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Philadelphia Emergency Vehicle Accident Attorney
Accidents involving emergency vehicles often cause serious injuries and raise complicated liability questions.
Emergency Vehicles Commonly Involved and How These Accidents Happen
Emergency vehicle accidents in Philadelphia most often involve police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and other municipal vehicles operating with lights or sirens. These crashes usually occur because of:
- High speeds that exceed what traffic conditions safely allow.
- Entering intersections against traffic signals.
- Sudden lane changes or passing stopped traffic.
- Failure to properly activate or use sirens and lights.
- Assuming other drivers will immediately yield.
In congested Philadelphia streets, even a momentary delay or misunderstanding
Who Can Be Held Responsible After an Emergency Vehicle Crash?
One of the first questions you may have is who can be held accountable for an emergency vehicle accident. Responsibility may rest with the emergency vehicle driver, the government entity that employs them, another involved driver, or a combination of parties.
Liability often depends on:
- Whether the vehicle was responding to an actual emergency, and
- Whether the driver acted with reasonable care.
Emergency responders must still operate with regard for public safety. When proper warnings are not used or a driver acts recklessly, immunity protections may not apply.
What Injuries Are Common in Emergency Vehicle Accidents?
Because emergency vehicles are large and often travel at high speeds, the injuries involved can be severe. Victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, internal injuries, or long-term neck and back damage. Pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of smaller vehicles face increased risk when struck by fire trucks or police vehicles. Recovery often involves extended medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work.
What Types of Compensation May Be Available?
If you were injured in an emergency vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the full impact of the crash. The types of damages available depend on the severity of your injuries and how the accident affected your life. Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation.
- Future medical costs related to ongoing treatment or long-term care needs.
- Lost income if your injuries prevented you from working.
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to the same type of work.
- Pain and suffering resulting from physical injuries and recovery.
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, trauma, or loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property damage related to vehicle repair or replacement.
Claims involving emergency vehicles often require additional documentation and follow specific procedures, which can affect how and when compensation is pursued.
How a Philly Accident Lawyer Can Help After an Emergency Vehicle Accident
Emergency vehicle accident claims require focused investigation and an understanding of how public entities defend these cases. A Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney plays a critical role in determining whether immunity applies, whether safety standards were followed, and which parties can be held responsible.
A Philadelphia emergency vehicle accident attorney can review police reports, vehicle data, dispatch records, and witness statements to reconstruct how the crash occurred. Just as important, a lawyer ensures compliance with special rules that apply to government claims. These cases often involve shorter deadlines, mandatory notice requirements, and procedural steps that do not apply in standard car accident cases. Missing one of these requirements can bar a claim entirely.
Contact Us Today
If you were injured in a crash involving an emergency vehicle in Philadelphia, contact Rosenbaum & Associates to discuss your situation. Call (215) 569-0200 or message online today for a free consultation.