Emergency vehicles often run red lights and travel faster than the speed limit in order to reach their destinations. This could lead to a serious accident. Emergency vehicle crashes could have devastating results, and federal agencies have conducted studies to determine the number of emergency vehicle accidents each year.
Firetruck Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA), firetruck accidents are the second leading cause of fatalities among firefighters on the job. The NHTSA has analyzed the number of firetruck accidents from 2000-2009.
Here are the main findings of the research:
- Nearly 70% of firetruck accidents occur while in emergency use
- 66% of all firetruck accidents are rollovers
- From 2000-2009, there were more than 31,600 firetruck accidents
Ambulance Accidents
In 2014, the NHTSA released a report regarding the number of ambulance accidents in the United States from 1992-2011. North-Western National also performed a study on 466 accidents involving ambulances.
Here is what they found:
- There are around 6,500 ambulance accidents every year in the United States
- About 60% of ambulance accidents happen during emergency use
- Emergency medical personnel are at greater risk of an accident than other first responders
Police Car Accidents
A police report in 2012 found that someone is killed in a pursuit-related accident each day in the United States. Researchers from the University of Washington also conducted a study on police car accidents from 1994-2002.
Below are some key points of the research:
- There are more than 300 pursuit-related crashes annually in the U.S.
- More than 30% of fatalities in police car accidents are people not involved in the pursuit
- Police officers have double the risk of a crash per million vehicles driven as the general public
Call Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC Today at (859) 253-0088
Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC provides aggressive representation to clients who have been wrongfully injured. If you or a loved one have been injured in a traffic accident, our Lexington car accident attorneys will discuss your options and help you file a personal injury claim to seek compensation. We know you are going through a stressful time, and will work diligently to guide you through the legal process.
Contact our firm today to discuss your case. We offer free consultations for your convenience.