The Hidden Dangers of Nursing Home Medical Transport in Riverside County

When a nursing home, assisted living facility, or board-and-care home arranges transportation for an elderly resident, it should be a safe and routine trip. Unfortunately, at Nursing Home Law Group, we have seen how quickly these rides can turn dangerous. Whether it’s a trip to a dialysis appointment in Murrieta, a specialist visit in Corona, or a hospital transfer in Riverside, we have represented families whose loved ones were injured because of negligence during medical transport.

If your family member has been harmed in this way, an experienced Riverside County medical transport accident lawyer can investigate what happened, explain your legal options, and hold those responsible accountable.

Elderly and disabled residents often have mobility challenges, fragile bones, and chronic health conditions that make them more susceptible to injury. Unfortunately, neglect during transport is all too common, often taking the form of:

• Unsecured wheelchairs or gurneys – If the chair or gurney isn’t properly fastened to the floor, it can slide or tip over during a turn or sudden stop.
• Failure to fasten seatbelts or safety harnesses – Without restraints, residents can be thrown forward or sideways in even minor driving maneuvers.
• Improper lift or ramp use – Poor technique, rushing, or failing to check equipment can cause dangerous falls to hard pavement.
• Reckless or inattentive driving – Speeding, abrupt braking, or sharp turns can cause passengers to fall, jolt, or suffer whiplash injuries.
• Ignoring medical needs – Not ensuring oxygen is turned on, failing to maintain a safe position for a resident with pressure sores, or neglecting medication schedules during a long trip.

These situations are completely preventable when staff and drivers are properly trained and take the time to prioritize safety.

We have seen serious transport-related injuries occur in Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula, Murrieta, and Indio.

• In Riverside, a wheelchair-bound resident was sent to a medical appointment without the chair being secured; the driver made a sharp left turn, and the wheelchair tipped over, causing a broken collarbone.
• In Corona, a resident on oxygen was transported without the oxygen tank being turned on, leading to a medical emergency during the ride.
• In Temecula, a driver improperly operated the lift, causing a resident to fall backward and strike her head on the pavement.
• In Moreno Valley, an elderly dialysis patient was transported without a seatbelt; she slid off her seat during sudden braking and suffered a hip fracture.

These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a troubling pattern of neglect that can occur when nursing homes outsource transportation to undertrained drivers or fail to oversee the process properly.

When these injuries happen, nursing homes and transport companies may try to downplay the incident or claim it was unavoidable. That’s why it’s critical to work with a skilled Riverside County medical transport accident attorney who knows how to uncover the truth.

At Nursing Home Law Group, we:

• Investigate every detail – We review incident reports, transportation logs, driver histories, and facility records.
• Interview witnesses and staff – We obtain statements from anyone who saw the incident or was involved in the transport process.
• Examine policies and training – We identify whether staff were properly trained and whether safety procedures were followed.
• Work with medical and transportation experts – We establish how the injury could have been prevented and connect it directly to negligence.

With over 20 years of experience representing victims of elder abuse and neglect in Riverside County and throughout California, we have the skill and resources to take on nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and their transportation contractors.

These cases aren’t just about recovering compensation — they’re about preventing the same harm from happening to others. Many nursing homes and medical transport providers only make changes when they are held legally accountable. By taking action, you not only stand up for your loved one but also help protect countless other vulnerable residents in Riverside County.

If your loved one was injured while being transported to or from a medical appointment, do not wait. A knowledgeable Riverside County medical transport accident lawyer from Nursing Home Law Group can review your case for free and explain the next steps.

We take every case on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win. With offices serving Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula, Murrieta, and Indio, we are ready to fight for justice in your case.

Call us today for your free consultation and let us help protect your loved one’s rights.