An off duty NYPD officer was left in serious condition after a car accident on the Long Island Expressway earlier this week. The officer had stopped his vehicle next to another and was walking along the shoulder when he was struck by a reckless driver. The crash occurred just after midnight near Brentwood. EMTs arrived within minutes and rushed the officer to a nearby hospital where he was listed in critical condition.
It’s unclear why the two vehicles were stopped along the side of the highway but the scenario is not uncommon. Indeed, when cars breakdown on the side of the road or when drivers must make emergency stops it’s fairly common to see one or more vehicles at the side of the highway. But getting out of your car while on the shoulder of the Long Island Expressway is not recommended. The danger that emergency crews, tow-truck operators, and concerned citizens put themselves in when they stop to help a stranded motorist is very real. The number of these individuals who are struck by reckless drivers throughout the country is staggering.
While the police officer was a trained professional and emergency responder, no amount of training can prepare you to dodge an oncoming car at highway speeds. And, unfortunately, when they are eye-catching oddities on the side of the road (like stopped vehicles) drivers are more likely to focus on those objects rather than the responsibility of maintaining control of their automobiles.
Regardless of any criminal charges this particular driver may be facing, they too could also be facing a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of the injured officer seeking compensation for pain and suffering, unpaid medical expenses and lost time from work, present and into the future.
If you’ve been struck by a careless driver while standing on the side of the road, you need an experienced car accident attorney in New York City on your side now. Contact the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for the legal help you need. Call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 right now.