Cleveland Fire Truck Accident Lawyer
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 Injury Attorneys, 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.
Experienced Representation From an Established Cleveland Fire Truck Accident Lawyer
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.
What Should You Do After a Fire Truck Accident?
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:
- Call 911 and request an ambulance as you report the truck crash.
- Photograph the incident and the damages to your car.
- Whenever required, get immediate medical treatment.
- Contact a Cleveland truck accident lawyer to ensure you aren’t being taken advantage of.
- Gather the information of the other driver or other parties.
Most emergency vehicle accident claims aren’t the same as standard auto accident claims. Government organizations provide these services and require particular procedures.
Fire Truck Accident Statistics in Ohio
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.
- As of 2022, Ohio had the second-highest fire truck accidents in the United States.
- In that year alone, the state had 43 fire truck accidents. Of those accidents, 10 resulted in death, and 33 were injured.
- From 2012 to 2017, there were 1,192 fire truck accidents in Ohio. Of these accidents, 43 resulted in fatalities. Meanwhile, 849 were injured.
- Most accidents (70%) occurred in urban areas, while the remaining 30% occurred in rural areas.
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 Injury Attorneys 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.
Common Causes of Fire Truck Accidents in Cleveland, OH
A fire truck accident can happen anywhere. The most common causes are:
- Failure to stop: Other motorists ignore that a fire truck is behind them. Most of the time, they continue to drive. Doing so forces firefighters to maneuver around them. It could result in collisions with other nearby vehicles.
- Slowing down: Passing emergency scenes can cause people to rubberneck. Cars frequently slow down to look at the disaster. Slowing down can generate traffic. They can even cause accidents if a fire truck attempts to get to the location.
- Reckless driving: Fire truck operators can engage in unsafe driving practices. They could take part in speeding through intersections. They could also neglect to yield to other vehicles.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving can hinder drivers. They could be distracted from recognizing risks in time to swerve or slow down. So fire truck drivers must maintain a high level of awareness while managing traffic.
- Driver fatigue: Firefighters are notorious for staying up late and working long days. Driving while exhausted can make a driver distracted or slower to respond.
- Insufficient driver training: Untrained drivers lack the proper skills to drive a truck. They might not be aware of safe truck maneuvering techniques.
- Breaking of general traffic regulations: Driving a fire engine does not immediately give a driver the right to disregard other road users’ safety. Only if it is safe to proceed may they do so. Additionally, they are not free to assume that other vehicles would yield to them.
- Equipment with flaws or improper storage: Some of the equipment parts might come off the truck and cause other drivers an injury. They could even cause property damage.
- A faulty vehicle: The state must also correctly maintain its fire engines. For instance, you may file a claim if the truck’s faulty brakes caused the collision. You can also consider filing against another business if they’re in charge of the vehicle upkeep.
Ohio’s Laws Regarding Emergency Vehicles
These are regarded as “public safety vehicles” per Ohio law:
- Ambulances;
- Vehicles used by local officers;
- Vehicles used by federal law enforcement officers;
- Vehicles used by volunteers and firefighters; and
- EMS/EMTs vans and trucks.
In Ohio, public safety vehicles are exempt from almost all traffic laws. The conditions are as long as the driver is:
- Responding to an emergency call;
- Equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating light;
- Displaying at least one light visible under normal atmospheric conditions;
- Showing the light from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle; or
- Giving an audible alert through a siren, exhaust whistle, or bell.
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.
Identifying Liability in Cleveland Fire Truck Accidents
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.