Family makes car accident claim
A family who recently, and tragically, lost a daughter, who was said to be in her mid-20s, in an accident involving a speeding police van have recently been comforted, albeit to a small extent, by the news that the police are planning to admit full responsibility for the accident, which, in an even more tragic twist, took place mere hours after the couple had announced their engagement.
The accident occurred in October of 2008, with the couple’s car being driven by the woman’s fiancée. The couple were returning from a family visit which had been arranged in order to discuss plans for their future wedding, as well as houses which they could buy together. As the car approached a corner, their car was suddenly hit by a speeding police van, which was on its way to an emergency. The police van was travelling at more than twice the legal speed limit, which made the couple’s injuries much more severe than they would otherwise have been.
Weather conditions were dangerous; consequently, the police officer had lost control of his van as it rounded the corner. The driver, however, may have still been able to regain control of the vehicle were it not for the fact that one of its tyres was also dangerously underinflated, a detail that did not come out until later on, when the accident was being investigated.
The young woman suffered severe injuries from the crash. She was rushed to hospital, where she was to receive intensive treatment for about a month, before her death as a result of her injuries.
In the wake of the accident, the woman’s family decided to begin a compensation claim against the police, whom they held responsible for the accident. The police van’s driver was acquitted of all criminal charges; however, his 2 trials revealed some serious failings in the safety procedures of the police. Because of this, the family decided to take action against the police.
The family’s case was successful, with them having since received what was said to be a significant amount in compensation.
Their solicitor stated: “Although the Police are allowed to exceed the speed limit when attending emergencies they still have to drive safely for the road conditions.
“The officer here lost control of his vehicle driving at speed around a bend while it was raining, and in a vehicle that had not been properly maintained. It was an accident waiting to happen.”
The woman’s father added: “We’re obviously pleased that the Police have admitted liability, but we don’t see how they can just admit they were at fault and then refuse to explain why.
“We have a right to know how the police allowed this to happen and that the failures that caused my daughter’s death have been properly addressed.
“No one else should have to lose a child the way we have, even two years after the accident every day without my daughter is hard. If we’re going to get some closure then we need some answers.”
Source: www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8471535.Family_demand_answers_over_crash/
Updated on 11/22/2010