What You Need to Know About Accidents With Emergency Vehicles
An accident with an emergency vehicle can be more complicated than a typical car accident. Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances may be allowed to break certain traffic rules while responding to an emergency, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t held responsible for a collision.
If you were injured in an accident with an emergency vehicle, it’s important to understand how fault is determined and how these cases can differ from other accidents. If you have questions about your accident, schedule a free case evaluation online or call us at 888-888-8888 to speak with a member of our team.
Key Takeaways About Emergency Vehicle Accidents
- Emergency vehicles may be allowed to follow different traffic rules when responding to an emergency.
- Drivers are required to yield when an authorized emergency vehicle approaches with its lights and siren on.
- Emergency vehicle drivers still have a responsibility to consider the safety of others on the road.
- Emergency vehicle accident liability depends on whether the driver was responding to an emergency and what action caused the crash.
- Evidence such as traffic cameras, witness statements, dispatch records, and vehicle data can help determine what happened.
What Rules Apply to Emergency Vehicles?
Emergency vehicles are often allowed to break certain traffic rules when responding to an emergency. The exact rules vary by state, but an emergency vehicle driver may be allowed to:
- Go through a red light or stop sign after checking for oncoming traffic
- Exceed the posted speed limit when it’s safe to do so
- Make turns that would normally not be allowed
- Stop or park in restricted areas
These rules are meant to help first responders get where they need to go quickly. However, they still have a responsibility to keep others on the road as safe as possible.
Whether these exceptions apply also depends on whether the vehicle is responding to an active emergency and whether its lights or siren are being used.
What Should Drivers Do When an Emergency Vehicle Approaches?
When an emergency vehicle approaches with its lights and siren on, drivers are expected to yield and give the vehicle room to pass.
In most cases, this means pulling over, staying out of intersections, and stopping until the emergency vehicle has passed. On some one-way roads, drivers may be able to move toward the side of the road.
Drivers should avoid making sudden stops or quick lane changes. The goal is to make space for the emergency vehicle without creating another hazard.
Who Is Responsible for an Accident With an Emergency Vehicle?
Determining fault in an accident with an emergency vehicle can be more complicated than in other accidents.
Several details may need to be reviewed, including:
- Whether the emergency vehicle was responding to an active emergency
- Whether its lights or siren were being used
- How fast the emergency vehicle was traveling
- Whether the driver slowed down before entering an intersection
- Whether the other driver had enough time and space to move out of the way
- Whether either driver made an unsafe turn or lane change
These details can help determine what led to the crash and who may be at fault.
What Does “Reckless Disregard” Mean?
Emergency vehicle accident liability can involve a legal standard known as reckless disregard. Reckless disregard means taking an action despite knowing there is a serious risk to others.
Examples of reckless disregard include:
- Driving at a very high speed in dangerous conditions
- Entering an intersection without slowing down
- Ignoring an obvious risk to other drivers or pedestrians
Whether this standard applies depends on the laws in the state where the crash happened and what the emergency vehicle driver was doing at the time.
In some cases, ordinary negligence rules apply instead. This is why emergency vehicle accident liability often depends on the specific details of the crash.
What If the Emergency Vehicle Was Not Responding to an Emergency?
The circumstances may be different if a police car, ambulance, or fire truck was not responding to an emergency at the time of the accident.
Special protections that apply during emergency responses may not apply just because the vehicle is an emergency vehicle. In those situations, the driver’s actions would be reviewed much like they would be in any other accident.
Whether the vehicle was on an emergency call, why it was on the road, and what the driver was doing before the crash can all affect how fault is determined.
What Should You Do After an Emergency Vehicle Accident?
After an accident, your health and safety should come first. It can also be helpful to document the scene and gather important information.
- Call 911 and report the accident
- Seek medical care for injuries
- Take photos or videos of the vehicles and accident scene
- Get contact information from the other driver and witnesses
- Keep copies of medical records and accident-related expenses
- Save any photos, dashcam footage, or other evidence
In some cases, an emergency vehicle may need to continue responding to the emergency instead of staying at the scene. If that happens, the accident should still be reported and documented.
How Is an Emergency Vehicle Accident Investigated?
When an emergency vehicle is involved in a crash, investigators may review several pieces of evidence to understand what happened. This may include:
- Police accident reports
- Emergency dispatch and call records
- Traffic or surveillance camera footage
- Dashcam or other vehicle recordings
- Witness statements
- Vehicle data
- Photos of the scene and damage
- Medical records documenting injuries
This information can help show how the accident happened, what each driver was doing, and whether the emergency vehicle was responding to an emergency at the time.
Talk to Cellino Law After an Emergency Vehicle Accident
Accidents involving emergency vehicles can be more complicated than other crashes. Factors like whether the vehicle was responding to an emergency and whether its lights or siren were in use can affect how fault is determined.
If you were injured in an accident with an emergency vehicle, Cellino Law can review the circumstances of the crash and explain your options. Schedule a free case evaluation online or call us at 888-888-8888 to speak with a member of our team.
