Move Over – It’s The Law!
There are many traffic rules and regulations in California. In addition to the California Vehicle Code, there are many county laws, municipal regulations, and other road rules that apply while driving in our state.
California drivers are not aware of all their legal obligations on the road. One rule that gets overlooked too often is the “Move Over” law. It is important to follow this rule that requires drivers to move over for emergency vehicles.
This rule protects the frontline workers who protect us. Ignorance of the law will not excuse violations, so drivers need to know and follow California traffic laws. Learn more about how you can protect emergency responders by following traffic regulations. Move over – it’s the law!
In the unfortunate event that you suffer injuries because of a driver that refuses to move over or engages in other dangerous driving, you should contact the California car accident lawyers of Arash Law today.
Know Your Legal Obligations
The California Department of Transportation recently marked National Move Over Day on October 19th in hopes of spreading awareness of laws that require drivers to move over for emergency vehicles. Awareness is a huge problem on this issue. Although all 50 states have enacted “Move Over” laws, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 71 percent of Americans have not heard of them.
This fact not only leads to deadly car crashes – but it can also lead to civil penalties. California’s Move Over law came into effect in 2009. Drivers who do not move over for California emergency vehicles can face fines of up to $1,000 as well as points on their driving record.
Negligent drivers can also be liable for injuries caused to emergency workers. A personal injury claim – or worse, a wrongful death suit – is a stressful process for everyone involved. Do not let yourself become the target of messy civil litigation because you did not follow your legal obligation to move over for an emergency vehicle.
Protect Those Who Protect Us
Every year, dozens of emergency workers are killed in car crashes while responding to accidents. The National Safety Council reports that 168 people died in auto accidents involving emergency vehicles in 2018. Passengers and drivers of emergency vehicles made up about a quarter of these deaths. In contrast, occupants of other vehicles made up most of these deaths (at slightly more than half).
Police vehicles were involved in the most fatal accidents, followed by ambulances and fire trucks.
The study’s interesting finding was the dramatic increase in ambulance accident rates that occurred when drivers used lights and sirens. Without lights and sirens, the crash rate for ambulances was 4.6 per hundred thousand response calls. This rate was nearly four times higher (at 16.5 accidents per response calls) when drivers used lights and sirens throughout the transport. Many potential factors contribute to this dangerous increase.
For example, when drivers use lights and sirens, ambulances are often traveling faster and can make it more difficult to avoid obstacles. Other drivers may also be less certain what to do when a speeding ambulance comes down the road unexpectedly. Speed makes it more difficult for all involved drivers to avoid collisions because they have less time to respond to the scenario. Whatever the reason, all drivers are at a higher risk of injury when a nearby ambulance uses lights and sirens.
First responders are placed in danger every day. They must often respond to auto accidents in dangerous conditions (such as rain, ice, or fog) that caused the initial accident. Their jobs are dangerous, but they are out there every day, dedicated to helping the public. It is up to California drivers to protect those who protect us.
The law requires drivers to move over for emergency vehicles, but drivers should take other common-sense precautions, as well. Slow down whenever there is an emergency vehicle in your vicinity. Allow plenty of space between your car and an emergency vehicle. Always yield the right of way, and never assume that the emergency driver sees you. These simple steps can save you from traffic citations, civil lawsuits, and many other unnecessary legal complications.
How Arash Law Can Help You After An Accident
So what should you do if you are an emergency responder injured in an auto accident?
First, it is important to get all the medical treatment you need. Be sure to follow up with a doctor after the accident – even if you do not feel injured. Once your medical condition is stable, it is time to find a personal injury lawyer. The sooner you find an accident lawyer, the better protected your legal rights will be.
You are entitled to workers‘ compensation coverage for any injuries that occurred while on the job. Workers’ compensation will not cover all of your lost wages, and it does not pay any benefits for pain and suffering, so it is important to consult with your accident lawyer about other claims you may have.
If another driver caused the accident, you are entitled to file a claim against their auto insurance policy. Your employer likely also has auto insurance policies that cover injuries sustained in your work vehicle. The experienced injury lawyers at Arash Law will help ensure that you have access to all the insurance coverage you are entitled to. Doing so protects your legal right to compensation for injuries you sustain while on the job. Some of the specific ways that we can help you recover compensation include:
- Evaluating your case and determining whether you can file a claim
- Assessing your accident-related losses and drafting and submitting a demand letter
- Attempting to negotiate a settlement agreement on your behalf
- Filing a lawsuit, if necessary
Call Us Today To Speak with A California Car Accident Lawyer
At Arash Law, we hire skilled car crash lawyers who have decades of experience. We have collected over 200 million dollars for clients across the state. We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California. Injury victims all across the state trust us to protect their legal rights. We have handled emergency vehicle claims, and we know how to handle the unique legal issues that arise in these types of cases.
We will fight hard to ensure you have access to fair compensation for all your legal claims from all applicable insurance policies. Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free consultation. Let the experienced legal professionals at Arash Law protect your legal rights so you can focus on making the best recovery possible from your injuries.
