On Saturday, September 6, a Dougherty County EMA ambulance laden with passengers struck a Ford pickup in southern Georgia at approximately 7 a.m. The crash occurred in Albany at an intersection, causing injuries to several passengers in the two vehicles.
After the collision, the ambulance rolled over, necessitating an extraction for at least one victim. An infant riding in the back of the ambulance also reportedly suffered injuries in the accident.
The accident is being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).
Determining fault in emergency vehicle accidents
While the fault in this case has not yet been determined, when emergency vehicles are involved, the rules change a little. Firetrucks, ambulances and police cars are all designated as emergency vehicles when their lights and sirens are activated and they are en route to an accident scene.
In a non-emergency vehicle collision, the traffic laws are less mutable. The driver of a car that strikes another motor vehicle is typically at fault. But it is less clear in cases where the emergency vehicle had the right of way because they were responding to an accident.
Passengers are innocent victims
Regardless of any assignment of driving fault by authorities, it is safe to say that it was not the fault of any injured passengers in either vehicle. They can then file claims for damages against one or possibly both drivers.
Even if no tickets are issued or charges filed, those passengers who get hurt in collisions can seek financial relief by filing a personal injury lawsuit in the Georgia civil courts.