Accidents involving emergency vehicles, such as firetrucks, ambulances, and police cars, are a rising concern in the United States. These vehicles must often travel at a high rate of speed and make unsafe maneuvers to reach their destination. Studies on the number of emergency vehicle accidents in the United States have revealed shocking results.
Police Car Accident Statistics
A 2012 police vehicle report showed that, on average, someone is killed every day in a pursuit-related crash in the United States. Furthermore, the University of Washington analyzed data from 1994-2002 to determine the number of deaths caused by police pursuits each year.
The studies found that:
- Every year, there are around 300 pursuit-related fatalities in the U.S.
- More than 30% of these fatalities are people who aren’t involved in the pursuit
- Police officers have about double the rate of car accidents per million vehicles driven as the general public
Ambulance Accident Statistics
In 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report on the number of ambulance accidents in the United States from 1992-2011. North-Western National also conducted a study of 466 accidents involving ambulances.
The studies found that:
- There are around 6,500 ambulance accidents every year in the United States
- Emergency medical personnel have a higher risk of an accident than other emergency personnel
- Nearly 60% of all ambulance accidents occur during emergency use
Firetruck Accident Statistics
The NHTSA and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) report that firetruck accidents are the second leading cause of death for firefighters on duty. The NHTSA also analyzed data from 2000-2009 on the number of firetruck accidents in the United States.
The studies found that:
- There were about 31,600 firetruck accidents during that 10-year period
- Around 70% of all firetruck accidents happen while in emergency use
- Rollovers cause about 66% of all firetruck accidents in the U.S.
Diligent Representation for Emergency Vehicle Accident Victims
If you or a loved one have been injured in an emergency vehicle accident, Politis & Matovina, P.A. is here to help. Our firm has aggressively represented injured clients since 1993. Throughout the legal process, our Daytona Beach car accident attorneys will answer your questions, gather evidence, and help you seek financial relief.
Contact us today or dial (386) 333-6613 to get in touch with a member of our team. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients.