Ambulance Accident Attorney in Las Vegas

Injury Claims Against EMS Carriers and Government Agencies

Ambulance accidents create some of the most legally complex injury claims on the road. When a government-operated EMS agency is involved, injured victims face a 180-day Notice of Claim deadline under the Nevada Tort Claims Act, and missing it can bar recovery entirely. At Cohan PLLC, we identify these deadlines from day one and build each case as if it’s going to trial, giving our clients real leverage against government agencies and private EMS carriers that fight these claims.

Led by seasoned trial attorney Chasen Cohan, a Las Vegas native with deep knowledge of local courts and the defense strategies used by municipal agencies and insurance carriers, our firm handles ambulance accident injury claims throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, and Enterprise. We offer free, no-obligation case evaluations in English and Spanish, and we handle every case on a contingency fee basis: you pay no attorney fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you.

If you or a loved one was hurt in an ambulance collision, don’t wait. Call (702) 623-3579 today for a free case evaluation with our team.

Why Ambulance Accident Claims Are Legally Different

Ambulance accidents fall into two broad categories. The first involves a collision where the ambulance strikes another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, or is struck by another driver. The second involves a patient inside the ambulance who is harmed by negligent driving or improper care during transport. Both situations can cause catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, and internal trauma.

What makes these claims distinct is the question of who’s liable and what rules apply to them.

Potential defendants in an ambulance accident case:

• The ambulance driver whose negligent or reckless operation caused the crash
• The private EMS company that employs the driver, liable under respondeat superior
• A government-operated EMS agency such as a city or county fire department running ambulance services
• A third-party driver who caused or contributed to the collision by failing to yield or driving negligently

Under Nevada law, ambulance operators running lights and sirens have certain right-of-way privileges, but those privileges don’t eliminate the duty to drive with reasonable care. Excessive speed, failure to clear intersections, and inattentive driving during emergent runs can all support a negligence claim. Conversely, a civilian driver who fails to yield to an emergency vehicle may share or bear primary liability for the collision.

Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule allows an injured person to recover as long as they’re less than 51% at fault. Any award is reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault, which means even partial responsibility doesn’t necessarily bar a claim.

The Government-Entity Deadline You Can’t Afford to Miss

When the ambulance is operated by a government agency, the Nevada Tort Claims Act changes the timeline dramatically. Instead of the standard two-year statute of limitations, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 180 days of the incident. Total compensatory damages against a government entity are capped at $200,000, and punitive damages aren’t available. Failing to identify a government-operated ambulance early enough is one of the ways victims can lose their right to pursue compensation before they even speak with an attorney.

Damages in a Las Vegas Ambulance Accident Claim

Ambulance accident injuries often require extensive medical treatment and prolonged recovery. The damages you can pursue depend on whether the at-fault party is a private company or a government entity, and on the severity of your injuries.

Economic damages may include:

• Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and surgery
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Future medical care for ongoing or permanent injuries
• Lost wages during recovery
• Diminished future earning capacity

Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life and loss of enjoyment of daily activities

In extreme cases involving willful or reckless misconduct by a private party, punitive damages may also apply. However, punitive damages aren’t available against government entities under the Nevada Tort Claims Act. Individual circumstances vary, and legal counsel is needed to evaluate the full scope of any specific claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Sue If I Was a Patient Inside the Ambulance?

Yes. Patients being transported have a right to reasonably safe transport. If negligent driving or improper EMS care during the ride caused your injuries, you can pursue a personal injury claim against the driver and the employing company or agency.

What If the Ambulance Was Run by the City or County?

You may still recover compensation, but the Nevada Tort Claims Act limits total compensatory damages to $200,000 and requires a Notice of Claim within 180 days of the incident. Missing that deadline can bar your claim entirely, which is why early legal consultation matters.

Can I Recover Anything If I Failed to Yield to the Ambulance?

Possibly. Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule allows recovery as long as you’re less than 51% at fault. Your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of responsibility for the collision.

How Long Do I Have to File?

For claims against a private EMS company, the general two-year statute of limitations applies. For claims involving a government-operated ambulance, the controlling deadline is the 180-day Notice of Claim requirement under the Nevada Tort Claims Act.

What Does It Cost to Hire an Ambulance Accident Attorney?

At Cohan PLLC, we handle all ambulance accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free and comes with no obligation.