Some Illinois residents may be unaware of the statewide “move over” law, which requires drivers to give clearance to authorized emergency vehicles, such as police cars, that are stopped on the side of the road. Motorists’ failure to follow this law too often puts police officers, emergency responders and stranded motorists at risk of serious injury.
On Jan. 21, an Illinois state trooper was investigating a crashed vehicle on the shoulder of Interstate 74 near Woodhull when a pickup truck rear-ended the trooper’s car. The lights of the trooper’s squad car were reportedly on at the time of the crash.
The trooper and the pickup driver suffered injuries, and it was reported that the trooper was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The driver of the pickup was ticketed for driving too fast, given the conditions of the road, as well as for failing to follow the “move over” law. At base, failing to move over for stationary emergency or police vehicles is a violation for which drivers can be cited. However, such a violation can clearly cause auto accidents that lead to serious injuries requiring expensive medical treatment.
Not only can injured parties pursue monetary compensation for such medical bills; other costs such as lost wages and reduced earning capacity can be calculated in pursuit of an appropriate settlement with an insurance company or an at-fault driver.
Getting an accurate picture of the full cost of an auto accident isn’t always easy, and a legal professional with experience in liability claims may be able to clarify the available options for holding a negligent driver accountable.
Source: KWQC, “Trooper Injured In I-74 Accident Near Woodhull, IL,” Jeff Whitten, Jan. 21, 2014
