What can you do if an ambulance has hit your parked car? This scenario happens more often than you might think, and there are steps you can take to try to get some of your car repair money back. As with any case, we urge you to speak to a qualified attorney immediately about your specific case (as all cases are unique), but these are the basic steps you can take.
Your rights
Emergency vehicles have the right to break certain traffic laws in order to get to the hospital or the scene of an emergency on time. However, drivers of emergency vehicles can be held liable for hitting another car while in transit. As with any other accident, you have the right to claim damages. But unlike other accidents, getting your money can be a bit more difficult.
These are the steps to follow:
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File a Police Report
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Try to remember and write down the name of the ambulance company.
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Write down the names of the witnesses, the time of the accident and the date
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Be sure to annotate street corners or other identifying landmarks with photographs.
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Take photos of the damage done to your vehicle.
Next steps
With the help of the police report, you can call the ambulance company to state your case. The company should be able to determine the name of the ambulance driver after you have provided the proper details (as above).
In some cases, damage to the emergency vehicle can be repaired by an ambulance company, but all these repairs must be on file with the ambulance company (you will need to ask for this information). If the insurance company refuses to pay your claim and you believe the driver was driving recklessly, you may need to file a lawsuit to continue your claim.
prove your case
It is up to you to prove that an ambulance hit your vehicle, and this can be difficult to do. Since ambulance drivers are legally allowed to break some traffic laws and drive at high speeds, it can be difficult to allege reckless driving. However, it is not impossible to recover some of the money that you may have had to pay to repair your vehicle.
Since suing an ambulance company is difficult, we strongly encourage you to contact a qualified and trusted attorney today to get the help you need.