If you were injured in a collision with a police car, fire truck, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle in San Francisco or elsewhere in California, time limits are stricter than in ordinary car cases. Claims against public entities generally require formal notice within six months. At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers we handle serious traffic-injury claims and can evaluate whether a government claim must be filed and how liability works when emergency vehicles are involved.
Why Choose Sally Morin Law
We are a five-star rated, all-female California personal injury firm that has represented seriously injured clients since 1997. Our practice focuses on serious traffic-accident injuries.
Emergency-vehicle cases often involve public entities, special driving privileges under the Vehicle Code, and short claim-filing deadlines. We identify the correct defendant, the applicable deadline, and the available insurance or self-insurance arrangements.
Fee promise: We work on a pure contingency fee. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Relevant High-Severity Results
Government Claim Deadline – Do Not Miss This
If the responsible party is a public entity (city, county, state agency, or public emergency service), you generally must present a formal written claim to that entity within six months of the injury. Missing this deadline can bar the claim entirely, even if the ordinary two-year personal-injury statute has not yet expired.
This is the single most important procedural rule on emergency-vehicle cases involving public agencies. Contact counsel as soon as possible so the claim can be prepared and presented on time.
Vehicle Code rules that still apply
- Emergency vehicles may exceed speed limits and disregard certain traffic controls only when responding to an emergency with lights and sirens properly activated (CVC § 21055).
- Even then, the driver must operate with due regard for the safety of others (CVC § 21807).
- Other drivers must yield to properly signaled emergency vehicles (CVC § 21806) and move over or slow for stopped emergency and tow vehicles (CVC § 21809).
Immunity in brief
Public entities have limited immunities. Liability can still arise when an emergency driver fails to use lights and sirens as required, drives without due regard for safety, or is not actually responding to an emergency. Private tow operators and non-public entities are treated under ordinary negligence rules. We evaluate the specific facts rather than assuming immunity applies.
Ordinary rules that remain
Pure comparative negligence applies. Most non-government claims still follow the two-year statute of limitations.
Local depth
San Francisco and Bay Area emergency responses occur in dense traffic, on freeways, and at complex intersections. Collisions can involve police, fire, ambulance, or tow vehicles. Cases against city or county entities are typically handled through the government-claims process first, then, if necessary, in the appropriate superior court.
Claim process and what to do now
Immediate steps
- Seek medical care.
- Obtain the police or incident report and note any agency involved.
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, and injuries.
- Collect witness information.
- Do not give recorded statements to agency insurers without advice.
- Contact a lawyer promptly so any six-month government claim can be prepared and filed on time.
What we handle
Determination of whether a public entity is involved, preparation and presentation of the government claim when required, investigation of lights/siren status and due-regard issues, identification of insurance or self-insurance, medical documentation, and negotiation or litigation as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important deadline?
For claims against public entities, a formal claim under Government Code § 911.2 is generally due within six months of the injury. Do not wait for the ordinary two-year deadline.
Can an emergency vehicle still be held liable?
Yes. Privileges under the Vehicle Code are limited. Liability can exist when lights and sirens were not properly used or when the driver failed to exercise due regard for safety.
Does the six-month rule apply to private tow trucks?
Usually not. Private operators are typically subject to ordinary negligence rules and the two-year statute. We confirm the correct defendant early.
What if I was partly at fault?
California’s pure comparative negligence rules still allow recovery, reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
How soon should I contact a lawyer?
As soon as practical, especially if a city, county, or other public agency may be involved.
What Clients Say
Contact a California Emergency Vehicle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured by a police car, fire truck, ambulance, or tow vehicle, speak with our team promptly. The six-month government-claim deadline under Government Code § 911.2 can bar claims against public entities if missed. There is no charge for the initial conversation.
Meet Our Team
Get the settlement you deserve
Since 1997, Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers have helped clients recover compensation for serious injuries from car, motorcycle, scooter accidents, and more. Contact our expert team for help with your California injury case.
Our Location
We serve clients throughout Oakland and the East Bay from our San Francisco headquarters.