In a car accident that seriously injures someone, the driver who caused the crash can expect to face not only criminal charges, but also a personal injury lawsuit or even one alleging wrongful death if the injuries were fatal. Injury accidents can result in long-term medical expenses, and it's understandable for a driver at fault to be held liable for those costs.

But a Cincinnati man benefited from someone else's kindness after an accident he caused back in August. The man's car crossed the center line of the road and struck the vehicle of a police sergeant who was on his way to work. The impact pushed the sergeant's car into oncoming traffic, where it was hit by two more vehicles. Several months later, the officer is still recovering from his injuries.

The man was charged and pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated vehicular assault and one count of vehicular assault this week. Although he faced up to 16 years in prison, the sergeant told the prosecuting attorney that he didn't think the at-fault driver should be given the maximum sentence. As a result, the man was sentenced to just four years in prison and a lifetime suspension of his driver's license. The judge in the case said it was only at the officer's request that the man avoided the maximum penalty.

Considering the severity of the sergeant's injuries -- he still won't know for four months whether he'll fully recover from the brain injury he suffered -- the driver in this case is extremely lucky. Under ordinary circumstances, he could expect not only a much more severe criminal sentence, but a hefty personal injury suit.

Source: WLWT.com, "Injured Officer Asks For Leniency For Suspect," Jan. 12, 2012