Ambulance Crashes: Liability, Response Protocols, and Legal Implications

Introduction

Emergency response involving ambulances often requires swift and safe movement. However, what happens if an ambulance crashes into another vehicle while en route to an emergency call? This article explores the factors that determine liability, the response protocols for ambulance crews, and the legal implications involved in such incidents. Understanding these aspects can help provide a clear picture of how such accidents are handled in emergency response.

Understanding Emergency Vehicle Laws

When responding to an emergency call, ambulances and other emergency vehicles have the right of way in many jurisdictions. This right of way allows them to proceed through intersections, disregard certain traffic signals, and drive at speeds in excess of posted limits, provided they are using their lights and sirens. However, while this flexibility is granted, it also places a responsibility on the drivers to exercise due care and drive safely.

Driver Responsibility

Despite the legal right of way, ambulance drivers are still expected to drive safely and avoid collisions when possible. Factors such as speed, adherence to traffic laws, and the behavior of the drivers at the time of the accident are crucial in determining liability. If an ambulance is found to have been driving recklessly or failed to exercise due care, the driver may be held liable for the accident.

Potential Hit-and-Run

A hit-and-run incident typically involves a driver leaving the scene of an accident without providing contact information or assisting the injured. In the case of an ambulance crash, if the driver remains at the scene and provides assistance and information, it would not be classified as a hit-and-run. The presence of emergency responders and the requirements to stop and report the incident are part of the notification procedures to prevent such legal misclassifications.

Investigation and Liability

After the accident, law enforcement typically investigates the incident. This investigation considers various factors, including the speed of both vehicles, adherence to traffic laws, and the behavior of the drivers at the time of the accident. The role of the first responder, in this case, the ambulance, is to provide assistance to those involved and report the incident. Only through a thorough investigation can liability be determined.

Response Protocols for Ambulance Crews

If an ambulance is involved in any vehicle accident, the crew must stop at the scene and immediately inform dispatch. Dispatch will then send the next closest ambulance to the original incident. Since most counties and jurisdictions send both a fire crew and an ambulance to emergency calls, the fire engine will also hear over the dispatch channel and be informed that an ambulance is out of service, potentially delaying transport.

The ambulance crew will begin assessing anyone involved in the accident for injuries, including themselves. Depending on the severity of the injuries, the crew may request a full response, including a fire engine and transport crew, or just an ambulance for transport. Additional resources will be dispatched and will respond to the accident scene. If necessary, this additional support will assist in treatment and then transport the patient to an appropriate facility.

The ambulance that was in the accident will not leave the scene until the on-duty supervisor and the police have investigated and documented the incident, regardless of fault. This ensures that the incident is properly recorded and classified.

Redundancy in EMS Systems

Luckily, most EMS systems have a degree of redundancy. Even if the initial ambulance is delayed, the patient for whom the initial response was generated still receives prompt emergency care from EMTs or paramedics on the fire engine that was part of the original response. While patient transport may be delayed for a short period because the second ambulance crew is coming from further away, patient care will not be delayed due to the multi-unit response.

Conclusion

While ambulances have priority when responding to emergencies, the legal and operational aspects of an accident must be handled with care. Proper protocols ensure that the right resources are dispatched, and the incident is recorded accurately. Understanding these processes is crucial for providing effective emergency response and ensuring public safety.