When fire trucks, police officers, or ambulances are responding to an emergency, they are traveling swiftly while avoiding potential collisions with other vehicles. When these emergency vehicles have flashing lights and sirens functioning, they are easier to spot and are legally permitted to break the rules of the road when responding to an emergency

When fire trucks, police officers, or ambulances are responding to an emergency, they are traveling swiftly while avoiding potential collisions with other vehicles.

When these emergency vehicles have flashing lights and sirens functioning, they are easier to spot and are legally permitted to break the rules of the road when responding to an emergency.

And, in turn, other vehicles are expected to move out of the way and let them pass.

However, anytime a vehicle is speeding and driving through red lights, there is an increased risk of a traffic accident with the emergency vehicle, or another vehicle sharing the roadway.

When a passenger vehicle is involved in an accident with an emergency vehicle or another civilian, determining liability can be a complex process.

Our personal injury attorneys in Las Cruces can help injury victims throughout New Mexico determine who was at fault for the crash, so our clients can pursue the financial compensation they need to recover.

Determining Who Was at Fault for Your Collision

While collisions with emergency vehicles are rare, they do happen.

According to the National Safety Council,168 people were fatally injured in accidents involving emergency vehicles last year alone.

While most emergency vehicle drivers are immune from personal injury lawsuits if the accident occurred while the driver was responding to an emergency, that will depend on the details of the accident and whether the driver’s negligent behavior caused the collision.

Just like we would determine who is responsible for a bus accident in Las Cruces, the type of emergency vehicle that collided with your car, truck, or SUV will dictate who can be held responsible for the crash.

Emergency vehicles are usually owned by the government or are operated by a government agency, and this increases the complexity of the claim, which is why it is important to speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer to ensure each angle of your case is examined before filing a claim.

Collisions with Other Vehicles During Emergency Responses

Although collisions with emergency vehicles are rare, crashes with other drivers during emergency responses are much more frequent.

That is because other drivers may be distracted by their cellphones or other electronic devices on board the vehicle that keeps their attention away from the emergency even when their lights and sirens are engaged.

When a driver stops to avoid entering an intersection that is being used by an emergency vehicle, distracted drivers may rear-end them when they are not paying attention.

They may also attempt to switch lanes or speed up to avoid the emergency vehicle, which causes them to collide with another passenger vehicle.

When drivers are not focused on the act of driving, their negligence often leads to a collision, whether an emergency vehicle is involved or not.

If you have been injured in a car accident or have lost a loved one in a traffic collision caused by negligence, contact our experienced Dona Ana County personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Samuel I. Kane, P.A. today by calling (575) 541-3004 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.