Officers Hurt in Hit-and-Run Accidents

Two police officers were tragically hurt in separate hit-and-run car accidents last month. Both were outside of their vehicles when a driver hit them and then sped off. Hit-and-run accidents are always tragic, but in this case, the officers were injured in the line of duty while trying to help others.

 

Police Officer Injured in Florida

In Polk County, south of Orlando, a thirty-three-year-old woman called for help after driving off the road and hitting a tree. She was waiting for an officer to arrive while standing in the grass median off highway SR 60. When Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell arrived, he got out of his cruiser to assist her after calling emergency medical services. Suddenly, another vehicle heading westbound drove onto the median and hit them both.

The woman, Jessica Enchautegui-Otero, was killed and the officer sustained significant injuries. Instead of stopping, the driver sped off with no regard for the well-being of the victims.

 

Fatal Hit-and-Run in Michigan

The story in Michigan was just as tragic, and a Detroit police officer was struck down during a traffic investigation late at night on a Friday. The forty-year-old officer, Myron Jarrett, was hit by a Dodge truck that was traveling at a high speed. Although he was quickly transported to the hospital, the trip was not quick enough to prevent his death because of the serious nature of his injuries.

In this case, the driver, Steven Patrick Guzina, was caught and arrested and will be standing trial for the murder of officer Jarrett. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen in hit-and-run accidents.

 

Identifying the Guilty Driver

Many drivers speed off because they are drunk or high and have no idea what happened, while others drive off to avoid arrest. It is rare for a driver to come forward and admit guilt later on, leaving many accident victims to pick up the pieces without the much-needed closure or compensation.

Certain things can help track down drivers at fault for a hit-and-run. Eyewitness testimony can be incredibly helpful because they may have seen the make, model, and even partial plate number of the vehicle. This is typically all the police need to track down the driver.

The biggest challenge is when no one saw the vehicle or can provide an accurate description of it. However, sometimes traffic cameras capture enough footage so that an officer can locate the vehicle. Paint scrapes on your vehicle may also help to identify the guilty driver. Finally, putting out a call for help on social media can also be useful since you never know who may have seen something but not realized what they saw or didn’t think to report it.

 

Right to Sue

Once the driver of a hit-and-run has been identified, you can file a civil lawsuit against them. It is within your best interests to do so because a civil lawsuit is your only way to receive compensation to pay for injuries you sustained in the wreck if the total cost of damages exceeds your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.

Also, if someone you love was killed in a hit-and-run, you could pursue financial compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. In both cases, you can seek compensation for things like lost wages and medical bills.

 

Miami Auto Wreck Attorney

If you or a family member has been the victim of a hit-and-run, you may not know where to start. To have your questions answered, call Lavent Law, PA at 305-440-0450 or use the contact form below to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

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