What Happens If You Crash into a Fire Truck?

Have you been involved in a crash with a fire truck? If so, you may be entitled to seek compensation for the harm and losses you have suffered. A truck accident attorney with Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can help you evaluate your legal options.

For more than two decades, our firm has advocated for the rights of accident victims throughout Indiana. Our dedication to demanding justice and just compensation for our clients is reflected by our firm’s many awards and recognitions, including the highest AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo, and memberships in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Reach out to Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for a free case evaluation with our truck accident lawyers. We can review your case, answer your questions, and determine whether we can help you pursue the money you need during this challenging time.

What To Do Right After an Accident Involving Fire Trucks?

Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles are entitled to the right-of-way on the road when responding to emergency calls. Drivers must yield to fire trucks with activated lights and sirens.

Indiana’s Move Over Law requires that motorists yield the right of way by moving over to the right and stopping to allow an approaching fire truck or emergency vehicle to pass. Motorists who cannot move over should reduce their speed to 10 miles per hour under the posted speed limit and proceed cautiously.

After an accident with a fire truck, you should take the following steps to protect your rights:

• Stop at the scene of the accident.
• Take photos and videos of the accident scene if safe to do so, recording details such as vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, and traffic signals.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible to allow a doctor to diagnose and document the injuries you sustained.
• Follow your treatment plan and instructions. Do not put off treating the injuries you suffered in the crash.
• Notify your auto insurance provider of the accident.
• Keep bills, invoices, and receipts of vehicle repairs and medical treatment you need following the accident.
• Gather your pay stubs or income statements to calculate your lost earnings if you miss work due to your injuries.
• Avoid discussing the accident or your injury claim on social media. Do not share photos and videos of yourself while you are treating and rehabilitating your injuries.

Talk to a truck accident lawyer from Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC to discuss your legal rights and evaluate whether you have a valid claim.

Who Has Liability in Case of a Truck Accident Involving Fire Trucks?

Determining liability for a fire truck accident can be a complex matter. While drivers must move over to allow a fire truck or other emergency vehicles to pass, drivers of fire trucks must exercise reasonable care and refrain from reckless driving.

In many cases, the liability for a fire truck accident may belong to a motorist who failed to move over or yield to a fire truck with activated lights and sirens. However, in some cases, the fire truck’s driver may be liable for an accident if the firefighter was driving too fast for traffic conditions or driving through an intersection without slowing down to ensure it is clear. The fire truck’s driver may be liable if they strike a vehicle whose driver complied with state emergency vehicle traffic laws.

If the driver of a fire truck involved in an accident is at fault for the crash, the municipality or governmental entity that operates the fire truck may be held liable. To file a claim against a reckless fire truck operator or municipality, you must comply with Indiana Code §34-13-3-8.

This law requires you to provide notice of your claim with the governing body of the municipality and with the Indiana political subdivision risk management commission within 180 days of the accident. Failing to give timely notice will result in the rejection of your compensation claim.

Indiana Emergency Vehicle Traffic Laws

Indiana Code §9-21-8-35 governs how motorists should react when near an emergency vehicle on the road. When an emergency vehicle with activated lights and sirens approaches, other drivers must:

• Yield the right-of-way
• Move to a position parallel and as close to the right-hand side of the road as possible, clear of any intersection
• Stop and remain in that position until the emergency vehicle has passed.

If a motorist approaches a stationary emergency vehicle with activated lights, the motorist must:

• Proceed with due caution and yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane farther away from the emergency vehicle if available
• If changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, reduce speed to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit while still maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.

Drivers who fail to take these actions may be charged with a Class A infraction. However, the statute further states that the requirements for other motorists do not relieve an operator of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of others on the road. In other words, emergency vehicle drivers can still be at fault for an accident even if another driver violated the law.

Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys

Have you been injured in a crash involving a fire truck? Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can be reached by phone at (800) 746-0225 or through our online contact form. There is no cost to talking to our experienced Indianapolis truck accident attorneys about how we can help you pursue a claim for financial recovery.