This case involved a federal law enforcement officer who was responding to a bomb threat when his police cruiser collided with our client’s SUV at an intersection in Alexandria.
Our client was driving through the intersection on a green light when the cruiser entered against a red light and struck her vehicle. A key dispute was whether the officer had activated his emergency lights and siren early enough to warn other drivers. The officer said he had. Two independent witnesses gave a different account. One reported that the lights and siren came on only moments before the cruiser entered the intersection. Another recalled hearing only a brief “whoop whoop,” rather than a continuously sounding siren.
Our client suffered a serious hip injury and ultimately underwent three surgeries, along with extensive physical therapy and ongoing pain management.
Because emergency-response cases can involve a higher legal standard for proving fault, the case presented significant challenges. After extensive negotiations, it resolved for $700,000 shortly before trial.
