In a city as busy as New York, the amount of traffic can be dangerous. Accidents are often unavoidable, but when they happen, those involved are expected to stay at the scene. Early mornings are particularly dangerous as there are a vast number of garbage trucks and delivery drivers who might not pay strict attention to the law and watch out of pedestrians. When there is an accident between a vehicle and a pedestrian, it can result in serious injuries, even death. What can make these crashes worse is if they turn into hit-and-run accidents.
A 35-year-old woman who is training to become a member of the New York Police Department (NYPD) was hit by a garbage truck approximately one block from the police academy. The accident occurred as she was crossing the street at around 6 a.m. The woman was dragged by the truck before finally being left in the street. The driver of the truck went on its way without stopping. Law enforcement was searching for the truck and the driver. It is not known whether the driver was aware of the accident. The woman was taken to the hospital where she was said to be in stable condition.
As with any accident, injuries can be a long-term affair as the person might need to be hospitalized, require surgery, be unable to get back to work or to normal, and face numerous challenges – perhaps for the rest of his or her life. Insurance companies will frequently try to offer a settlement early in the process to prevent a potentially costly legal filing. When the initial offer is made, it might sound sufficient, but it is rarely enough when all the costs are totaled. Speaking to a lawyer about a lawsuit is essential to consider a case and understand exactly how much the crash has cost.
This accident shows that no one is immune to the risk of being in a car crash. The woman who was hit was on her way to the police academy for her day in training to be an NYPD officer. Unfortunately, she found herself in the hospital after being hit by a garbage truck. This could negatively affect her career plans and her entire life. Anyone who is in a similar circumstance should remember their rights and contact a lawyer to plan for a lawsuit to be compensated.
Source: The New York Post, “NYPD recruit struck, dragged by garbage truck,” Daniel Prendergast, Oct. 30, 2017
