Tractor Trailer Hits Ambulance in Tampa, Killing Patient Inside
At any given time, there are plenty of vulnerable people on our roads. These might include seniors, children, and disabled individuals. But it is difficult to think of someone more vulnerable than a patient being transported by an ambulance. These patients are often fighting for their lives while paramedics rush them to the nearest hospital. So what happens when a tractor-trailer hits an ambulance carrying a patient? Unfortunately, this question was answered after a recent tractor-trailer crash in Tampa.
Ambulance Was in “Non-Emergency Mode” When it Entered Intersection
In February 2025, a patient lost her life after her ambulance collided with a semi-truck in Hillsborough County. The incident occurred just before midnight on McGee Road. Police say that the ambulance was in “non-emergency mode” when it entered the intersection, and that its driver “failed to yield.” In other words, the ambulance did not have its sirens or lights activated, and the other cars therefore had no obligation to yield. The patient may have been traveling to a medical facility due to an issue that was not an emergency.
The ambulance traveled into the path of a semi-truck, causing an impact that sent the ambulance rolling. The semi-truck jackknifed after the collision as well. Although the driver and another paramedic only suffered minor injuries, their patient (a 64-year-old woman) suffered severe injuries and subsequently died at a nearby hospital.
Although the crash seems to have been caused by the driver of the ambulance, Florida Highway Patrol says that they are still investigating. The driver of the truck was completely uninjured, and no criminal charges were announced in the immediate aftermath.
Can You Sue an Ambulance Company for an Accident in Tampa?
Although this crash is still under investigation, situations like these may lead to lawsuits against ambulance providers in Tampa. If it is true that the driver of the ambulance entered the intersection while failing to yield, this may represent a breach of duty. Clearly, the drivers and crew members of ambulances owe their patients a duty of care – and part of this duty is their safe transport. This is a higher duty of care than the relationship between a typical driver and passenger.
If an ambulance driver directly causes a serious injury or accident, their organization may face legal action from victims and family members. This is something victims may want to discuss with an experienced attorney.
Can a Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer in Tampa Help Me?
A tractor-trailer accident lawyer in Tampa may be able to offer assistance in the aftermath of a major crash. If you have lost a loved one due to a negligent trucking company, you can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of legal action can provide compensation for funeral expenses, unpaid medical bills, lost future earnings, and many other damages. To learn more about your options, consider a consultation with Anderson & Anderson today.
Sources:
patch.com/florida/southtampa/patient-killed-when-ambulance-crashes-tractor-trailer
wtsp.com/video/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/woman-dies-ambulance-crashes-with-semi-truck-hillsborough-county/67-dc3e55e6-3352-4ac9-ba72-d23db096d36e
