Personal Injury Claims Involving an Ambulance or Other Emergency Vehicle

 Posted on February 12, 2020 in Accident Liability

In order to reach the emergency as soon as possible, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles may run red lights and drive in ways typically not permitted by law. Loud sirens and flashing lights alert the surrounding motorists to move over and make way for the emergency vehicle. While most motorists see the warning signs and safely move out of the way of  approaching emergency vehicles, others are not able to avoid the emergency vehicle and a collision occurs. A motorist may also hit something else while attempting to avoid an emergency vehicle.

Illinois Laws Regarding First Response Vehicles

Moving out of the way of first response vehicles is not only common sense, it is also mandated by law. Drivers are required to yield to any authorized emergency vehicle that is signaling an emergency. The driver is expected to pull over to the right side of the road and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes or the police directs the motorists to proceed.

Another law mandating motorists’ behavior with regard to first response vehicles is the “Move Over” law. The Move Over Law requires motorists to reduce speed, change lanes, and proceed with due caution when they approach an emergency vehicle stopped along the road. The law is also called “Scott’s Law” in memory of the death of Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department. Lieutenant Gillen was struck and killed by a drunk driver while providing aid at an accident site.

Determining Fault in an Accident Involving an Emergency Vehicle

If a motorist is involved in an accident with an emergency vehicle and the motorist violated Scott’s Law or failed to yield to an emergency vehicle, the motorist will most likely be considered at fault for the accident. Responding to an emergency does not give emergency vehicles the right to drive recklessly or in a way that endangers the lives of other motorists. If you were hit by an emergency vehicle driver who is driving recklessly or if you were a passenger in an accident involving an emergency vehicle and you are injured, you may have a right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. You may be able to receive compensation for your medical expenses, missed work, pain and suffering, and more.

Contact a Waukegan Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were involved in an accident involving an emergency vehicle, an experienced Lake County personal injury attorney from Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. can help you understand your options under Illinois law. The accomplished attorneys at Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. have over 85 years of combined legal experience helping injured clients and their families. We take all cases on a contingency basis, which means you only pay a fee if we successfully obtain compensation for you.  

Sources:

https://courts.illinois.gov/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/IL_IPI_Civil.pdf

http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K11-907.htm