Massachusetts car accident: Trooper rear-ended at I-95 work site

A Massachusetts State Trooper had a close call recently when he was the victim of a motor vehicle accident on I-95 southbound in Canton. The 27-year-old officer was assigned to construction zone detail near Exit 11 when he was the victim of a car accident. He was said to be sitting in his cruiser when he was rear ended by another vehicle.

It was reported that the early morning crash happened when a pickup driver fell asleep at the wheel. There were two passengers in the pickup along with the 35-year-old driver. While the passengers were not injured, the driver was said to have some type of arm injury. The Trooper did not fare as well. He suffered neck and back injuries and was taken to Boston Medical Center, though he has reportedly since been released.

Normally, when an individual is injured on the job, workers’ compensation benefits apply. Though police are excluded from the Massachusetts workers’ compensation system, state law requires that they receive full pay while recovering from a work related injury. Fortunately for the injured officer, he has other potential remedies available to him.

If the evidence confirms initial reports that the truck driver caused the car accident by falling asleep at the wheel, the officer has the right to press forward with a personal injury claim against the driver. Such a claim in Massachusetts courts is based on proof of negligence. If wrongdoing is established, the injured party is entitled to recover monetary damages from the at fault driver for medical costs and other expenses as well as for pain and suffering related to the injuries sustained.

Source: necn.com, “Mass. state trooper released from hospital after Canton accident,” Sept. 26, 2012