Suspected Drunk Driver Crashes Into Cop Conducting a Traffic Stop

The dramatic dash cam footage of a Fort Worth police officer conducting a recent traffic stop has been released, and the officer is hoping it will highlight the dangers of drunk driving. According to Fox News U.S., the Texas officer was walking up to a vehicle he had pulled over on Interstate 30 when another car slammed into it, sending him flying through the air.

The incident occurred at around 3 a.m. early last month, and authorities suspect the motorist in the car that caused the collision may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time. According to the International Business Times, the officer sustained multiple injuries including a hyperextended foot and a fractured vertebra; however, after watching the footage, he claims he is simply thankful he survived.

The suspected drunk driver who struck the officer is facing second-degree felony charges for intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury to a police officer. Sadly, car accidents are one of the top causes of death for police officers in the field.

Although less common, motorists can also sustain serious injuries during traffic stops. In an effort to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions, Texas expanded its Move Over/Slow Down law in 2013. Pursuant to this law, motorists must move out of the lane closest to the traffic stop or decelerate until they are traveling 20 mph below the speed limit.

Unfortunately, the law is only effective at preventing collisions if all motorists on the road are paying attention to their surroundings. If you sustained serious injuries in a collision with an inattentive driver in a work zone or during a traffic stop, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you incurred.

If you would like to find out if you have grounds for a claim, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with a Fort Worth accident lawyer.

How Can I Prevent a Rear-End Collision During a Traffic Stop?

If police signal you to pull over, you have a legal obligation to abide by their request. Officers must signal you to stop in an acceptable location that will protect both their safety and yours, but depending on the circumstances of the stop, they may pull you over in a spot that is less than ideal.

In general, you should pull over as soon as police signal you to do so. If you find the safety of the spot questionable and think a rear-end collision is likely because the shoulder is narrow, you can ask to relocate to a safer place. Once you have given the officer your driver’s license and registration, he or she may permit you to move your vehicle out of potential harm’s way.

If you were hurt in a rear-end collision with a distracted or drunk driver, contact the Cooper Law Firm to determine if you may be entitled to compensation. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Fort Worth. You can learn more about car accident claims in Texas by visiting usattorneys.com/car-accident/texas.