It might be scary and confusing to be involved in a car crash. Your primary objective is to ensure your safety and that of your loved ones. However, you may soon start considering the practical problems associated with recovering from a car accident, such as missed work, hospital bills, insurance company charges, and replacing damaged items.
When emergency responders, ambulances, or emergency drivers are involved in your collision, the fear may be amplified. Although emergency vehicle drivers enjoy protection by traffic regulations, specific situations may give rise to legal proceedings. If you are involved in such an accident, visit brianazemikalaw.com
What are the steps to take if an ambulance hits your car?
Compared to other first responders, ambulance drivers, along with other emergency vehicles, are more likely to be involved in a car collision since there are about 6,500 incidents affecting ambulances each year. According to a nationwide study, about 60% of accidents happened during active emergency transports, and approximately 93% of accidents were caused by errors made by fire trucks or ambulance operators.
Legal consequences might be complex when an ambulance hits a cyclist, pedestrian, or another car. Like other emergency vehicles, ambulances are usually given legal protection to help them respond to emergencies faster. These benefits include being free from some driving rules, such as speed limits and red lights while responding to emergency calls.
These benefits are based upon specific conditions and are not unconditional. While operating their vehicles, emergency responders must still use caution and reasonable care to maintain public safety with their need for speed. A driver of an ambulance may be responsible for any injuries or damages resulting from an accident if they do not use reasonable caution.
Determining Who Is at Fault in an Ambulance Crash
Due to the nature of their work, emergency responders are protected by regulations that go beyond those regulating non-emergency vehicles. On the other hand, EMS and ambulances follow their own rules.
Determining whether an ambulance driver was at blame in an accident might involve analyzing specific actions as negligent:
- Failing to use additional care in areas with a lot of individuals.
- Driving rapidly when changing lanes, making turns, or failing to use sirens and emergency lights.
- Failing to pull over at pedestrian stop signs in non-motorist zones or designated crosswalks.
- Operating a car when drunk, distracted, tired, or under the influence.
When red lights, sirens, and flashing lights are detected, community drivers are held civilly accountable for:
- Reduce your speed to the posted limit by at least 10 mph.
- Take care to pull your car over safely so that it is approximately one lane away from the emergency vehicle.
- These laws are lifesaving. You may face penalties and even lose your license if you violate the rules and get into a car crash.
Keeping thorough records of any emergency vehicle crashes and consulting with an experienced auto accident attorney will help you make sure you get protection under this state law.
Medical Considerations: Common Injuries Your Attorney Can Handle
The impact of being hit by an ambulance can differ considerably based on a number of factors, including the vehicle’s speed, the ambulance’s size and weight, the impact’s location, and its intensity. Due to their absence of protection, bikers and pedestrians are more inclined to suffer injuries in these types of accidents than drivers.
The following are common injuries sustained in ambulance-related accidents:
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Injury to the spinal cord
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue damage
Should You Get a Lawyer After Being Hit by an Ambulance?
One of the crucial choices that victims make after being hit by an ambulance is whether to get legal representation. Even though each case is unique and depends on a variety of factors, there are a few reasons why it would be wise to work with a lawyer.
