When you get hurt and another driver is to blame, you may be able to sue them for damages. What happens if that other driver was in an emergency vehicle though? Vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks can cause serious damage, but they are also allowed to ignore traffic laws when there is an emergency. If you still think that the driver of one of these vehicles was at fault, then you should talk to our Westchester County auto accident attorneys.
Can I Sue When an Emergency Vehicle Hits Me?
You can sue when an emergency vehicle hits you. These vehicles are protected from lawsuits due to the doctrine of sovereign immunity though. This means that if the driver was responding to an emergency, you may not be able to sue for damages.
This doctrine does not protect against negligence though. This is why it’s important to establish negligence and show how the driver of this emergency vehicle endangered you and others. You may be able to argue that:
- They ignored traffic laws
- They were not using lights and sirens at the time of the crash
- The driver was acting aggressively
- The driver was distracted or falling asleep behind the wheel
- The driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash
If you can successfully show any of the above contributed to the crash, then the traditional immunity applied to drivers of emergency vehicles is not going to hold up. Negligence is negligence.
What Should I Do After an Accident With an Emergency Vehicle?
You should treat an accident with an emergency vehicle just like any other car crash. We recommend:
- Getting all vehicles to a safe location
- Exchanging information with any involved drivers
- Talking to witnesses and getting their contact info
- Taking pictures of the scene and damage to the vehicles
- Calling the police so that they can come and make a report
- Avoiding making any statements that could be perceived as you admitting fault
These actions can protect you and help you start building your personal injury case.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
We do recommend hiring a lawyer if you plan to pursue damages. It can be tough to prove negligence, and suing after an accident with an emergency vehicle can be complicated. If a municipality or another public entity owns the vehicle, the process for claiming damages is different. You must submit a notice of claim within 90 days. Miss this deadline and you miss your chance to sue!
A lawyer can help you take legal action quickly. We don’t want you to miss out on any chance to claim compensation.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys
If you got hurt in an accident with an emergency vehicle and want to sue for damages, there’s no time to waste. Contact Hausman & Pendzick and ask about setting up a free case consultation. We can tell you more about your legal options.