Police officers have a job that often puts them in harm’s way. Even something as simple as a traffic stop could take a harrowing turn if a driver becomes combative or if a passing vehicle causes a collision. Unfortunately, in the latter scenario, officers can suffer severe injuries if they are outside their patrol vehicle when a crash occurs.
It was recently reported that an officer in California was involved in such an event. The officer had conducted a traffic stop and parked his vehicle on the shoulder of the road behind the stopped car. While the officer was outside his SUV, a vehicle traveling on the roadway made an unsafe lane change, which caused another vehicle to swerve to avoid hitting that vehicle. However, the second vehicle ended up colliding with the officer’s parked SUV.
The SUV was then pushed into the vehicle that was originally pulled over during the traffic stop. The officer was reported as being 30 years old and suffered severe injuries in the incident. Details regarding the type and extent of the injuries were not given in the report. Nonetheless, the officer was transported from the scene for emergency care. It was noted that the driver who made the unsafe lane change did not remain at the scene, and the incident was being considered a hit and run.
Officers are often found on or near roadways while conducting a variety of duties. Unfortunately, incidents like this one are not uncommon. As a result, the severe injuries this California officer suffered could lead to numerous setbacks, including those associated with lost wages and medical expenses. Fortunately, workers’ compensation may be able to provide some relief from those financial burdens, and seeking assistance with applying for benefits from attorneys experienced in this area of law may be important.