Recently, a Georgia police officer from another part of the state was in critical but stable condition after a hit-and-run accident. The person accused of hitting the officer’s vehicle and then fleeing on foot was apprehended. He faces several criminal charges, including a DUI and a citation for failing to obey a traffic control device.
According to reports, the officer was passing through an intersection in which he had a green light. The driver who fled, who was operating a pickup, apparently ran a red light and struck the officer’s vehicle. The state highway patrol investigated this accident.
Hit-and-run accidents can be difficult to resolve
The officer probably will receive benefits through the state’s workers’ compensation program, but these benefits simply do not pay for all losses after a serious accident. Specifically, they do not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering and emotional distress. Moreover, many residents of Dougherty County may be involved in an accident while off-the-clock, meaning that workers’ compensation would not be an option for them.
Thankfully, in this case, the hit-and-run driver was caught and can be held accountable for this accident. Too often, though, these accidents go unsolved, even when a victim suffers serious or fatal injuries. Moreover, even when a hit-and-run driver is eventually found and arrested, there is no guarantee he will have adequate insurance or resources to pay compensation, especially if he is headed for prison.
These circumstances can make a hit-and-run accident particularly complicated when it comes to getting a victim the compensation she needs. For example, the victim may have to file and pursue a claim with his own insurance company for uninsured motorist coverage if he has that benefit available. Convincing an insurance company to pay these claims at their true value sometimes will require professional legal assistance.