When emergency vehicles race through intersections with lights and sirens blaring, they’re often responding to life-or-death situations. But even with their special privileges under traffic laws, emergency responders like ambulance drivers, police officers, and fire truck operators are not above the law. When a collision involving a fire truck, ambulance, or police car results in injuries or property damage, the victims have legal rights.
At Grover Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers have handled complex cases involving emergency vehicle accidents across Alberta. Understanding when an emergency vehicle driver can be held liable and what steps to take afterward is crucial to protecting your rights and recovering the compensation you deserve.
The Reality of Emergency Vehicle Accidents
In Alberta, emergency responders are granted certain legal privileges when responding to an emergency call. Under provincial traffic laws, these drivers can:
- Exceed speed limits
- Proceed through red lights or stop signs after ensuring it’s safe
- Drive against traffic flow when necessary
- Disregard some traffic signals, if done in a safe manner
However, these privileges come with a duty of care — meaning they must still exercise due care to avoid harming other drivers, pedestrians, or occupants of other vehicles involved in a collision. When this duty is breached and a crash occurs, victims can file personal injury claims to recover damages for medical expenses, property damage, and lost income.
Common Causes of Emergency Vehicle Collisions
While most emergency responders are highly trained, accidents involving fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars still happen far too often. Common causes include:
- Driving at high speed without maintaining a proper lookout
- Entering intersections on a red light without slowing down
- Failing to use sirens or emergency lights properly
- Fatigue during long shifts
- Slick road conditions or poor visibility
- Mechanical failure, such as defective brakes
- Miscommunication between emergency vehicles and other drivers
Even a minor misjudgment at high speed can result in devastating motor vehicle collisions, leaving victims with more severe injuries than typical car accidents.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Determining liability in emergency vehicle accidents can be complex because multiple parties may share responsibility. Depending on the circumstances, those potentially held liable include:
- The Emergency Vehicle Driver – If the ambulance driver, fire truck operator, or police officer failed to drive in a safe manner, they may be liable for negligence.
- Government Entities – Municipal or provincial government entities employing the emergency responders may be held responsible for their employees’ actions, vehicle maintenance issues, or policy failures.
- Other Drivers – In some cases, other vehicles on the road may have contributed to the collision by failing to yield to an emergency vehicle with sirens activated.
Every case depends on the specific facts and evidence surrounding the crash. A personal injury lawyer can help establishing liability and ensure that all potentially responsible parties are held accountable.
Alberta Law: What Special Privileges Do Emergency Vehicles Have?
Under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act, emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars may disregard certain traffic signals or speed limits while responding to an emergency, provided they are using their lights and sirens.
However, these privileges are not unlimited. The law requires that emergency vehicle drivers operate their vehicles in a safe manner and with due care for the safety of others. If an emergency vehicle driver fails to take reasonable precautions—such as ensuring intersections are clear before proceeding through a red light—they may still be found negligent.
Courts have repeatedly reinforced this balance. For example, in past cases, the court found that even though police officers were responding to emergencies, their actions were unreasonable given the circumstances — meaning they could be held liable for the resulting accident.
What to Do After an Accident Involving an Emergency Vehicle
A collision with an emergency vehicle can be overwhelming. Here are the key steps to protect your safety and preserve your legal rights:
1. Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Help
After the accident, move to the nearest curb or a safe location away from oncoming traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Medical records are essential when filing personal injury claims later.
2. Contact the Police
Even if a police car or ambulance was involved, you still have the right to request a police report documenting the accident scene. This official accident report serves as vital evidence when filing insurance or legal claims.
3. Gather Evidence
If possible, take photos of:
- The vehicles involved and the intersection
- Visible injuries
- Traffic signals, road conditions, and debris
- Emergency lights or sirens in use at the time of the collision
Obtain witness statements from other drivers or pedestrians and record contact details for all parties involved.
4. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company promptly about the accident caused by an emergency vehicle. Provide them with the police report, photos, and witness information. Your insurance provider will guide you through the claims process, which may involve collision coverage for vehicle repairs and property damage.
5. Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
Because these cases often involve government entities and strict filing deadlines, it’s crucial to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will help you understand your legal options, determine who is liable, and guide you through any required legal action to recover damages.
What Makes Emergency Vehicle Accidents Unique
Unlike typical car accidents, emergency vehicle collisions often occur at high speed and involve multiple vehicles. The force of these impacts can lead to severe injuries, including broken bones, internal bleeding, spinal trauma, and head injuries.
Additionally, because emergency responders may be performing their duties under special privileges, proving negligence requires careful legal analysis. A strong legal team can examine whether the driver used sirens activated, approached intersections cautiously, and acted within traffic laws.
Establishing Fault in Emergency Vehicle Accidents
To succeed in a personal injury claim, you must prove that the emergency vehicle driver or their employer acted negligently. This typically requires showing that they:
- Breached their duty of care.
- Failed to drive in a safe manner under the circumstances.
- Caused the collision and resulting injuries or property damage.
Examples include:
- Running a red light without ensuring the intersection was clear.
- Driving through green lights or intersections at unsafe speeds while responding.
- Operating a fire truck or ambulance with defective brakes.
- Ignoring visibility and road conditions.
If the court found that the emergency vehicle driver failed to act reasonably, they—and potentially their employer—can be held liable for damages.
Your Right to Compensation
Victims injured in emergency vehicle accidents have the right to recover damages for losses such as:
- Medical expenses and ongoing treatment
- Property damage to their vehicle
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Funeral expenses in cases of wrongful death
A personal injury lawyer can ensure that you receive the fair compensation you’re entitled to under Alberta law.
Challenges in Claims Against Emergency Responders
Filing a personal injury claim against a government entity comes with added legal hurdles. Municipal and provincial agencies often have strict notice periods and immunity provisions that can complicate cases.
Victims must act quickly — missing these deadlines could prevent you from pursuing legal action altogether. That’s why seeking legal advice as early as possible is essential.
How Grover Law Firm Can Help
At Grover Law Firm, we’ve built a reputation for holding negligent drivers, emergency responders, and government entities accountable for their actions. Our injury lawyers handle every stage of the case — from gathering evidence and working with insurance companies to representing clients in court.
Our firm provides:
- Full investigation of the accident scene
- Access to expert witnesses and crash reconstruction specialists
- Direct communication with insurance adjusters
- Strong advocacy to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses
When emergency vehicle accidents result in life-changing injuries, our legal team stands ready to protect your rights with unwavering dedication.
Real-World Example: When the Court Found Negligence
In a notable Alberta case, a police officer responding to an emergency call ran a red light at an intersection without activating his sirens. A civilian vehicle entered legally on a green light, resulting in a catastrophic collision. The court found the officer liable because he failed to exercise due care, even while performing his duty.
This case underscores a vital point: while emergency responders can lawfully exceed speed limits and ignore some traffic signals, they must still operate their vehicles safely.
Protecting Yourself After an Emergency Vehicle Crash
If you’ve been injured in a collision involving a fire truck, ambulance, or police car, follow these key steps:
- Move to safety and seek medical attention immediately.
- Document the accident thoroughly and obtain witness statements.
- Get a copy of the police report and keep all medical records.
- Notify your insurance company about the incident.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer to explore your legal options.
Quick action helps preserve critical evidence and strengthens your personal injury claim.
Accountability Matters
Emergency responders play a vital role in protecting the public, but when their negligence causes harm, victims deserve justice. Whether it’s a fire truck speeding through a red light, an ambulance driver losing control, or a police car colliding at an intersection, no one is above the law.
If you or a loved one were involved in an emergency vehicle accident, don’t navigate the aftermath alone. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Grover Law Firm are ready to stand by your side and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Call (403) 253-1029 today or contact us online for a free consultation.
Let our experienced legal team help you pursue justice after an emergency vehicle collision — and ensure your rights are fully protected under Alberta law.