Miami Accident Lawyer for Fire Truck and Ambulance Accidents

Fire Trucks and Ambulances are never joyriding, and when fire trucks or ambulances are on call, they are usually driving as fast as the driving conditions on Miami roadways, avenues, and streets permit. Fire trucks and ambulances, although serving a public good, can sometimes be involved in a accident that can lead to personal injury, property, loss, or even wrongful death. In fact, according to research carried out by Perazzo Law regarding ambulance accidents, some 600 people are hurt in roughly 1500 accidents every year, with 30% of these accidents resulting in fatalities. When responding to emergency situations, fire trucks and ambulances have right of way. However, their presence, though alerted by flashing lights and sirens, are not always detected by other motorists or pedestrians. When fire trucks, which are difficult to maneuver even at slow speeds giving their extensive size and length, are involved in accidents in Miami, the results may be devastating to those on the receiving end of a collision on a Miami street, avenue or roadway. Ambulances, though much smaller and easier to to maneuver through Miami than fire trucks, usually travel at high speeds to either assist victims at accident scenes or to take injured parties to receive emergency medical treatment at a healthcare facility. When ambulances collide with other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects, injuries may include not only the ambulance driver, but any passengers on board such as paramedics or patients. Fortunately for victims from accident involving fire trucks or ambulances, they cover insurance policies to safeguard against potential lawsuits for compensation claims on behalf of injured parties or those suffering property damage or loss.

Fire Truck Accident Claims

Though Fire Departments do not expect their fire truck operator to crash or be involved in an accident when attending to a fire emergency, there may be inevitable circumstances that can lead to a fire truck accident in Miami. When operating a vehicle as large and as difficult to maneuver as a fire truck, especially amid Miami motorists usually distracted by negligent cell phone use behind the wheel, or pedestrians crossing streets while looking down at their phones, the chances of an accident involving a fire truck in Miami can happen. Florida fire departments have procedures, training, and insurance policies with which to face incidents that involve an accident with other motorists, pedestrians, or public and private property. Accidents involving fire trucks will be followed by a thorough investigation on behalf of the fire department investigators and insurance providers. The investigation will aim to determine fault, either on behalf of the fire truck operator, the fire department, other motorists, pedestrians, etc. A fire department may be found negligent if the fire truck was not in compliance with safety measures which include regular fire truck maintenance and proper operator training. A fire department must make sure that their fire apparatus is fit to operate under emergency circumstances and at high speeds amid Miami traffic. Safety features include proper functioning of lights, sirens, ladders, hitches, brakes, and any other parts of a fire truck that may malfunction during an emergency situation. Fire departments must make sure that fire truck drivers are properly trained to operate a fire truck at high speeds or amid heavy traffic or bad weather conditions that may cause poor visibility or slippery roadways. Busy Miami intersections are where most accidents involving fire trucks take place. Many times, motorists may not see or here a fire truck approaching an intersection at high speeds; either due to loud music inside their vehicle or negligent cell phone use. Fire truck operators are trained to prepare an accident report immediately after an incident which result in personal injury, property damage, or loss. Local law enforcement agencies are immediately notified by the fire truck operator that reports the accident situation to the fire department dispatch center. The fire truck involved in the accident should never be moved unless a potential hazard exists. In the event that the fire truck involved in the accident must be moved, the accident scene must be documented by way of photographs or eyewitness testimony. Crew members that are hurt as a result of the fire truck accident, should be placed in the command van and transported to a local hospital or to the nearest fire dispatch center. Fire trucks are covered by Primary Liability Coverage and/or Primary Physical Damage on an actual cash value basis.

Ambulance Accident and Negligence while transporting passengers

An Accident inside an Ambulance can occur and lead to personal injuries to passengers or other motorists. In Miami, the Perazzo Law Firm informs on the types of accidents that can take place within an ambulance and cases in which the ambulance company can be held liable for any bodily harm or losses to third-party victims. 

There are a number of ways ambulance workers or paramedics can be considered negligent in a situation that leads to personal injury to the individual they are transporting. 

If you, a family member, or loved one has suffered personal injury, property damage, loss, or wrongful death from an accident involving a Fire Truck in Miami, Perazzo Law's staff of personal injury attorneys at its Miami and North Miami Beach offices urge you to contact them ONLINE for a free initial consultation to discuss a personal injury claim for compensation.