Often regarded as heroes, firefighters put their lives on the line when battling blazes and conducting other rescue missions. Unfortunately, a member of the South Walton Fire District, who is also an EMT, suffered serious injuries after he was struck by a car while rendering aid to other accident victims. He is still in the ICU, but his condition is labeled as stable.
What happened?
It all started when the firefighter himself was involved in a motor vehicle accident near State Road 20 the morning of Monday, Nov. 29. Another vehicle rear-ended his vehicle, and immediately following the crash, the firefighter began rendering aid to the occupants of the car that had struck his. As he was doing so, another car came along and struck the firefighter and the two other vehicles.
The firefighter was airlifted to a trauma center in the area, where he underwent several surgeries. As of the time of the report, he was still in the hospital’s intensive care unit, where he was listed as in serious but stable condition. Although he has shown signs of recovery, no word was given as to his long-term prognosis.
Legal recourse
Although the report did not mention whether the driver who struck the firefighter and two cars was driving while distracted, the Walton County Fire Rescue posted a plea on social media asking drivers to please slow down and not check their texts or social media accounts while driving. If authorities can prove the at-fault driver was texting or otherwise acting negligently behind the wheel, the injured firefighter can use that as evidence in a personal injury claim against the driver in the pursuit of much needed compensation for what will likely be extensive medical and rehabilitation expenses.