Fire trucks may drive through red lights and move quickly through traffic when responding to an alarm. Although uncommon, fire truck accidents occur and dealing with such cases are complicated. Here at Ryan LLP, we have assisted wounded clients over the years. Our Cleveland fire truck accident lawyer is ready to help you, no matter how complex. Know your legal options with us today.
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Because of their size and weight, fire trucks can cause more severe accidents. Traffic laws even allow emergency vehicles to travel over the official speed limit. They may run through red lights and would not have to stop at yield signs.
Accidents can occur when firefighters make mistakes while driving. Often, they result in severe injuries and occasionally wrongful death. However, you cannot sue the driver directly if they violate the law.
First, it’s crucial to handle this kind of accident the same way you would any other kind of auto collision. The following are what you should do after a fire truck accident:
Most emergency vehicle accident claims aren’t the same as standard auto accident claims. Government organizations provide these services and require particular procedures.
An accident involving firetrucks can happen as they travel to the scene, parking at the location, or leave it. Firetrucks usually block highway lanes at roadside car collisions. Doing so increases safety for emergency personnel.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and United States Fire Administration (USFA) estimates, fire truck collisions are the second most common reason for firefighter fatalities while on the job.
The lawyers at Ryan LLP have a long history of representing crash victims of negligence. They have the knowledge and experience to get you the fair compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
A fire truck accident can happen anywhere. The most common causes are:
These are regarded as “public safety vehicles” per Ohio law:
In Ohio, public safety vehicles are exempt from almost all traffic laws. The conditions are as long as the driver is:
However, this does not rid the responsibility to obey the provisions.
Emergency services cannot act carelessly because one of their top concerns is other drivers’ safety. But, they have more freedom to follow the federal trucking regulations while responding to a call or a fire. Therefore, we must take extra precautions when sharing the road with them.
After a fire truck accident, Ohio has a fault-based approach like most other states. The person who caused the accident is responsible for covering the victim’s losses.
You can identify the at-fault driver for an accident with our firm’s personal injury lawyers. Our legal team makes it easier to determine the liable parties.
A fire truck driver is responsible for any truck crash that they cause. However, governments typically own fire vehicles. Hence, they are responsible for the conduct of their employees.
You can file a claim against the relevant government body if a fire vehicle is involved in an accident. In addition, you could receive financial compensation for your losses.
Every accident will have a different set of losses. Every victim will experience various harm. An experienced attorney can offer legal help and determine the available compensation right for you. Some of the typical damages that you can recover compensation from include:
Special Damages
For your expenses and monetary losses, we will demand compensation. These are called special damages. Namely, it covers:
General Damages
Along with compensatory damages, we will also seek payment for non-economic harms like:
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are distinct because they are exact punishments for the at-fault party. If your injury results from simple negligence, these injuries and damages are not permitted. You must be able to demonstrate negligence, malice, or fraud.
Wrongful Death Damages
Ryan LLP will assist you with a wrongful death claim whenever necessary. Contact us if a fire truck accident tragically claimed the life of a loved one. You and your family may file such a case to seek restitution for:
Our legal team will seek and collect evidence to show the harm you suffered. This evidence includes expenses and other types of damages. We will collect medical bills from medical providers, receipts, estimates, and other documents to determine your claim’s value. Contact us today for a free consultation.
A fire truck accident attorney usually looks into the incident. Your legal team is also the one who establishes liability. They can when they find out what the truck was doing during the accident.
But, it would be very challenging to hold the fire truck responsible for damages. For instance, if they were responding to an emergency and had their lights and sirens on.
Municipal governments are the targets of lawsuits against fire truck drivers. Knowing that the law may shield them from litigation is crucial. In similar circumstances, the doctrine of sovereign immunity protects them from lawsuits.
It is crucial to collect evidence while filing an emergency vehicle accident lawsuit. Our legal team will receive a copy of the police report about the incident.
We compile any images you or any witnesses may have taken. We also search for potential video evidence from local traffic, weather, or security cameras.
Our attorneys will look for witnesses who did not immediately come forward. Moreover, we will request statements from every witness.
Ryan LLP will also look into the history of the truck driver and the trucking company in-depth. Through this, we will see whether there have been any past traffic offenses, accidents, or regulatory violations.
Discovery is one of the pre-trial stages. During discovery, the exchange of information between the parties involves:
There will be unavailable data and documents if one does not make a discovery request. Hence, discovery is necessary to conduct our inquiry.
Our Cleveland truck accident lawyers will establish our independent investigation. Additionally, we will compile as much information as possible.
All these are useful before filing a semi-truck or any truck accident lawsuit and serving discovery.
We will consult with one or more specialists to support your claim in this situation. These experts include accident reconstructionists, engineers, and other trucking specialists. They testify to the opposition’s activities and why they amounted to negligence.
Ryan LLP may also appoint a medical specialist to help address your serious injuries. These injuries include the pain you dealt with and the future medical care you will need. They may also involve traumatic brain injuries and wrongful death.
We may also hire an economic expert to assess your ability to work. It would include your lost wages and benefits if you had significant injuries.
Witnesses of your truck accident might significantly alter the outcome. They can help, especially if they are unbiased third parties. We will ask anyone willing to testify to describe what they saw and heard in court.
A statute of limitations applies to all litigation. This statute serves as a period for people to file their lawsuits in court. Each has a different duration depending on the nature of the legal claim.
Ohio Revised Code 2305.10 outlines the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck accidents. Accident plaintiffs have up to two years from the collision date.
Within these two years, they must submit their lawsuits against those accountable. Otherwise, the court may forfeit any right to compensation. Hence, it is crucial to register their legal claims in court within this time frame.
Respecting the statute of limitations is essential to any personal injury claim. In the wake of catastrophic incidents, injury victims rarely consider calling attorneys. However, delaying legal counsel for too long could harm your claims. The truck accident statute of limitations could nullify your ability to seek compensation.
Some drivers think about handling their truck accident claim to cut costs. However, there may be more drawbacks to defending yourself than advantages. In the long term, it could cost you a lot more. When you work with Ryan LLP, our team will:
It might be challenging to prove a fire truck accident claim. The fire truck driver can assert immunity from liability. And they can even allege that you somehow contributed to the collision. But, you have legal options if you were in a crash with a fire vehicle. Even though a lawsuit against the local government is complicated, it is possible.
Our Cleveland personal injury lawyers at Ryan LLP have great expertise in handling truck incidents. We are familiar with the specific legal nuances involved in these unusual forms of cases. To find out your alternatives, call us immediately at (216) 600-0308. You may also submit your claim online for a free consultation. We’re here to make sure you receive the best possible legal representation.
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