In a bizarre story, 47-year-old Ann B. Layton was killed when the ambulance that she was being transported in was involved in a Moreno Valley car accident. Five other people were injured in this Riverside car accident, including two American Medical Response paramedics and two Cal Fire firefighters who were riding in the back of the ambulance with Layton.
The driver of the other car, as well as the paramedics and the two firefighters, were taken by three additional ambulances to a nearby hospital. Two of the injuries were described as moderate and others as minor. Authorities did not immediately say how the crash occurred.
This Moreno Valley car accident raises a number of questions, as the news reports provided only limited details of what happened. It is not clear if the ambulance had its sirens and lights on, if the other car disregarded traffic laws, or how fast the vehicles were going when they crashed. The exact cause of the incident remains under investigation.
Wrongful Death Via Common Carrier
Medical transport companies, such as ambulances, are considered “common carriers.” 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.”
Whether this accident was the fault of the ambulance driver, or the driver of the other vehicle, the family members of the victim, Ann B. Layton, have legal rights to compensation for the loss of their loved one in this horrific crash per wrongful death laws. Of course, the other five injured people may be entitled to compensation as well for their injuries and suffering.
Riverside Car Accident Lawyer
After an accident like this one, the family members of the victims would benefit from speaking to a Riverside car accident attorney 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.
The family may be entitled to financial compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care, and companionship. If you or someone you love has been a victim of a car accident, call our Riverside car accident attorneys at 877-702-7274 for a free consultation today.
