Traveling Houston TX Roads can be Hazardous even in an Ambulance
TxDOT numbers reveal that the largest numbers of fatal and serious injury accidents occur in the Houston area. No doubt those numbers reflect Houston’s status as the most populous area of the state. But Houston injury attorneys point out that the numbers also reflect problems with drunken driving, street racing, and speeding. Harris County is perennially the national hot spot for both drunken driving accidents and street racing.
When you’re ill or injured, you might think that once you’re in an ambulance, you’re on your way to help and safety. But that’s not always the case on Houston area roads unfortunately.
Patient Suffers Houston Crash Injuries while already onboard an Ambulance
Just after noon on Tuesday, an ambulance carrying a patient to LBJ General Hospital had a collision with another vehicle in northeast Houston in the 7200 block of North Wayside. A firefighter on the ambulance was injured in the crash. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision received rush transport to Memorial Hermann Hospital, presumably in a different ambulance. The patient already on board the ambulance was said to be suffering crash-related aches and pains and also received transport to the hospital.
News accounts of the accident said the cause of the collision was unclear. Our Houston injury attorneys note that they also didn’t specify what complaints patient was suffering before the crash. (Source: Dale Lezon, Houston Chronicle, 2/5/13) At least once the crash occurred, the patient was in the right place and didn’t need to wait for an ambulance to arrive.
Observe the Rules of the Road regarding Emergency Responders
The traditional rules of the road, as well as state and local laws, require that you get out of the way of an approaching emergency vehicle. Pull over, stop, and wait for the vehicle to pass. There’s an emergency somewhere and people waiting desperately for that vehicle to arrive.
More and more though, our Houston injury attorneys notice that drivers don’t observe the traditional rules regarding emergency vehicles. I see them trying to beat the vehicles at intersections, or taking the opportunity to follow in their wake at high speed to hasten their own journeys.
But this behavior, as with any failure to observe the rules of the road, can be risky. Stay safe. Observe the rules of the road and help prevent needless accident injuries to yourself and others.
Contact the Houston Injury Attorneys at Denena Points, PC if You’ve Suffered Needless Injuries in an Accident
Your initial legal consultation is always free and without obligation. And what you learn could help you make important, informed decisions for you and your family after a serious injury accident. Call us at 281-369-4363 or fill out our convenient online contact form to schedule your free consultation.