Emergency Vehicle Accident

Whilst we assume emergency vehicle drivers know how to drive safely at high speeds and in high pressure situations, like any motorist, these drivers can sometimes cause collisions. In 2021, the Texas Department of Transportation reported 55,634 total crashes in Dallas, the second-highest crash total compared to all Texas counties. How many of these crashes were emergency-vehicle related is not specified.

Available data from the National Safety Council reports there were 180 deaths caused by emergency-vehicle collisions in the United States in 2020, however, this is not broken down by state or county. Police vehicles accounted for the highest proportion of these accidents, causing 132 deaths. This was likely due to the larger number of police vehicles on the roads, as well as the high-speed pursuits that police engage in.

If you or a loved one is injured in an emergency vehicle accident in Dallas, and another person is at fault, The Lenahan Law Firm can navigate the complex legal framework and help fight for you. Call (214) 295-1008 now to discuss your accident with us.

Emergency vehicles in Dallas must abide by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Title 36 allows authorized emergency vehicles in emergency situations to disregard traffic control devices, exceed the speed limit, and obstruct traffic. However, the driver must still operate “with due regard for the safety of persons and property.” The Texas Transportation Code contains similar provisions.

A person injured in a collision caused by another passenger vehicle generally obtains compensation by filing an insurance claim or suing the at-fault party in negligence. But where the at-fault party is a government agency, options for recourse are limited due to “sovereign immunity” protecting most government agencies from legal action.