Tennessee driver goes through a red light and collides with a police vehicle

Some drivers are placed in a bad situation by others who refuse to obey traffic laws and cause injuries and property damage. Drivers at fault can be sued and forced to pay for a victim’s costs

A Metro Nashville Police officer was involved in a serious automobile accident.

Nashville cop was hit by a driver who may have been drunk

The collision happened at the intersections of Old Hickory Boulevard and Madison Station Boulevard. A truck suddenly hit the officer at about 3:45am when he was proceeding through a green light at the intersection. 

The officer was on duty while his vehicle was hit. He was in the process of responding to another criminal incident that involved shots fired nearby when the accident happened. He was treated for his injuries at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but he was able to be released and sent home.  

The driver at fault was a 24 year old male who police believe ran through a red light when he caused the crash. He was treated for minor injuries at the scene. 

Authorities believe that the driver at fault may have been intoxicated at the time of the crash. When police contacted him at the scene, they said that he smelled of alcohol, had trouble speaking properly, and empty beer cans were found in his pickup truck. They are waiting on the results of a toxicology report, and the suspect has been charged with DUI, vehicular assault, and driving with an open container. He was being held on a $19,000 bond. 

Photos from the scene showed the police cruiser with significant damage to the front end. It appears that the vehicle was pushed into a wall nearby after the initial impact with the suspect’s truck. 

Accidents involving drunk drivers

A civil personal injury attorney can file a lawsuit against a drunk driver whether the state decides to file criminal charges against them or not. These cases will proceed through the separate court systems for civil and criminal cases respectively. The intoxicated driver may end up paying for the victim’s lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses related to the accident. 

While the fact that a driver at fault may have been drunk is strong evidence of negligence in a civil case, the plaintiff’s lawyer will still have to prove the elements of negligence to a jury or reach a settlement agreement. In this sense, the legal process of suing a drunk driver is similar to most other accident lawsuits.   

Speak with an attorney in Tennessee to learn more

There are attorneys practicing in the state of Tennessee who focus on assisting people after all kinds of motor vehicle crashes. To get immediate help, get in touch with:

The Law Office of George R. Fusner

7104 Peach Court, Brentwood TN 37027

615-251-0005

gfusnerlaw.com