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Many cities across the country have experienced an increase in the number of firetruck accidents in recent years. Increasing traffic, better soundproofing in cars and the traditional "right of way" laws for emergency vehicles all play a role in the number of firetruck accidents. Because of the size of the emergency vehicles and the speeds at which they are usually traveling, firetruck accidents can cause serious damage to any vehicles they strike, severely injuring or even killing the occupants.
In Los Angeles, the number of firetruck accidents has become such a cause for concern that the LA Fire Department has issued new guidelines for drivers, including a speed limit. The hope is that firetruck accidents will be less likely if the drivers of firetrucks learn to drive more cautiously, rather than assuming that other drivers will simply get out of the way in time. Other cities are considering similar measures.
Firetruck accidents can occur because emergency vehicle operators fail to drive with "due regard to safety" as mandated by traffic laws. Many firetruck accidents occur while the trucks are operating at high speeds, on their way to an emergency call. Department policy states that drivers of firetrucks are allowed to use their own discretion, traveling at any speed they deem safe, but in an attempt to prevent firetruck accidents, the drivers are also required to stop at all red lights and stop signs, and to wait for traffic to clear before proceeding with caution. Many firetruck accidents occur when drivers fail to follow these guidelines, and the damage can be devastating.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a firetruck accident, you have legal rights and may be entitled to recover the funds associated with your injuries or property damage. Firetruck accidents may be handled differently depending upon whether the fire company in question was a city department, a volunteer unit, unionized or not, etc. The local laws pertaining to firetruck accidents and the operation of emergency vehicles can play a large role in how a case is filed and decided. An attorney who has experience representing victims of firetruck accidents will be able to help you decide what the best legal route to take would be.
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