When an ambulance, police cruiser, or fire truck appears in your rearview mirror, most drivers instinctively move aside. Even so, collisions happen—and when they do, people often ask “what happens if an emergency vehicle hits you” because these crashes follow different rules than a typical accident. At The Williams Firm, we know how confusing these moments can be, especially when the driver who struck you was responding to an emergency call. Our goal is to give injured Tennesseans a clear understanding of their rights and what the law requires in these situations.
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Liability in Accidents Involving Emergency Vehicles
Emergency responders receive certain privileges when they’re heading to a scene. They may drive faster than the posted limit, enter an intersection on a red light, or take other actions that would normally violate traffic laws. But those privileges are not absolute. They still must use their lights and sirens as required and avoid putting others in unnecessary danger.
Tennessee’s rules also apply to civilian drivers. According to Tennessee Code Annotated §55-10-102, drivers must pull over safely without blocking traffic more than necessary. The way you respond may factor into how fault is evaluated, which is one reason these cases require careful review.
When we investigate these claims, we look at dispatch logs, dash-camera footage, witness accounts, and traffic conditions to determine whether the emergency driver acted responsibly or whether their conduct fell outside what the law permits.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Collision
Being hit by an emergency vehicle can be intimidating. Many people aren’t sure what to do next or whether the process is the same as any other crash. Taking the right steps early protects your safety and preserves important evidence.
1. Check for injuries and move to a safer spot if possible: Your well-being comes first. Even if you feel fine, your adrenaline may be masking pain.
2. Wait for responding officers to document the crash: In emergency-vehicle collisions, a second unit is typically sent to investigate. Their report becomes a key piece of evidence.
3. Exchange information as required by law: Tennessee law requires drivers involved in a crash to share basic identifying details and provide reasonable assistance to anyone injured, as stated in Tennessee Code Annotated §55-10-103.
4. Gather as much evidence as you can: Photograph the vehicles, damage, skid marks, intersections, traffic signals, and anything else that may help reconstruct what happened. If anyone witnessed the crash, politely ask for their contact information.
5. Seek a medical evaluation: Emergency vehicles are large, heavy, and often moving quickly. Even if symptoms appear mild at first, injuries can develop later. Documentation also helps support your insurance claim.
6. Talk with a lawyer before giving recorded statements: Agencies operating emergency vehicles—whether city departments or private ambulance services—often act fast to limit their exposure. Getting legal guidance early helps you avoid missteps when speaking with investigators or insurance carriers.
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Insurance Claims and Legal Challenges With Emergency Vehicle Accidents
Claims involving emergency vehicles can be more complex than standard car accidents. Depending on who owns the vehicle, you may be dealing with government agencies, municipal insurers, or private companies. When government entities are involved, special procedures or shorter filing deadlines may apply. Missing the proper process can lead to an automatic denial, even if you did nothing wrong.
Another key factor is whether the emergency driver was actively responding to a call when the collision occurred. Their status matters because Tennessee provides certain legal protections for responders performing their duties. However, those protections do not extend to reckless or dangerous behavior.
To build a strong claim, we often review training records, fleet maintenance logs, audio recordings from dispatch, and the vehicle’s path of travel. These details help us determine whether the driver followed protocol or whether their actions created unnecessary risk.
Insurance companies may argue that emergency responders cannot be held responsible, but that isn’t always true. When the facts show that the driver failed to use required signals, drove without regard for surrounding traffic, or violated procedures, liability may still fall on the agency or company operating the vehicle.
Get Help From a Nashville Car Accident Lawyer Today
Accidents involving emergency vehicles require careful evaluation and a firm understanding of Tennessee’s traffic laws. If you were struck by an ambulance, police vehicle, or fire truck, our team is ready to guide you through the process. Call (615)-256-8880 for a free consultation and learn how our Nashville car accident lawyer at The Williams Firm can help you move forward.
Jonathan Williams
When an accident or loss turns your life upside down, you need more than a lawyer—you need a relentless advocate who knows Tennessee and fights for you like family. Jonathan Williams, a born-and-raised Nashvillian, is the owner and managing partner of The Williams Firm. He brings more than 18 years of tenacious litigation experience as a Nashville personal injury lawyer to secure justice and maximum compensation for his clients. Jonathan lives in West Nashville with his wife, Megan, and their young son, Carter. They are anxiously expecting the birth of their daughter in
