Accidents With Fire Trucks and Other Emergency Vehicles in Austin, TX

Being struck by a fire truck or other emergency vehicle rushing to an incident can leave you facing devastating injuries. Because of their size, weight, and high speeds, crashes involving emergency vehicles often cause far more serious damage than typical car accidents.

These cases are also legally complex. Special rules apply when an emergency vehicle is involved, and you need to act quickly to protect your rights. An experienced attorney can help determine liability and guide you through the claim process.

At McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 40 years of combined experience standing up for accident victims in Austin, Texas. Our legal team knows how to handle challenging claims against government entities and insurance companies. We fight aggressively to recover the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Austin emergency vehicle accident lawyer at (512) 474-0222.

How McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You Are Hurt in a Fire Truck or Other Emergency Vehicle Accident in Austin, TX

If you’ve been injured in a collision with a fire truck or another emergency vehicle in Austin, you may feel overwhelmed about what to do next. At McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers, we are here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Here’s how our Austin personal injury attorneys can help:

• Investigating the crash – Gathering police reports, witness statements, and expert opinions to determine how the accident happened.
• Identifying liability – Evaluating whether the emergency vehicle driver, government entity, or another party is responsible for your damages.
• Handling insurance negotiations – Standing up to insurance companies that try to minimize or deny your claim.
• Calculating your damages – Ensuring you pursue full compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
• Representing you in court – Taking your case to trial when insurers refuse to offer a fair settlement.

Our team has decades of combined experience handling complex injury cases in Austin. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can fight for your recovery. 

Who May Be Responsible for an Accident Caused by an Emergency Vehicle?

Determining liability after a collision with a fire truck, ambulance, or police vehicle can be more complicated than in a typical car accident. While emergency vehicles are allowed certain privileges—such as running red lights or exceeding the speed limit while using lights and sirens—they must still operate with due regard for the safety of others on the road.

Depending on the circumstances, several parties could be held responsible:

• The emergency vehicle driver – if they were negligent, such as by failing to use sirens, driving recklessly, or not exercising proper caution at intersections.
• The government agency or municipality – since many emergency vehicles are owned and operated by city or county departments, the agency may share liability for the accident.
• A third-party driver – if another motorist’s actions contributed to the crash, such as failing to yield properly or making an unsafe maneuver.
• Vehicle manufacturers or maintenance providers – in rare cases, defective parts or poor maintenance on the emergency vehicle may have played a role.

Because these claims often involve government entities and strict filing deadlines under the Texas Tort Claims Act, it’s critical to consult an experienced attorney right away. A lawyer can investigate the crash, identify all responsible parties, and ensure that your claim is filed properly to preserve your right to compensation.

What Compensation is Available in an Accident Caused by Fire Trucks and Other Emergency Vehicles?

Damages in a fire truck and emergency vehicle accident may include both economic and non-economic damages.

• Economic damages – include medical costs, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and other damages that have a specific dollar amount attached. 
• Non-economic damages – include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and other damages with no specific dollar value that impact your well-being.

An experienced Austin personal injury lawyer can help you calculate the full value of both economic and non-economic damages to ensure you pursue the maximum compensation available after an emergency vehicle accident.

Can I Be Held Partially Responsible for the Accident Causing My Injuries and Receive Compensation? 

Texas’s modified comparative negligence laws allow for assigning proportionate responsibility in an accident. An insurance company for the negligent party may assign more responsibility to you for the accident than you deserve. While this saves them money, it can significantly reduce your compensation. We will fight for the optimal outcome using evidence to substantiate your claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim Involving an Emergency Vehicle in Austin?

In most Texas personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, accidents involving fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, or other government-operated vehicles often fall under the Texas Tort Claims Act, which sets additional rules and much shorter deadlines. 

In many cases, you may need to provide formal notice of your claim to the responsible government agency within just six months of the crash—and some local governments have even stricter deadlines. Missing these time limits could mean losing your right to pursue compensation. Because of these complexities, it’s important to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to protect your claim and preserve critical evidence.

Contact Our Austin Fire Truck and Other Emergency Vehicle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation 

Collisions with fire trucks and other emergency vehicles are some of the most complex and overwhelming cases an accident victim can face. Between serious injuries, government liability rules, and tight filing deadlines, you should not have to navigate the process alone. At McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers, we bring decades of combined experience and a proven track record of success to every case we handle.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident involving a fire truck, ambulance, or police vehicle, our team is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call today to schedule your free consultation with an Austin emergency vehicle accident attorney and take the first step toward protecting your rights and your future.