Generally speaking, emergency vehicles have right of way when it comes to road access, as individuals being served by these services are usually severely injured or have their lives in danger. From fire trucks to police vehicles to ambulances, these emergency response vehicles and their personnel play a vital role in the safety and wellbeing of just about every neighborhood across the country. However, what happens when these vehicles cause accidents, and you end up getting injured in the melee or commotion as they attempt to rush to the scene of the emergency.

Typically, these cases fall under personal injury law, where the injured individual who sustained injuries due to the negligence of another road user may be able to file a claim in order to recover money damages citing breach of duty of care. However, when emergency response vehicles are involved, the concept of immunity from litigation kicks in most states where these services cannot be sued if they caused an injury in the line of duty.

However, it is important to note that this immunity is never a blanket one, and egregious actions may open up the opportunity for litigation. In addition, operators of emergency vehicles owe all road users a duty to operate their vehicles in a safe and reasonable manner, even when responding to emergencies. If an operator, for instance, fails to use their lights and sirens, or drives recklessly or even speeds unnecessarily, they may be held liable for any resulting injuries they cause.

In addition, the existence of third parties as well as the special circumstances surrounding the accident such as the presence of inclement weather may all conspire to make it possible for you to file a claim in order to recover compensation. However, due to the complex nature of these cases and the fact that a layman may not understand the scope of injuries and their impact long-term, it is important to liaise with an experienced attorney in order to receive comprehensive legal representation, and we’re here to help with this.

Our Lawyers Are Ready to Help You!

Are you looking for the best auto accident lawyer for accidents involving emergency response vehicles? Please call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. The experienced car crash injury lawyers at McCready Law bring to the table over 90 YEARS of combined legal experience, and it would be an honor to put this experience to work on your case so you can be financially and emotionally be made whole again. Over the years, we’ve helped tens of thousands of injured Americans across the country and from all walks of life recover compensation to the tune of $260 million. The secret to our enviable success lies in the fact that we have a formidable team of attorneys and medical as well as forensic experts who all work together to resolve cases in a manner that is comprehensive, and demonstrates causation as well as negligence, both key elements in having a successful personal injury claim.

In addition, we are not afraid to litigate cases should the facts call for it, as oftentimes, this is the only way to recover maximum compensation allowable by law. By contrast, most law firms simply engage the insurance company in settlement negotiations which usually end in the injured individual receiving a paltry sum which can barely cover the cost of medical care, let alone property damage or rehabilitation and lost wages. In addition to having nationwide reach thanks to our vast network of referral law firms and attorneys, we also run a bilingual firm (hablamos Español), and we take on all cases on contingency fee basis, which simply means that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES for the duration of the processing of your claim as we only levy our fees at the end of the suit, and only if we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf. If you were in an accident caused by an emergency response vehicle, please give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation – our intake team is standing by.

Are Emergency Response Vehicles Exempt from Traffic Rules?

Emergency response vehicles are governed by a unique legal framework due to the importance of their work and the fact that any delay on their part may lead to loss of life. To this end, these vehicles are allowed to flout certain traffic laws so they can respond to emergencies in a timely manner. Specifically, they are allowed to run red lights as long as they have their sirens and lights activated.

That said, they can only do this in a judicious manner while letting other road users know of their intention to do so. In addition, they are allowed to exceed posted speed limits, but their speed must be reasonable while taking into account road and traffic conditions such as the presence of an unusually large number of vehicles during holidays or the weekend, or in adverse weather conditions. In addition, speeding by emergency response vehicles can only occur if operators have their lights and sirens turned on so that other road users are afforded the opportunity to protect themselves and drive in a defensive or careful manner, or even go off the road momentarily.

State and Local Laws Governing Emergency Response Vehicles

That said, emergency vehicle operators must adhere to state regulations and local ordinances when it comes to their duties, and this may mean understanding what constitutes emergencies as well as the liability of operators when responding to emergencies in the line of duty. In some states in particular, emergency vehicle operators must undergo specific training and certification to have a full understanding of the legal and operational standards expected of them.

Best Injury Attorneys for Accidents Involving Emergency Vehicles – Call Us NOW!

When it comes to who can be held liable for accidents involving emergency response vehicles, the vehicle operator, the employing agency such as the city or county government, or private ambulance firms and third parties such as other drivers and vehicle manufactures may all share liability for your accidents. In order to protect your right to legal compensation, it is important that you do not sign anything or respond to any communication before reaching out to us at (314) 481-63338 so we can intervene on your behalf and you can focus on getting better. If you were injured by an emergency response vehicle, please give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.