An accident that took place on a highway exit ramp a few hours before the Redskins’ game against the Minnesota Vikings left one player injured and the coach, Jay Gruden injured with whiplash.
Two of the teams’ buses were involved in the accident. Fortunately, no major injuries were reported on either bus. The team was heading to TCF Bank Stadium for their Sunday game.
The buses were carrying players, coaches, and other team personnel. While there were no major injuries, several players reported that they felt shaken as a result of the incident. Silas Redd, the rookie running back, was pulled from Sunday’s game after he complained of back spasms linked to the crash.
Jay Gruden was interviewed later and reported that he still had a sore neck. He explained that the accident was “pretty scary.”
Yahoo news quoted him as saying, “A little unique way to start the day, when you’re getting ready for a football game and you’re five feet from driving off a cliff.”
Apparently, the police escort that was driving in front of the first bus missed the exit ramp causing the first bus to stop suddenly in order to not hit the police car. The bus narrowly missed falling off a steep precipice.
Quarterback Robert Griffin was frightened by the whole ordeal and seemed shaken. Griffin explained that he was worried that he would fly out of the window. Griffin furthermore added that everyone on the buses likely suffered from some form of whiplash.
Will the whiplash affect the player’s ability to work? The Centers for Disease Control reports that car accident deaths alone cost the state of Minnesota $527 million dollars in 2005. This figure does not take into account the amount of money lost when individuals suffer personal injury in a motor vehicle accident. Personal injuries not only result in high medical bills and in the cost of rehabilitation, but also result in missed time at the job for some individuals. For football players, a personal injury as a result of an accident can be devastating not only for the player’s loss of ability to perform for the rest of the season, but it can also put a player’s career in jeopardy as well.
For instance, Silas Redd was pulled from Sunday’s game. One wonders whether he will be required to miss more games as a result of this accident. Furthermore, if he continues to miss games, will his career be jeopardized as a result?
Griffin said, “A lot of players had their lives flash before their eyes.”
No one’s career should be placed in jeopardy due to another driver’s negligence. While the bus driver was clearly avoiding the police cruiser, one wonders whether the officer driving the cruiser will be reprimanded for the incident.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury due to another driver’s negligence in Minneapolis, Minnesota, you have the right to seek reimbursement for your lost wages or missed career opportunities. Contact the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino to have your claim evaluated by a skilled personal injury attorney.