In our last post we wrote about a garbage worker who was injured after he was hit by a car while emptying garbage cans. This week we write about another Pennsylvania resident who was injured as a result of being hit by a car while working. This time it was police officer who was involved in a work related accident while she sat in her fully marked Ford Expedition police cruiser on the shoulder of a road.

The Tredyffrin Police Corporal was parked, facing north, on U.S. 202 when the accident occurred. Her vehicle was rear ended. At the time of the incident, the vehicle's emergency lights had been activated and other emergency vehicles were present. They were investigating and responding to an injury inducing car accident that had occurred earlier.

It was a Hyundai Santa Fe with four occupants that hit her. According to Acting Tredyffrin Police Superintendent, it passed other rescue vehicles, construction vehicles and a flashing sign before running into the woman in her work vehicle.

The nature of the police corporal's injuries is unknown, but they were serious enough that she had to go to the hospital. She was admitted to Paoli Memorial Hospital for treatment and later released. All of the occupants of the Hyundai were hurt in the collision as well. Information on their injuries is not available.

Most would agree that there is a certain level of risk involved with assisting people who have been injured in car accidents. Acknowledging this risk, the state has a law requiring drivers of motor vehicles to give emergency responders space on the road. Known as the "move over law," when possible, it mandates that a driver move to the lane farthest from a police vehicle that is stopped at either a construction or accident scene.

Source: Tredyffrin-Easttown Patch, "Tredyffrin Officer Recovering After Accident," Bob Byrne, Jan. 24, 2012