Wheelchair van drivers who speed, don’t yield the right-of-way when required, become distracted, or are otherwise careless can cause crashes that injure passengers.
- Equipment Malfunctions – Faulty lifts, ramps, or securement systems can lead to falls or other accidents during boarding or travel.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance – Worn brakes, underinflated tires, or malfunctioning steering systems can cause the driver to lose control and the van to crash.
- Lack of Driver Training – Drivers unfamiliar with securing wheelchairs or safely operating specialized vans are more likely to accidentally injure passengers during transit.
- Road Hazards – Potholes, uneven pavement, or poorly designed ramps can cause the van to jolt or destabilize the rider’s wheelchair, leading to severe injuries.
- Overcrowding or Overloading – Wheelchair vans become unstable when overloaded, or there are too many passengers, making a crash more likely.
- Reckless Third-Party Drivers – Lastly, careless or dangerous actions by other drivers can cause collisions that impact wheelchair van passengers.
Who’s Liable for Wheelchair Van Accidents?
One reason many people with disabilities struggle to recover fair compensation after wheelchair van accidents is that these crashes involve complicated liability issues. For example, the driver or transportation company could be at fault if the driver was negligent or lacked proper training. Manufacturers or maintenance providers might share responsibility if faulty equipment, such as wheelchair lifts or securement systems, contributed to the accident.
Crashes involving vans operated by public agencies pose additional challenges because government agencies often have immunity under state laws. Similarly, there are often strict limits on how much compensation government agencies can provide when they’re liable for an accident. Injured wheelchair van riders may need to follow specific procedures, such as filing notices of claim within short timeframes, to preserve their rights. Addressing these challenges requires professional legal guidance to determine who is responsible and hold them accountable.
How Our Pittsburgh Injury Attorneys Can Help You
At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our Pittsburgh injury lawyers aren’t afraid of the challenges these complicated cases present. We believe injured wheelchair van riders deserve justice for the harm they’ve suffered, and we can handle all the legal work in your case. We’ll investigate the accident, identify who’s liable for your injuries, file the necessary forms within the required deadlines, document your injuries, and negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement. If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we’re fully prepared to litigate your case in court to defend your rights.
Swift action is essential for preserving your rights after a wheelchair van accident in Pittsburgh. Call Ainsman Levine, LLC, now or reach out online for a free consultation.