On a typical day, drivers and pedestrians share the road with various emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. Emergency vehicles may have to maneuver their way through heavy traffic to respond to an incident, which requires other drivers to be alert and prepared to safely move to the right and allow the vehicle to pass by. It is not surprising that when emergency vehicles are responding to other incidents, there’s a risk that they may instead collide with other cars, motorcyclists, or pedestrians on the road. According to the National Safety Council, in 2020, 180 people died in crashes involving emergency vehicles. Drivers and pedestrians should be alert and aware of their surroundings so that they can pay attention to when emergency vehicles that share the road with us.
In a recent news report, a man on a motorcycle was seriously injured after he was struck by a firetruck in Northwest D.C. According to the report, D.C. Fire and EMS crews were responding to a fire when they collided with a motorcyclist. The accident occurred at the intersection of 3rd and E streets in the Judiciary Square neighborhood. While no one on the fire truck was injured, the driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. An internal investigation is taking place to determine the cause of the crash.
In a busy city like Washington, D.C., it is common to hear an emergency siren blaring or to see emergency lights flashing, signaling a need for drivers to safely yield so that the emergency vehicle may pass by. Unsurprisingly, emergency response vehicles may be traveling at high speeds to respond to an incident, and sometimes these vehicles may provide little to no warning to give drivers enough time to decide how best to proceed. In some situations, if an accident occurs with an emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle may decide either not to stop so that they may continue responding to their original emergency situation, or they may decide to stop briefly to give the other driver enough time to get identifying information.
What Should I Do After a Washington, D.C. Motorcycle Accident?
If you are involved in an accident with an emergency vehicle, it is important to first seek any medical help that may be necessary and ensure that you are safely out of the way of traffic. If immediate medical attention isn’t necessary, it can be helpful to document any identifying information that can be observed on the emergency vehicle, which may include a license plate number or other unique identifying numbers. Also, if there are any eyewitnesses to the accident, it can be helpful to gather their contact information. In addition, contacting an experienced lawyer who can help you navigate the complexities of personal injury law can be an important step to take soon after an accident.
Have You Suffered Injuries After a Vehicle Accident in D.C.?
If you or someone you loved has suffered injuries after being involved in a car accident in D.C., contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen today. Our firm has dedicated, compassionate, and experienced attorneys who are ready to use their skills and knowledge to help you handle complex car accident cases. In addition to car accident cases, our firm handles cases involving amusement park injuries, construction site accidents, nursing home negligence, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. Call our office today at 1-800-654-1949 to schedule a free initial consultation.