When you call 911 for an emergency, you expect police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical services to arrive on the scene swiftly to provide aid. Unfortunately, not all emergency responders behave responsibly behind the wheel, and police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances are involved in thousands of accidents yearly. Accidents involving emergency vehicles typically occur at high speeds and can cause victims to suffer life-threatening injuries.
If you have suffered an injury in an accident with an emergency vehicle, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses. At Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, & Dennis, P.A., our attorneys have a proven track record of successfully holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. We are committed to thoroughly investigating your case and helping you achieve the justice you deserve.
8 Eye-Opening Emergency Vehicle Accident Statistics
Emergency vehicles and first responders are involved in an alarming number of deadly accidents yearly. The National Safety Council analyzed traffic accident data over a ten-year period to bring the accident statistics below to light:
- In 2020, accidents involving emergency vehicles resulted in 180 fatalities.
- Of these 180 fatalities, 56% of victims were occupants of a non-emergency vehicle.
- Pedestrians accounted for 25% of the fatalities.
- Occupants of emergency vehicles made up 16% of the fatalities.
- 69% of these deaths resulted from multi-vehicle crashes.
- Accidents involving police cars were responsible for the majority of the reported deaths.
- When an emergency vehicle responds to a situation without the use of lights and sirens, approximately 4.6 crashes occur per 100,000 responses.
- When an emergency vehicle uses its lights and sirens, the collision rate increases to 5.5 per 100,000 responses.
While emergency responders perform a necessary and respectable job, they still have a duty to drive responsibly, even when under extreme stress. If you have been injured in an accident with an emergency vehicle, an experienced lawyer can review your rights and options to help you determine your best path forward.
Can I Recover Compensation After an Accident With an Emergency Vehicle?
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries if the first responder acted negligently and you fulfilled your legal responsibilities. Under Florida’s Move Over law, non-emergency vehicles must pull over, clear intersections, and come to a complete stop to let emergency vehicles displaying their lights and sirens pass. If you failed to abide by Florida’s move-over law, you might bear some responsibility for the accident. However, many drivers do everything right and are still struck by negligent first responders. A skilled attorney can investigate the details of your case to determine liability and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Some damages your attorney may be able to help you recover include the following:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Significant disfigurement or disability
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Your attorney will work with you to review every detail of your case and advise you of which damages you may be eligible to collect.
Speak to an Experienced Car Accident Attorney at Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, & Dennis, P.A.
The skilled attorneys at Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, & Dennis, P.A., understand the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of recovering from an emergency vehicle accident. Our team is dedicated to making Florida’s complex claims process as stress-free as possible as we advocate aggressively for your rights and interests. To learn more about how we can help you and schedule a free consultation, call our office at (407) 843-7060 or complete our contact form today.