Emergency Vehicle Accident Solicitors
Injured in a collision with a police car, ambulance or fire engine? You still have rights, and we’re here to protect them.
Emergency vehicles are there to protect us, but when a blue-light accident occurs, you might be unsure what to do next.
Accidents involving emergency service vehicles are unique. High speeds, urgent responses, and unpredictable road conditions mean these cases require careful investigation and experienced legal handling. At Talbots Law, our emergency response accident solicitors have extensive experience supporting people injured in collisions involving police cars, ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles.
Whether your accident happened while they were responding to an incident, overtaking traffic, navigating a junction, or using blue lights and sirens, we’ll guide you through the process with clarity and confidence. We’ll gather evidence, establish liability, and negotiate firmly on your behalf, ensuring you receive the compensation and support you need to recover.
Can I claim compensation if an emergency vehicle hit me?
Yes. You can often claim compensation if you were injured because an emergency vehicle driver acted negligently. The normal rules of the road apply to all emergency response vehicles, including police vehicles, fire engines and ambulances, when they are not travelling to an emergency under blue light conditions (for example, in response to a 999 call).
In these circumstances, being involved in a road traffic accident with an emergency vehicle is treated in the same way as an accident involving any other car or vehicle.
Can I claim if I was hit by an emergency vehicle with blue lights on?
Yes. Even when using blue lights and responding to a 999 call, emergency response drivers must comply with strict training and safety standards. A blue-light exemption does not remove the duty to drive safely. Emergency response drivers have an ongoing responsibility to assess risk and ensure that other road users are not put in danger.
Examples of blue-light collision cases where you may be able to claim compensation include:
- The emergency response driver failing to slow at red lights or junctions
- Overtaking unsafely on the wrong side of keep left bollards
- Speeding without proper visibility or in excess of the guidelines issued when travelling to emergency response situations
- Failing to use sirens or lights correctly to warn other users of their approach
- Illegitimate use of sirens and lights by emergency response drivers when not actually attending a real emergency response situation.
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, passengers and motorcyclists can all bring emergency vehicle accident claims. If the driving of an emergency response driver fell below the required standard and caused your accident, you may have a valid blue light collision claim.
Find out more about emergency vehicle collision claims in our frequently asked questions below.
Get in touch with a member of our team today to arrange a meeting with a specialist emergency vehicle accident solicitor. Call us on 0800 118 1500 or complete the form below.
Why should I trust Talbots’ Emergency Vehicle Accident Solicitors?
At Talbots Law, we understand that being involved in a road accident can be overwhelming and stressful. Our solicitors combine extensive expertise in road traffic accident claims that involve emergency vehicles with a personal, supportive approach to every client. We take the time to listen, understand your individual circumstances, and guide you through each step of the legal process.
In addition, our specialist emergency response service is unique in that our highly experienced lawyers are able to deal with both the Defence and Claimant aspects of your case.
Our track record speaks for itself, we have successfully secured significant compensation for clients with a wide range of injuries. Working on a No Win No Fee basis, we put your needs first and manage your claim efficiently, keeping you informed throughout. Our goal is to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible while maximising your chance of a successful outcome, giving you confidence that you are in expert hands.
Frequently asked questions
What is classed as an emergency vehicle accident?
An emergency vehicle accident is any road traffic collision involving a police car, ambulance, fire engine or other emergency responder, whether or not their blue lights and sirens were activated. These accidents can happen at junctions, roundabouts, while overtaking, during high-speed responses, or when other drivers are attempting to give way.
Even though emergency vehicles can legally exceed speed limits in certain circumstances, they must still drive with due care and attention. If they fail to do so and you’re injured as a result, you may be entitled to make an emergency services accident claim.
What evidence do I need for an emergency vehicle accident claim?
Helpful evidence includes:
-
dashcam or CCTV footage
-
witness statements
-
photos of the scene and damage
-
police reports and incident logs
-
medical records
-
details of the emergency vehicle involved
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this, our emergency vehicle accident solicitors can help gather the evidence needed to build a strong case.
What compensation could I receive for an incident with an emergency vehicle?
Compensation varies depending on the seriousness of your injury and its impact on your life. You could claim for:
-
pain, suffering and long-term symptoms
-
loss of earnings
-
medical treatment and rehabilitation
-
vehicle repairs
-
travel expenses
-
psychological support
-
future financial losses
More serious injuries often result in higher settlements, especially when long-term care or life-changing effects are involved.
What if I was partly at fault?
Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you may still be entitled to compensation. This is known as contributory negligence. For example, you might have misjudged the speed of the emergency vehicle, failed to give way in time, or made an error at a junction.
In these cases, your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility. So, if the court or insurer determines you were 20% at fault, your final payout would be reduced by that percentage.
Your solicitor will carefully assess the circumstances of your accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurers to ensure your portion of compensation is maximised. Even when shared fault exists, it’s still worth pursuing a claim, as you can recover a significant amount.
What if the emergency services claim that I am at fault?
If proceedings have been issued against you by any of the emergency services, including the police, fire or ambulance services, our specialist lawyers are highly experienced in both defending the claim brought against you and, where appropriate, pursuing a counterclaim on your behalf against the relevant emergency service within the same action.
Who pays the compensation in emergency vehicle accident claims?
Compensation is usually paid by the emergency service’s insurer, not the individual driver. Each emergency service, whether it’s the police, ambulance, or fire service, carries insurance to cover accidents caused by their vehicles while responding to incidents.
This means:
-
You’re not pursuing the driver personally, which protects both you and them.
-
The insurer handles the claim, negotiating settlements or defending liability if needed.
-
Your solicitor liaises directly with the insurer to ensure your claim is handled fairly and efficiently.
Using an experienced emergency vehicle accident solicitor is essential, because insurers may initially deny responsibility or minimise the payout. Having a solicitor ensures your case is investigated thoroughly, your rights are protected, and you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Do you offer No Win No Fee cases?
We proudly offer our clients a Conditional Fee Agreement, commonly known as a ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement, but we apply it with professional diligence to ensure the best outcome for all parties.
We offer this arrangement in the vast majority of personal injury cases. Each case is carefully assessed on its individual merits.
After reviewing the details of your claim, we’ll determine the likelihood of success. If we believe your case has a strong chance of winning, we’ll proceed on a No Win No Fee basis, giving you peace of mind as to protection from financial risk.
If a claim does not meet our threshold for success, we will advise you honestly, ensuring you only pursue cases with a realistic chance of compensation.
Our Emergency Vehicle Accident Solicitors are here to help
Contact us for a confidential, no obligation chat.
Our team are ready to help you!
Our Emergency Vehicle Accident Team
Elizabeth Rimell
Director and Solicitor
Elizabeth is a Director and Solicitor within the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence department, based at our Worcester office
Hollie North
Personal Injury Executive
Hollie is a Personal Injury Executive specialising in claims following accidents at work, product liability, road traffic accidents and accidents caused by slips or falls.
Megan Poyser
Senior Associate & Solicitor
Megan Poyser is a Senior Associate & Solicitor in our Dispute Resolution Team, based in our Hanley office.
Paul Woolliscroft
Director & Regional Head of Dispute Resolution (Solicitor)
Paul Woolliscroft is a Director & Regional Head of Dispute Resolution (Solicitor) in our Dispute Resolution Team, based in our Hanley office.
Perminder Devgun
Director & Chartered Legal Executive
Perminder is a Director and Chartered Legal Executive within the Personal Injury Department, primarily based at our Stourbridge office.
Rajni Kandola
Senior Associate & Solicitor
Rajni qualified as a Solicitor in 2014 at a national firm and has since dedicated her career to personal injury claims, specifically high-value disease claims.
Sharonpreet Bains
Associate Solicitor
Sharonpreet Bains is an Associate Solicitor specialising in personal injury & clinical negligence, based in our Coventry Office.