A car near the 300 block of South Laramie Avenue collided with an ambulance around 5:00 a.m. on Friday morning. The driver of the car and a passenger in the vehicle took off on foot and fled the scene after the crash.
Two paramedics were in the ambulance at the time of the collision and both were injured. They were transported by a separate ambulance to West Suburban Medical Center where their conditions were unknown.
The driver of the car involved and the passenger both fled the scene and were not immediately apprehended. It is not clear whether the driver will face any charges if apprehended but it is likely that a charge of leaving the scene might result. Local police have not said whether they know the identity of the driver or whether that remains unclear at this point in time.
Illinois law requires that all drivers yield to ambulances and other emergency vehicles when the vehicle is responding to an emergency with lights and sirens activated. These vehicles have an automatic right-of-way at intersections, even if facing a red light. The laws are so clear that the majority of accidents involving emergency vehicles are due to the negligence of another driver.
When an accident occurs, the police are responsible for investigating the incident and issuing any citations. In addition to any traffic violations or criminal charges, an at-fault driver may be civilly liable for any injuries resulting from a crash. In this case, if the driver of the car caused the collision, the driver may be liable to both paramedics for their injuries.
Since the injured paramedics were working at the time of the crash, they are also eligible for another claim. Illinois workers who are hurt on the job, regardless of how the accident occurred or who was at-fault for the accident, are allowed to make a claim for their injuries and any time they must miss due to their damages. Workers may also be entitled to a lump sum at the conclusion of a case.
If you have been hurt in a car accident while at work or with a hit-and-run driver, call the Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. and let us provide you with a free, no-obligation telephone consultation. We are standing by 24 hours a day to take your call at (312) 924-7575 so please call us now.
Prior Blog Entries:
Many Boaters Still Operate Under the Influence Despite Risks, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 5, 2013.
CTA Bus and Dump Truck Collide, Seriously Injuring CTA Worker, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 3, 2013.
Resources:
Two Paramedics Hurt In Hit-And-Run Ambulance Crash, CBS Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times Media Wire, published July 5, 2013.