Investigation Underway After Ambulance Involved In Fatal Bronx Collision With Motorcycle Rider On Pelham Parkway
BRONX, NEW YORK (October 20, 2024) – A motorcyclist has tragically died in a collision with an ambulance along Pelham Parkway.
New York City officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. The motorcyclist was heading down the roadway when he was hit by an FDNY ambulance.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help everyone. All of the people in the ambulance were hospitalized.
Tragically, the motorcycle rider died due to their injuries. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Crashes Involving Emergency Vehicles
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in accidents with emergency vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2022, 224 people died in crashes involving emergency vehicles. Half of these deaths were occupants of non-emergency vehicles (50%). Deaths among pedestrians accounted for another 22%, while emergency vehicle drivers represented 16% and emergency vehicle passengers accounted for about 8% of the deaths.” There are a number of factors that may contribute to car accidents.
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
Pursuant to N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 1104, emergency drivers are allowed to perform a number of maneuvers that would otherwise be illegal. However, these drivers must be responding to an actual emergency with their lights and sirens on. When an ambulance is not in the middle of an emergency with their lights and sirens on, they must obey all traffic rules like every other driver. If an ambulance collides with a vehicle while not responding to an emergency, they could be held at fault through a civil claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after any ambulance accident.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- An experienced motorcycle accident attorney should be contacted.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability for an ambulance accident may extend beyond any driver. The company that an ambulance driver worked for could be held vicariously liable. Employers are typically liable for the wrongful acts of their employees. According to Judith M. v. Sisters of Charity Hosp., 93 N.Y.2d 932, 933 (1999) respondeat superior will apply “so long as the tortious conduct is generally foreseeable and a natural incident of the employment.” The family of any person killed in an ambulance accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Investigating Bronx Ambulance Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of the motorcyclist killed in this collision. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Do you need more information about a Bronx ambulance accident? Our team of motorcycle accident attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
