Why, oh why, is it always the cops' fault???

[jen0610]

Someone is always at fault. As you described the accident, it sounds like the driver was at fault for turning into the intersection. Just because you can turn on red doesn't mean you do. You have to check and make sure it is clear. IF the snow prevented him from seeing, then he should have waited for a green light.

That is what I was taught. Sure you can turn right on red, but the traffic that you are puling into has the right away. You had better be sure that you can make the turn and get up to traveling speed with interfering with the flow of traffic. If the plowed snow didn't allow you to see the flow of traffic properly, then you wait for your green light, then go.

It's a shame that a lot of people don't want to take accoutability or have a loved one take accountability for their costly mistakes any more.

 

[luvmy3]

Someone is always at fault. As you described the accident, it sounds like the driver was at fault for turning into the intersection. Just because you can turn on red doesn't mean you do. You have to check and make sure it is clear. IF the snow prevented him from seeing, then he should have waited for a green light.

 

[Robinrs]

Maybe I'm missing the point... who's blaming him? The media?

 

[allison443]

That's what I think. How can it be the officer's fault if he had a green light. The other driver is at fault, IMO.

In most legal systems liability is apportioned between the parties involved. For example, if car A is stopped at a red light and is rear-ended by car B, car B is 100% at fault and car A has zero fault.

In the case of an intersection accident, the car turning on red clearly has fault, the question is does the other car (with the green light) bear any responsibility? Examples would be if the car with the green light was speeding, if his lights were off so the turning car couldn't see him, was he not looking ahead so he didn't see the car coming into the intersection when he should have, etc. I am absolutely not talking about the case in the OP because I have no idea of the facts. Just pointing out that accidents often have multiple causes which come together to result in the accident.

 

[lillygator]

Maybe I'm missing the point... who's blaming him? The media?

that's my question too.

 

[mickeylove2]

Maybe I'm missing the point... who's blaming him? The media?

Just people in general. The media hasn't even really picked it up, I live in a pretty small town so everybody kind of knows everybody, or at least someone who knows someone who knows them, KWIM? So I'm on facebook and the girl that was killed has people posting comments about her being murdered by the cop, and I've heard other people comment that it's the cops' fault.

So I'm at this bar, it's 1 that I frequent for drinks with friends, since I'm friends with the owner and a couple of the bartenders, and I'm pretty much running interference between people that I hang out with over this. Next thing you know, people are questioning me about how can I blame the driver when he's dead.

I'm sorry but I'm not blaming anyone, I chalk it up to an accident, until the final report comes out. I completely understand that emotions are charged and people want to blame somebody other than their loved ones, but this is too serious for there to be all kinds of accusations going around.

Anyway, like I tried explaining to my fellows bar patrons, the lead homicide detective on the case (who I'm very good friends with and used to be neighbors with) is 1 of the dj's at this particular bar and his wife and the dead passenger had been extremely close, so I highly doubt that he would allow any type of cover up happen. Not that he would on any other case, but he would take this case pretty personally imo.

And, yes, I "know" all parties involved in 1 way or another so it's not like I'm biased because so and so is my friend and since I don't know them I'm goning to side with this person.

 

[mickeylove2]

In most legal systems liability is apportioned between the parties involved. For example, if car A is stopped at a red light and is rear-ended by car B, car B is 100% at fault and car A has zero fault.

In the case of an intersection accident, the car turning on red clearly has fault, the question is does the other car (with the green light) bear any responsibility? Examples would be if the car with the green light was speeding, if his lights were off so the turning car couldn't see him, was he not looking ahead so he didn't see the car coming into the intersection when he should have, etc. I am absolutely not talking about the case in the OP because I have no idea of the facts. Just pointing out that accidents often have multiple causes which come together to result in the accident.

That's EXACTLY what I was trying to get across to people, we don't know exactly what happened. The speed limit there is 55 , was the cop going 60? We don't know. Everything at this point is speculation, that's why I kept telling everyone to wait until the investigation is over. I mean, honestly, the cop was hurt too, idk how badly, but I know his arm was broken, if it was his right arm, well that's the 1 that he uses so if it was too badly injured he may not be able to perform his duties as a cop so his family is going to suffer down the road if he has to leave the department but no one is even concerned about his well being. I just feel sorry for all parties involved. I mean he is going to have to live the rest of his life with the stigma that he killed 2 people and that's hard to deal with I'm sure.

 

[lillygator]

people are probably in shock and thinking more of those who died than the police officer.

 

[PeterPan09]

Fault always lies where the most potential for $$ is.