Rollover accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries.
SAPD Officer, 4 Others Hospitalized After Rollover Accident on North General McMullen
According to a News4SanAntonio report, an SAPD officer was severely injured while responding to a call on Sunday evening.¹
Police reported the accident occurred around 6:25 p.m. Sunday, November 23rd, at the intersection of North General McMullen and Blueridge Street. An SAPD officer was driving with lights and sirens activated when another vehicle entered the intersection and was struck by the patrol unit.
The impact caused the civilian vehicle to roll over, and the patrol car sustained significant front-end damage. The officer was hospitalized with severe injuries, and four occupants from the other vehicle were transported to the hospital as a precaution.
The investigation is ongoing.
Did You Know?
558 accidents in Texas last year were caused by a failure to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle, according to TxDOT data.²
Failing to Yield ROW to an Emergency Vehicle in Texas
When you hear sirens or see flashing lights in your rearview mirror, it’s instinctive to slow down or pull over — and for good reason. Emergency responders rely on other drivers to clear the way quickly so they can reach those in need without delay. Unfortunately, not everyone reacts in time, and that’s when accidents like this one can happen.
What Texas Law Requires
Under Texas Transportation Code §545.156, drivers must:
-
Pull over to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and sirens activated.
-
Clear the intersection first, if already inside one, before yielding.
-
On multilane roads, move as far right as safely possible and slow down or come to a complete stop until the emergency vehicle passes.
Failing to yield is a traffic violation — but when it leads to a crash, the driver may face civil liability for injuries, medical costs, and property damage.
Why These Accidents Happen
Collisions involving police, fire, or EMS vehicles often occur because:
-
Drivers panic and stop suddenly in the vehicle’s path.
-
The motorist fails to hear or recognize sirens due to loud music or distraction.
-
Congestion or confusion at intersections creates unpredictable traffic patterns.
-
Drivers try to “chase” emergency vehicles to cut through traffic.
Even a brief hesitation or misjudgment can have devastating consequences when emergency crews are traveling at higher speeds.
Protecting Yourself and Emergency Responders
Drivers can reduce risk and help speed up emergency response by:
-
Staying alert and keeping distractions low.
-
Yielding early, before the emergency vehicle reaches your location.
-
Avoiding blocked intersections—never stop on the crossway.
-
Never tailgating or attempting to follow emergency vehicles.
Small actions like these safeguard both responders and surrounding motorists.
When You’re Involved in a Crash With an Emergency Vehicle
Accidents involving emergency responders are handled with special scrutiny. Fault is not automatically assigned to or against the emergency vehicle. Investigators examine:
-
Whether the lights and sirens were properly activated
-
Traffic control signals at the intersection
-
The speeds of both drivers
-
Whether each driver followed Texas law
If you were injured and believe the emergency vehicle operator acted negligently — for example, by entering the intersection unsafely — speaking with a personal injury attorney is critical. Claims involving government agencies have strict notice deadlines, and missing them can bar recovery completely.
What If Another Driver’s Failure to Yield Causes an Accident That Involves You?
Many crashes involving emergency vehicles happen because a third driver fails to yield, starting a chain reaction. For instance:
-
A driver who refuses to pull over forces the emergency vehicle to swerve.
-
A stalled or stopped car blocks the lane that responders need to pass.
-
A driver who freezes in the middle of an intersection causes the emergency vehicle to collide with another car — possibly yours.
In these situations, the negligent driver who failed to yield may be held legally responsible, even if their vehicle never touched yours.
Texas law is clear: drivers must move aside and make way. Failing to do so can make them liable for all resulting injuries and damage.
Injured in an Accident With an Emergency Vehicle? Call Shaw.
Accidents involving emergency responders can be complex, and determining fault requires careful investigation. If you or a loved one has been injured because another driver failed to yield — or because an emergency vehicle entered an intersection unsafely — you may be entitled to compensation for:
-
Ambulance Costs
-
ER Treatment
-
Surgeries
-
Medical Bills
-
Pain and Suffering
-
Property Damage
-
Missed Work
-
Wrongful Death
-
And More
We can help you find out for free.
Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today or use the live chat to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys. No fees. No obligations. Just expert legal advice.
We put our clients first because we care.
We look forward to serving you.
²TxDOT Crash Contributing Factors 2024