If you were injured in an auto accident in Louisville, or if you’re the parent of a teen driver injured in such an accident, then there is the possibility that you can file a personal injury claim. Besides compensatory damages, you may be able to sue for punitive damages, which are awarded in cases where defendants showed a willful disregard of others’ safety.
Man fleeing the police causes crash
Consider one accident where there was willful disregard. On the morning of February 14, 2020, a 26-year-old man was speeding 70 mph in a 40 mph zone near the city of Ferndale, Michigan, when police attempted to pull him over. He turned on his flashers and began to pull over when he decided to flee the scene.
After a minute-long police pursuit, the man crashed into another vehicle at an intersection. The man, leaving his 26-year-old female passenger, tried to elude police on foot but was arrested by a Michigan State Police trooper.
One killed, three injured
The female passenger suffered serious injuries. The other vehicle had three occupants, all elderly. One, an 89-year-old woman, died on Monday, February 17. One of the injury victims is still in the hospital.
The man has been charged with second-degree fleeing and eluding. The prosecutor’s office will be adding more charges in relation to the woman’s death.
A lawyer’s personal attention
Perhaps the accident you were in did not involve a suspect fleeing from police. Perhaps the defendant was drowsy or became distracted for a split second. Still, you were not at fault, and so you have the right to pursue a personal injury case. In fact, even if you were deemed partially at fault, this will only lower whatever amount you recover in damages; it will not bar recovery. To ensure a strong case, you may want a lawyer to give it personal attention.