Indiana Fire Truck and EMS Truck Accident Lawyers
Everyone has experienced driving down the road when a blaring fire truck or EMS truck has come speeding up behind them or beside them with their lights flashing. It can be startling, to say the least. These types of vehicles are a necessity to our society, and they get to ignore some rules of the road so that they can quickly respond to emergencies, but that doesn’t mean they have no rules at all to follow.
Have you been injured due to a collision with a fire truck or EMS truck? The Indiana truck accident lawyers of Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers specialize in handling these types of complicated cases. Our attorneys are experienced in these matters and know exactly how to handle your case. We pride ourselves on our dedication to our clients and our passion for helping you get your life back to where it was before the accident.
Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers will help guide you through this complicated time and help you gain the financial compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today at (219) 286-7361 for help in your case.
Why You Need a Lawyer
The procedures surrounding fire truck and EMS truck accidents are complicated and differ hugely from those that pertain to a regular car accident. The firefighters, fire department, and local government may all be involved in a case like this. The insurance companies employed by the local government to fight these cases have one goal only: to save the government money. That means offering you as little financial compensation as possible to settle the case.
There are also time limits that must be observed in filing cases involving fire truck and EMS truck accidents. Don’t let your time run out. An attorney will know exactly what time limits you have and will make sure all deadlines are met.
Why Choose Us?
Our firm cares deeply about your personal well-being. We dedicate our time to fiercely fighting for your case so that we can help you receive the fair compensation you deserve. We understand that this is more than just a case to you. It’s your life. We want to help you get back to living the life you deserve.
Brian Custy is an experienced and committed trucking injury attorney. His dedication has earned him the honor of being named a Top Ten Trucking Accident Lawyer in Indiana by The National Trial Lawyers: Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers Association. Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers is known for our dedication to our clients and for going above and beyond to get results for our clients.
Fire Truck and EMS Truck Accidents
Fire trucks and EMS trucks have different rules to follow when responding to an emergency than regular passenger vehicles do. This does not mean that they are completely free to act however they want when responding to an emergency. Those driving fire trucks or EMS vehicles are not relieved of the responsibility to drive safely or of the duty to be conscious of those vehicles and lives around them.
There are regulations that fire trucks and EMS trucks must follow to safely respond to emergencies. If they fail to follow these rules, they could be held liable for accidents they cause. Emergency vehicles can go through a red stop light when responding to an emergency call, but they must slow down first to ensure that it is safe to do so. They must also be using their sirens and lights as required by law. If a fire truck or EMS truck strikes you while you are in an intersection, they may be at fault for doing so if they failed to ensure it was safe to go through the intersection or they failed to use their sirens or lights as required by law.
These vehicles can also exceed the speed limit when responding to an emergency call as long as they do not endanger the lives or property of others. They must slow down when crossing an intersection or railway crossing when taking a sharp turn or curve, when traveling on a narrow or rural roadway, or when there are dangerous weather conditions. If a fire truck or EMS truck causes an accident due to speeding, they may be liable for damages suffered by the other parties if they were recklessly speeding or not using their lights and sirens.
Fire trucks and EMS trucks are also large vehicles that require special maintenance. When this maintenance is not kept up on these vehicles, accidents can occur. Tire blowouts or brake failure can be catastrophic to those around the vehicle at the time of the mishap. Because of their large size, it is incredibly important that these vehicles be kept in tip-top shape to prevent accidents.
What Causes Fire Truck and EMS Truck Accidents
Some of the common causes of fire truck and EMS truck accidents include:
- Speeding excessively
- Driver distraction
- Texting and driving
- Vehicle malfunction
- Tire blowouts
- Brake failure
- Failure to use lights or sirens
Types of Common Injuries
Due to the large size of fire trucks and EMS trucks, there can be extensive injuries involved when an accident with one occurs. Some of the more common injuries sustained in these types of accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury or paralysis
- Whiplash
- Psychological distress
- Internal injuries
- Death
These types of injuries can lead to expensive medical bills. These injuries can also be permanent. You deserve financial compensation for your injuries if the accident was not your fault. Our attorneys at Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you seek the financial compensation you are entitled to.
Types of Compensation Available in Fire Truck and EMS Truck Accidents
Fire trucks and EMS trucks are significantly larger than the average passenger vehicle, and accidents with them can lead to significant damages. Some of the damages you may be able to receive financial compensation for include:
- Medical expenses. Injuries sustained in fire truck and EMS truck accidents can be extensive and require not only initial medical treatment but also can involve ongoing or permanent therapy to treat the injuries you sustained.
- Property damage. You may be able to claim financial compensation for damage to your personal vehicle and even personal items in your vehicle at the time of the accident that were damaged.
- Lost wages. You may have to miss work due to injuries sustained in the accident. These types of damages help make up for the time you miss work and the pay you would have earned.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. You may sustain lifelong injuries in a fire truck or EMS truck accident. These types of damages can give you compensation for the permanent changes you will experience in your life.
- Loss of companionship. If you lost a loved one to a fire truck or EMS truck accident, you may be entitled to damages that are meant to compensate you for the loss of your loved one’s companionship in your life.
- Loss of earning capacity. Due to permanent injuries sustained in a fire truck or EMS truck accident you may be unable to work in the same capacity that you did before the accident. These types of damages can help make up the difference in what you used to earn to what you are now able to earn.
Liability in Fire Truck and EMS Truck Accidents
There may be multiple parties who could be held liable in an accident involving a fire truck or EMS truck. The person driving the emergency vehicle may be at fault, the fire department may be at fault, and even the local government responsible for overseeing these entities may be at fault.
Claims involving government entities quickly become complicated due to something called “sovereign immunity.” This immunity means that the government is protected from being sued in many different instances. Claims against the government in Indiana are covered by the Tort Claims Against Governmental Entities and Public Employees Act.
One type of claim that can be brought against a governmental entity in Indiana arises from an accident involving a government-owned vehicle. These types of claims must be brought to the court in a very specific manner, which is why it is so important to have an attorney represent you. An experienced attorney can handle all the specifics of procedure for you so that your case is filed correctly and on time.
The Tort Claims Against Governmental Entities and Public Employees Act also places caps on damages that injured victims are allowed to receive.
Additionally, if you are a firefighter or other emergency responder and you were injured due to a co-worker negligently operating a fire truck or EMS truck, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. You put your life on the line to protect others. That doesn’t mean you should suffer needlessly when a co-worker acts inappropriately.
Contact Our Fire Truck and EMS Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers wants to help you in your fire truck or EMS truck accident. We want to help provide you with peace of mind that you’re getting the full and fair settlement or award you deserve for your injuries. We genuinely care about our clients and want to make this process as smooth and fast as possible for you. We promise to be responsive to any questions you have and make sure you understand every step that is being taken to protect you and your case.
Contact Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers today at (219) 286-7361 for your free consultation and to get the help you need.
