Holding Off-Duty Officers Liable in a Norfolk Car Accident

by | April 27th, 2015

When a car accident occurs due to another person’s negligence, the responsible party or their insurer is typically expected to cover the expenses and damages; however, the Norfolk car accident attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers point out that determining liability for a crash isn’t always a cut and dry matter.

Take the case of a local woman who says her car was totaled in a collision that occurred last October at the corner of Granby Street and Little Creek Road in Ward’s Corner. According to an article from WAVY 10 News, the woman says a police officer directing traffic along Granby in a construction zone waived her vehicle through the crossing; however, another officer directing traffic on Little Creek Road instructed a vehicle to pass through the intersection at the same time, causing the two vehicles to collide.

The woman states the car was totaled and she filed an insurance claim. Her insurer wouldn’t cover the full cost of the loan—only the value of the vehicle— leaving the victim to foot the bill for $3,000. She then contacted the District Attorney, claiming the city was responsible for the cost; however, the DA denied the city’s liability, saying the officers were off-duty at the time of the crash and were employed by a company working at the site.

Now, the woman is battling with the paving company who employed the officers in an effort to have the expenses covered.

Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers and our staff understand how difficult dealing with car insurance companies can be and urge you not to fight the battle alone. Give us a call anytime at (757) 459-CASH to speak with a member of our legal team about a crash you have had or any questions you may have regarding your legal rights to compensation.