Every day in Virginia, people rely on medical transport vehicles to get to appointments, physical therapy, long-term care, and hospital discharges. These services are often referred to as non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), and they provide a lifeline for individuals who cannot drive themselves or who require mobility support, medical equipment, or assistance from trained personnel.
But when something goes wrong inside a medical transport vehicle, injuries can be severe, unexpected, and legally complex. Unlike typical Virginia auto accidents, injuries inside these vans often happen when the vehicle isn’t even moving, from mishandled equipment, unsecured wheelchairs, or unsafe loading procedures.
Here’s what you need to know if you or someone you love is injured during medical transport in Virginia.
Common Types of Injuries During Medical Transport
Medical transport injuries fall into two broad categories: incidents inside the vehicle and injuries caused by a crash or unsafe driving. Many of the most serious cases our firm has seen occur before the vehicle ever enters traffic.
1. Wheelchairs Not Properly Secured
Wheelchair injuries are one of the most documented hazards in medical transport. Research published in PLOS One found that misuse or non-use of wheelchair tie-downs or occupant restraints occurred in 88% of trips involving wheelchair users. When a driver fails to latch all four tie-downs or skips securing the shoulder and lap belts, even a mild turn or sudden stop can cause a wheelchair to topple or slide leading to fractures, head trauma, and aggravation of existing medical conditions.
2. Stretchers Dropped During Loading/Unloading
Patients who require gurney transport are among the most medically fragile. A dropped stretcher can cause catastrophic injuries, including broken bones, spinal trauma, facial injuries, and surgical complications. These events often result from rushing, improper lift operation, malfunctioning equipment, or inadequate staff training.
3. Improperly Secured Medical Equipment
Oxygen tanks, portable ventilators, IV stands, or diagnostic devices must be secured to the vehicle. Loose equipment can shift, fall, crush, or burn a patient. We’ve seen cases where an oxygen tank pressed against a patient’s skin and caused significant burns during transport.
4. Unsafe Driving or Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Some injuries stem from crashes caused by:
- Distracted or drowsy driving
- Failure to follow traffic laws
- Speeding
- Poor visibility
- Improper braking
- Mechanical failures, including lift malfunctions or brake issues
Even a minor collision can be devastating for a medically vulnerable passenger who cannot brace themselves or move freely.
Many medical transport providers operate under tight schedules, thin staffing, or inadequate training. Drivers may be certified to operate a lift but not properly trained to secure mobility devices or assist medically fragile riders.
Additionally, some companies use aging fleets or outdated equipment, and maintenance logs may be incomplete or inaccurate.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Injuries During Medical Transport?
Liability in a medical transport injury case can fall on several different parties, and often more than one entity shares responsibility. Under Virginia law § 46.2-2099.44, non-emergency medical transport providers must hold a Certificate of Fitness and comply with required safety standards, training protocols, and maintenance obligations. When they fail to meet these duties, they may be held legally accountable. In many cases, the transport company itself is responsible due to negligent hiring, inadequate staff training, poor vehicle or equipment maintenance, or broader safety failures. The driver or transport staff may also be liable if they failed to properly secure a wheelchair, mishandled a gurney, drove recklessly, or disregarded established safety procedures. Because medical transport services often involve various contractors, such as companies hired through Medicaid, Medicare, hospitals, or managed-care organizations, third-party entities may also share fault. In addition, liability may fall on a manufacturer if a lift, gurney, tie-down system, wheelchair restraint, or other piece of equipment fails due to a defect. And when an injury results from a vehicle collision, the at-fault motorist may also be responsible.
Given these overlapping possibilities, it is critical to work with an experienced Virginia personal injury lawyer who can identify all liable parties, uncover all the facts, and prevent the shifting of blame.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Medical Transport Vehicle
If you or someone you know is injured, these steps can make a significant difference in your recovery and your legal options:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Injuries may worsen quickly for medically fragile passengers.
- Document the scene. Photos of tie-downs, gurney locks, the interior of the vehicle, equipment placement, and the lift system.
- Write down the names of the driver, company, and any witnesses.
- Request the incident report from the transport provider.
- Do NOT give a recorded statement to the transport company or insurer before speaking with an attorney.
- Preserve evidence such as clothing, wheelchair condition, medical equipment, and photographs.
- Contact an experienced attorney familiar with medical transport cases as early as possible.
Medical transport vans and buses serve an essential purpose, but the people who rely on them deserve to be transported with care, competence, and dignity. When preventable injuries occur, whether from an unsecured wheelchair, a dropped stretcher, shifting equipment, or a crash, victims have legal rights.
The attorneys at Curcio Law can help explain your legal options and pursue the accountability and compensation you deserve. We understand how to investigate these cases, preserve crucial evidence, and hold negligent companies accountable. Call/text (703) 836-3366, use our live chat, or contact our firm online for more information or a free case review.
