Non-Emergency Transportation Injuries in Atlanta

When you or someone you love needs help getting to a medical appointment, you trust non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services to provide a safe, secure ride. These services exist to support elderly patients, people with disabilities, individuals using wheelchairs or walkers, and anyone whose medical condition makes travel difficult.

But when an NEMT driver or transportation company cuts corners, the results can be devastating. A simple fall while being loaded into a vehicle can cause a broken hip. An unsecured wheelchair can tip during a sudden stop. A poorly maintained lift can fail without warning. And when this happens, the most vulnerable people in our community are the ones who suffer.

If you or your loved one was injured in a non-emergency transport vehicle anywhere in Atlanta or throughout Georgia, you don’t have to deal with the fallout alone. Prieto, DelCampo, Lopez, & Marigliano LLC helps families hold negligent transportation companies, drivers, and medical providers accountable.

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What Is Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)?

NEMT services provide rides for people who cannot safely drive themselves or use public transportation to reach medical appointments. These services commonly assist patients going to:

• Dialysis centers
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Chemotherapy or radiation
• Outpatient procedures
• Specialist visits
• Long-term care or assisted-living checkups

Unlike emergency ambulances, NEMT vehicles do not respond to life-threatening emergencies. They provide scheduled transportation — which means companies and drivers have plenty of time to prepare, secure the vehicle, and assist patients safely.

Unfortunately, not all companies take this responsibility seriously.

Common Causes of NEMT Injuries in Atlanta

Many NEMT injuries occur because companies are understaffed, poorly trained, or in a rush to transport as many patients as possible. Here are some of the most common failures:

Improper Securing of Patients

Patients using wheelchairs, walkers, canes, stretchers, or oxygen often require extra assistance. Injuries happen when:

• Wheelchairs are not properly locked into place
• Seatbelts or chest straps are not used
• Drivers fail to secure mobility devices
• Patients are left unsecured during transit

An unsecured wheelchair can tip or roll even during minor turns or stops.

Driver Negligence

Because NEMT drivers transport medically fragile individuals, they must use extra caution. Negligence may include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Sudden braking
• Taking sharp turns
• Running red lights
• Driving aggressively in Atlanta’s heavy traffic

Even a small jolt can cause serious injuries to someone with limited mobility.

Unsafe Loading and Unloading

Falls often happen during:

• Wheelchair lift operation
• Transfers from a mobility device
• Stepping into or out of the van
• Moving across wet, uneven, or sloped surfaces

Patients are especially vulnerable during these moments.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

NEMT companies must regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles. Common failures include:

• Broken wheelchair lifts
• Faulty tie-downs
• Worn brakes
• Malfunctioning doors
• Loose interior flooring
• Old tires

Poor maintenance puts every passenger at risk.

Inadequate Staff Training

Drivers and attendants must understand how to assist patients with mobility limitations, cognitive impairments, and medical devices. Injuries occur when:

• Staff don’t understand safe handling techniques
• Drivers rush through boarding procedures
• Workers don’t know how to use lift equipment
• Employees are unaware of a patient’s medical needs

Training failures are one of the biggest contributors to NEMT injuries.

Common Injuries from NEMT Accidents

An incident that seems “small” to a healthy person can be catastrophic for someone with medical conditions. NEMT injuries often include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Hip and pelvic injuries
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Back, neck, and spinal injuries
• Lacerations and bruising from falls
• Internal injuries
• Worsening of existing medical conditions

These injuries frequently require hospitalization, which is the exact outcome NEMT services are meant to prevent.

Who Is Liable for a Non-Emergency Transportation Injury?

Multiple parties may share responsibility depending on what went wrong. Liability may include:

The NEMT Driver

If the driver was careless, rushed, improperly trained, or failed to secure a passenger, they may be responsible.

The Transportation Company

Companies may be liable for:

• Failing to maintain vehicles and equipment
• Inadequate staff training
• Poor hiring or background checks
• Not following Georgia safety regulations
• Pressure to transport patients quickly

Medical Facilities

Hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes may be responsible if they:

• Chose an unsafe transport provider
• Failed to assist during handoff
• Used improper transfer techniques

Third-Party Contractors

Some health systems outsource transportation. These entities may also be liable.

Manufacturers or Maintenance Providers

If equipment, like wheelchair lifts, straps, or ramps, failed due to defects or improper servicing, they may share fault.

Georgia law allows multiple negligent parties to be held accountable so families can recover full compensation.

What to Do After a Non-Emergency Transportation Injury

If you or your loved one was hurt while being transported in Atlanta, here’s what to do next:

• Seek medical attention immediately. Nearby care options include:
  • Grady Memorial Hospital
  • Emory University Hospital
  • Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
  • Northside Hospital
• Request a report or complaint form. You may need to file with the Georgia Department of Public Health EMS Division.
• Document everything. Take photos, note injuries, and keep all medical bills.
• Preserve mobility devices or damaged equipment. This may be important evidence.
• Get names of the driver, any assistants, and witnesses. Their accounts of what happened can help your case.
• Do not give statements to the NEMT company’s insurer without speaking to an attorney. They do not have your best interests in mind.
• Call a lawyer experienced in NEMT cases. Transport companies often deny wrongdoing and shift blame onto the passenger.

Atlanta Non-Emergency Transportation Providers

Atlanta is home to many NEMT providers, including:

• Nâëli Non-Emergency Medical Transport
• WG Non-Emergency Medical Transport (Sandy Springs)
• Pronto Transportation Services
• West Georgia Non-Emergency Medical Transport
• L&S Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
• Heart to Heart Medical Transport
• Anza Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
• Americ Transit, Inc.

Note: These companies are listed for geographic context only — not as examples of negligence.

How Our Injury Lawyers Help NEMT Victims

Prieto, DelCampo, Lopez, & Marigliano LLC has extensive experience representing injured patients across Georgia. We understand how complex these cases can be. When you come to us for help, we begin by digging into every detail of what happened.

That includes examining the driver’s training and safety record, reviewing the transportation company’s protocols, and looking closely at maintenance logs for lifts, restraints, and other equipment involved in the incident.

We also work to secure every available piece of evidence, such as GPS data, onboard footage, transport logs, and witness statements, to build a clear picture of where safety failures occurred.

From there, we focus on understanding the full impact of your injuries. We work with medical professionals, financial experts, and life-care planners to calculate the total value of your losses, including medical costs, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and any long-term effects on your health or independence.

Throughout the process, we handle all communication with the transportation company and its insurance carrier, pushing back against the common tactics they use to avoid responsibility. And if they refuse to offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case to court and fight for the justice you deserve.

We know how vulnerable NEMT passengers can be, and we recognize how deeply these injuries affect families. Our goal is to help you regain stability, protect your rights, and hold negligent companies accountable.

Compensation Available in a NEMT Injury Case

Depending on the case, you may be entitled to recover:

• Medical bills and future care
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Mobility devices or home modifications
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of independence or diminished quality of life
• Wrongful death damages if a family member passed away

Call Our Experienced Injury Lawyers Today

You trusted a transportation service to keep you safe. If they failed that responsibility and caused you harm, you shouldn’t be left facing medical bills and uncertainty alone.

Prieto, DelCampo, Lopez, & Marigliano LLC is here to help you understand your rights, investigate what happened, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call today for a free consultation.

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