A fender-bender at a traffic light involving an ambulance could result in both parties sharing the financial burden, as per a recent ruling by the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court (OLG). In this particular incident, a car and an emergency vehicle were approaching a junction with traffic lights simultaneously. The light was green for the car, while the emergency vehicle was stuck at a red light. The car, oblivious to the emergency vehicle's sirens and flashing lights, moved into the left lane and collided with the ambulance.
Both vehicles sustained damage after the collision, leading to a dispute regarding compensation. Initially, the car owner sued for 75% of the damage, but the Regional Court ruled that compensation should be split equally. Following appeals from both parties, the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court upheld the Regional Court's decision.
In the eyes of the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court, the emergency ambulance driver breached their duty of care by disregarding road safety during an operation, despite having special rights to disregard standard traffic regulations. Simultaneously, the car driver was found to have committed a serious traffic offense by not heeding the emergency vehicle's special signals.
This court decision serves as a reminder to drivers to pay close attention to emergency vehicles, regardless of the situation, to ensure safety and avoid potential financial consequences. Future cases involving similar circumstances might result in similar judgments, emphasizing the importance of obeying traffic rules during crises such as emergencies.
[1] Courts order damages to be shared following ambulance collison in Wetzlar [2] Legal implications of accidents involving emergency vehicles not discussed in sources. To fully address these implications, one would need to consult relevant legal documents or case law.
