CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A viral video of a crash in Florida is bringing back painful memories for Charlotte first responders. 

• In 2003, paramedic Tim Hayes was critically injured after a tractor trailer hit an ambulance, pinning Hayes between the ambulance and the guardrail
• Paramedics say drivers aren't paying attention and won't slow down when they see emergency vehicles working a crash
• By law, if you see or hear an emergency vehicle coming your direction, you must move your car to the far right lane and, if possible, stop until the vehicle passes

Officials say a Highway Patrol trooper in Florida was working a crash north of West Palm Beach, when he was hit by another car. Officials say a van struck the back of a car and the car spun out of control, hitting the trooper. 

First responders in Charlotte says this happens far more often than people think. 

In 2003, paramedic Tim Hayes was critically injured after a tractor trailer hit an ambulance, pinning Hayes between the ambulance and the guardrail. Both of Hayes' legs were partially amputated as a result of the crash. 

Paramedics say drivers aren't paying attention and won't slow down when they see emergency vehicles working a crash. 

"When we're out on road on a scene, a highway or street, there are a lot of times where we have to make certain we step to the other side of our vehicle for our safety. Folks just don't move over, they don't pay attention to the emergency vehicle sitting there on the side of the road, and they just continue same speed," says Michael Stanford, the operations manager for Mecklenburg EMS. 

This means first responders are changing the way they work to keep themselves safe.

"You'll find that responders are watching the traffic. So, if I'm on the side of the highway now, I'm not 100 percent focused on the patient I'm dealing with, or the person I'm talking to. I'm constantly turned and looking towards the traffic," Stanford says.  "So when I work an incident now, I never have my back towards the traffic, I always try to keep myself turned so that I can see and react to something that happens."  

By law, if you see or hear an emergency vehicle coming your direction, you must move your car to the far right lane and, if possible, stop until the vehicle passes. 

If you see a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on, slow down and move to a safe travel lane.