A 22-year-old police officer suffered critical injuries in a violent crash in November during a routine patrol. The officer was driving northeast on 163rd Street when a red car turned in front of her marked patrol vehicle at 19th Avenue. The force of the impact sent the officer’s car into a collision with a light pole before stopping.
The officer was trapped in the car, requiring rescue from emergency personnel. The driver of the other vehicle allegedly attempted to flee the scene of the crash on foot, but was hampered by two broken legs. Police are investigating whether the driver of the red car was impaired at the time of the crash. Because the driver was injured, police were unable to test for intoxication at the accident scene. Blood was taken at the hospital. Although no charges have been filed, blame is being placed on the driver of the red car.
Both drivers were taken to the hospital. The officer was placed on life support but eventually regained consciousness. She has been released from the hospital and is currently recovering.
Police officers face constant risk
Police officers are at risk every day they’re on the job, even while in the relative safety of a police cruiser. Because police spend so much time driving around, they are subject to all of the hazards and dangers of Florida roads.
When law enforcement officers are injured in a vehicle accident in the line of duty, they have a variety of options for recovering compensation. Many officers are able to collect workers’ compensation to cover medical care and partial wages. An officer’s own car insurance coverage could also cover some costs through personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. In some cases, it may also be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver responsible for the accident.
The attorneys at the firm of Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh are strong supporters of the Florida law enforcement community. If you have been injured in any type of vehicle accident, speak with a Bradenton auto accident attorney to learn about your options.