Car vs. firetruck

[blckice498 1]

"A car versus fire truck accident on the westbound arterial in the City of Poughkeepsie held up rush hour traffic for over an hour this morning." (12-21-10)

Poughkeepsie Journal Story

(link fixed)

who would be at fault?

Edited December 23, 2010 by blckice498

[helicopper 1,050]

If the article is accurate and the fire truck stopped at the intersection and then started to proceed when it was hit, the driver of the civilian vehicle would be at fault. I'm sure this guy's lawyer will argue that the fire truck should have remained stopped because of cross traffic (his client) but there is a requirement to yield to emergency vehicles so its a pretty weak argument.

Of course being a no-fault state, it probably won't make a darn bit of difference.

[FFFORD 27]

I agree with Helicopper. If he cleared the intersection and the civilian failed to yield, it is his/her fault. But as helicopper said, they will probably argue it.

[OnTheWheel 43]

It didn't say anything about lights/sirens. If activated the truck wins this hands down. If not, thats another story if the other car, in fact, had the green light as stated in the article.

[blckice498 1]

From what I heard they were enroute to a porch fire

[Alpinerunner 61]

It didn't say anything about lights/sirens. If activated the truck wins this hands down. If not, thats another story if the other car, in fact, had the green light as stated in the article.

I was taught in EVOC that lights and sirens only request the right of way in intersections. The right of way has to be given by the driver with the right of way, and in this case the driver wiht the green light did not give right of way. At least that's how I think the law will look at it. We all know what SHOULD have happened.

[64FFMJK 21]

The law also states the driver of any emergency vehicle will drive "WITH DUE REGARD". Any lawyer will argue that an emergency vehicle going past a red light or other negative traffic control device and involved in an accident even if not the operators fault was not operated with due regard since we should all expect the other drivers to be idiots and not paying any attention.

All that really matters in this accident is that every one walked away.

[Bnechis 3,961]

It didn't say anything about lights/sirens. If activated the truck wins this hands down.

If the 35,000+ Ibs. fire truck hits or is hit by a 4,000 Ibs. The truck always wins, the lawyers/judge just decide how much it will cost.

[wraftery 1,275]

The Firefighter is at fault!

Why? Because this is 2010. Everything is somehow the Firefighters fault.

The economy? Our fault

Low private sector pensions? Our fault

Gulf war? Our fault...retaliation for our 343

Global warming? Our fault...we go shopping with rigs

Civilian fire death? Our fault...slow response

Vehicle accident? Our fault...driving too fast

[flyers 0]

There are a lot of circumstances that occurred that were not in the journal article. Try to to judge what the driver should or shouldn't have done because the whole story isn't in there and some of it is incorrect anyway.

[helicopper 1,050]

There are a lot of circumstances that occurred that were not in the journal article. Try to to judge what the driver should or shouldn't have done because the whole story isn't in there and some of it is incorrect anyway.

Of course there are facts not included in the Journal article. The question posed was based upon the information available and nobody is judging the apparatus operator or commenting on what he should or should not have done. All that's being discussed is right of way and yielding requirements.

[flyers 0]

No wonder no one reads it anymore, terrible reporting.