46-Year-Old Woman From Cinnaminson Injured In Haddonfield Fire Truck Accident By Kings Highway East Near Haddon Avenue
HADDONFIELD, NEW JERSEY (February 26, 2020) – A 46-year-old woman from Cinnaminson was injured in an accident with a Haddonfield Borough fire truck near Kings Highway East and Haddon Avenue.
New Jersey police officials are saying that the collision occurred around 8:00 p.m. For reasons that remain under investigation a fire truck hit the woman as it was turning onto Kings Highway from Haddon Avenue.
The victim was knocked to the ground and sustained serious injuries. An ambulance was called to the scene and took the woman to the Trauma Center at Cooper University Hospital.
The fire truck involved in the accident did not have lights and sirens and was on a community service assignment. The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office is currently investigating the accident at this time.
Liability In Haddonfield Fire Truck Accidents
Accidents involving fire trucks and other emergency vehicles have continued to rise in the United States. According to one report from the NHTSA, there have been around 31,600 accidents involving fire trucks over a ten year period. Around 70% of the time those fire trucks were being used during the course of an emergency. Fire trucks are extremely heavy and often leave victims with very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head trauma
- Lacerations
- PTSD
Fire trucks are an extremely important part of our emergency response system. But fire truck operators must still abide by traffic rules. Like all authorized emergency vehicles fire trucks may speed or commit various other infractions insofar as they are responding to emergencies with their lights and sirens on. This last part is important. The fire truck’s lights and sirens are what warn unsuspecting drivers about their presence.
Still, even when fire truck operators are responding to an emergency they must use due care to avoid causing accidents. According to New Jersey Vehicle Code 39:4-91. (a), “This section shall not relieve the driver of any authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall it protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any immunity or defense otherwise provided by law.”
When fire truck operators are not responding to an emergency they are held to the same standard as everyone else. Fire truck operators that hit pedestrians while turning will typically be held at fault. All drivers are supposed to check for pedestrians and oncoming vehicles before making turns. There are a number of causes of pedestrian accidents including:
- Drivers may have an obstructed view while turning
- Drivers may fail to check blind spots
- Drivers may misjudge the gap of the intersection
- Drivers may be fatigued
- Drivers may be intoxicated
- Drivers may be under the influence of prescription or over the counter medications
When a fire truck operator is negligent and hits a pedestrian the county that they work for could potentially be held at fault. Generally speaking, counties are vicariously liable for the negligent conduct of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. Victims of fire truck accidents will typically have legal recourse through bodily injury claims. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A fire truck accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Getting Help After A Haddonfield Fire Truck Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to the Cinnaminson woman injured in this accident. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to the the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office as they conduct their investigation. Pedestrian accidents are largely preventable when drivers keep their eyes on the road and obey traffic safety laws. There needs to be some accountability for what happened.
