MD Crash Victim Wins $3 Million Verdict | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

According to the Washington Examiner, a $3 million verdict was recently rendered against a police officer for a crash he caused with a county leased car.

The Maryland (MD) woman who was injured in the 2008 accident won the case against a Prince George’s County Officer after she was hit by his vehicle. The undercover officer for the Narcotics Enforcement Division was not on duty at the time, but was driving on the wrong side of the road.

The officer violated police rules by driving the county issued vehicle out of the county without permission, according to police spokesman Cpl. Evan Baxter. It was unclear if the officer was punished for causing the crash–he’s still employed by the department. The victim had to undergo surgery on both knees and receive treatment for fractures in her right foot, left hip and pelvic area.

The $3.1 million judgment will be reduced to just over $2 million due to state lawsuit damage caps.

We offer our sympathies to the victim, who not only had to suffer through a terrible accident and recuperation period, but will not be allowed to collect the full amount that she is owed because of state law. No one is above the law, and police officers have a special responsibility to protect the public, whether or not they are on duty.

This accident could easily have been prevented if the officer in question simply took the time to look where he was driving. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, you may need a qualified injury attorney to determine if you are owed compensation.

IW