Taxpayers pay for car accidents involving city employees

According to a report by KERA News, the Dallas City Council has decided to spend $740,000 of taxpayer money on compensation payments to litigants in car accidents involving city employees:

“This includes up to $55,000 in compensation after a Dallas Animal Services employee struck another car while changing lanes. That car, in turn, struck another car in the adjacent lane, court records show.”

“Up to $270,000 will be paid to a motorist whose car was struck by a Dallas Sanitation Services truck that made a U-turn and struck it.

“In another case, a Dallas firefighter driving a fire truck failed to yield the right of way. The collision resulted in the plaintiff suffering “severe, permanent, disfiguring and life-altering injuries,” according to court documents. The injured woman will receive up to $280,000.

“Employees from the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Water Utilities were also involved in collisions.

“‘I am concerned about the number and magnitude of some of these cases,’ 14th District Councilman Paul Ridley said during the meeting. ‘I urge the city manager to review our policies and procedures regarding driver training and the consequences for drivers who cause accidents.'”

“Ridley said the city needs to get the situation under control and said it appears to be ‘getting out of control.'”

To read the full article from KERA News, please click HERE.