Being hit by an ambulance may sound like a rare event, but it can and does happen. In South Carolina, victims of a motor vehicle accident involving an emergency vehicle like an ambulance often face a complex web of insurance company red tape, potential immunity laws, and the emotional shock of being hit by those meant to provide emergency medical help.
Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Get Medical Attention
Immediately after the accident, if you’re able, move to a safe location and call 911. Not only is this important for your safety, but the accident scene must be documented properly. Ask for medical assistance from emergency personnel at the crash scene, even if injuries seem minor.
Document all injuries and keep your medical records organized. Even what feels like a minor bump could later lead to neck injuries, spinal injuries, or worsening physical pain. Injuries from a collision with an ambulance may not show symptoms right away, so it’s essential to receive a full medical evaluation and continue with recommended follow-ups.
Step 2: Contact Law Enforcement Officers and Get a Police Report
When an ambulance is involved in a crash, a police department or the South Carolina Highway Patrol must respond. Their official traffic collision report and accident police report will become key in determining fault. Make sure to:
- Provide accurate accident descriptions
- Collect the official statement from law enforcement officers
- Request a copy of the police report ASAP
If possible, also get eyewitness statements from viewers at the smash scene.These witnesses may be essential in proving the sequence of events and supporting your case, especially if there is a dispute over what happened.
Step 3: Collect Evidence for Your Private Injury Claim
To build a strong personal injury claim, gather everything you can:
- Photos of the vehicle damage and property damage
- Names of involved emergency workers and drivers
- Location, road and traffic laws details
- The ambulance number and agency info (county or city based)
- Video footage (dash cams, surveillance, or traffic cameras)
- Witness contact information
Some ambulance crashes occur on major roads like Interstate 20 or Savannah Highway, so knowing local road conditions and the flow of traffic matters. If distracted driving, reckless driving, or violations of the speed limit were factors, your accident attorney can use that info to pursue punitive damages.
Step 4: Understand Who May Be at Fault
The fault party in an ambulance accident may not be obvious. Was it the ambulance driver? Were they using emergency lights and sirens? Were they driving in a special hazard zone? These factors can greatly affect your ability to claim compensation.
Despite their priority on roads, emergency responders must still exercise caution. If the ambulance driver showed negligent driving behavior, such as speeding through a red light without sirens or driving recklessly while not en route to an emergency, they or the municipality they work for may be held liable.
In some cases, third-party drivers, poor road maintenance, or defective auto parts might have contributed to the crash. Establishing liability is essential to determine how you’ll pursue your claim.
Step 5: File Your Accident Claim and Seek Fair Compensation
Filing an accident claim after being hit by an ambulance can be intimidating, especially when dealing with a government entity. However, you’re entitled to pursue fair compensation for:
- Medical expenses and ongoing medical care
- Loss of wages and anticipated wage losses
- Emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment
- Vehicle damage and property damage expenses
- Future surgeries, medical services, and ambulance bills
Depending on the details, your insurance provider may also require coordination with your health insurance company or health insurance carrier. There may be health insurance liens filed depending on the type of care you received.
You may also be eligible for compensation for permanent disability, rehabilitation costs, and transportation costs for future appointments. South Carolina law permits accident saints to recover both financial and non-economic injuries in personal damage cases. Keep every receipt, bill, and invoice related to:
- Medical bills
- Pocket expenses
- Funeral expenses (in accident fatalities cases)
- Home modifications or medical equipment (if injuries caused disability)
Step 6: Watch Out for Insurance Adjusters
Once your insurance claim begins, insurance adjusters from the auto insurance company or the ambulance’s liability insurance carrier may try to minimize your settlement. Don’t give recorded statements or sign anything without consulting a personal injury lawyer.
Also, don’t be surprised if the ambulance agency blames the injured party. This tactic is used often during settlement negotiations to reduce financial compensation owed.
Adjusters may act like they’re on your side, but remember: their job is to save their company money. Never agree to a quick settlement without understanding the full extent of your injuries and damages. An experienced accident attorney can shield you from these tactics.
Step 7: Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in South Carolina
Going up against government entities or even large insurance companies requires more than filing forms. You need a trusted accident lawyer to handle:
- The insurance claims process
- Negotiating a fair settlement
- Filing lawsuits if necessary
- Challenging liability arguments and accident situation manipulations
- Helping prove you weren’t the fault driver
- Ensuring you meet filing deadlines and South Carolina’s statute of limitations
Hiring a South Carolina personal injury attorney familiar with government claims, ambulance crash liability, and local court systems significantly boosts your chances of winning your case and getting the compensation you deserve.
Final Thoughts
An ambulance crash isn’t just a confusing legal situation,it’s a violation of the public’s trust. You deserve reasonable compensation for everything you’ve lost. These cases may involve multiple parties, tight deadlines, and unique legal standards,so don’t face them alone.
Let the Ted Law Firm handle the legal pressure while you focus on healing. We’re here to investigate your accident, preserve evidence, work with medical professionals, and advocate for your maximum recovery.
Hit by an Ambulance in South Carolina? Call Ted Law Firm Now
Trust Ted Law Firm to guide you through life’s most difficult times. We’re committed to your recovery and peace of mind. We proudly represents injured moped riders and their families in Aiken, Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Atlanta,advocating for accident victims across South Carolina and Georgia. When a devastating crash turns your world upside down, you can count on Ted Law Firm to stand by your side and provide the trusted legal support you deserve.
We fight for accident victims across South Carolina. Get fair recovery for your injuries and losses No fee unless we win your compensation claim Free accident case evaluation today Call Ted Law Firm now and protect your rights!
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
