Lights and sirens usually evoke thoughts of life-saving help. Fire trucks, ambulances, and police vehicles provide critical responses to emergencies. Unfortunately, they are also large, heavy vehicles traveling at the highest possible speeds, often through congested traffic, sometimes endangering other lives. An alarming 198 people died in accidents involving emergency vehicles in 2023, over half of whom were motorists in other cars, passengers inside the emergency vehicles, and pedestrians.
When an emergency vehicle causes an accident with injuries, it leaves an injury victim wondering about their right to compensation, especially since the accident involves emergency services like law enforcement and fire departments, whose vehicles have special privileges when responding to emergencies. In these complex cases, a Lake Stevens car accident attorney from Wells Trumbull can help you navigate the legal challenges and fight for the compensation you’re entitled to.
How Does Emergency Vehicle Right of Way Impact a Car Accident Claim In Washington?
When a fire truck, ambulance, or police vehicle causes an accident while acting in their professional capacity, injury victims are often left wondering about their rights. After all, emergency vehicle operators are responding to crisis situations and have the right of way. But what does Washington’s law say about an emergency vehicle operator’s right-of-way?
Under Washington RCW 46.61.035., the law states that the emergency vehicle may do the following:
“Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation … Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he or she does not endanger life or property…”
Motorists must yield the right of way to emergency vehicles with their lights and sirens activated and move as far to the right as possible. However, emergency vehicle drivers also have a legal duty of care to others on the road. When they perform risky driving maneuvers or cause collisions with cars when the driver is unable to move out of the way due to traffic or obstacles, the emergency service department may be held liable for the damages due to the driver’s failure to practice reasonable regard for others on the road.
When an emergency vehicle causes an accident with injuries to a motorist, pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcycle rider, the injury victim may experience serious or catastrophic harm with accompanying economic and non-economic damages. Injury claims against government entities, such as city or county emergency responders, require careful handling due to time limits and other requirements that differ from those of typical claims. A Lake Stevens personal injury attorney with experience in this area can help an injury victim recover damages such as the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss or diminished future earning ability due to disability
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Compensation for pain and suffering
In catastrophic injury cases, additional damages may be available for injuries that result in disfigurement, loss of limb, loss of one of the senses, or a diminished quality of life. If a loved one dies from injuries caused by an emergency vehicle accident in Washington, a wrongful death claim could recover compensation for the closest surviving family member. Make sure to speak with an Marysville wrongful death lawyer for legal guidance and support.
How Can a Washington Car Accident Attorney Help?
An experienced car accident lawyer takes a results-oriented approach to maximizing an injury victim’s recovery by adhering to the unique requirements of a claim against an emergency services entity. Call the skilled car accident lawyers at Wells Trumbull for legal counsel if you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident caused by an emergency vehicle in Washington.