Car accidents are already hectic, but a car accident during a police chase can be total chaos. If you or your car is hit during a police pursuit, you may be wondering who is responsible for your injuries and other losses.
In the majority of cases, you will not be liable. Nevertheless, you will need to figure out who is. That’s where an experienced accident attorney can come into play.
POLICE CHASE LIABILITY
Unless you purposely interfere with the pursuit or you are behaving extremely recklessly during the accident, you are unlikely to face any liability in a police chase collision.
More often than not, the suspect will be liable for your accident. If a police car hits you, however, you may have more ways to pursue justice, including questioning the necessity of the chase.
WHEN THE SUSPECT’S CAR HITS YOU
If the suspect’s vehicle hits you, compensation will work just like it would in any other car accident. The only difference is that fault is usually much clearer. A driver who is running away from the police is automatically breaking a law. Further, they are probably driving recklessly, thus violating their duty of care and being extremely negligent.
This sets you up for a hefty insurance settlement and may even inspire a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the financial status of the criminal and the severity of your injuries and losses.
Unfortunately, someone who is fleeing the law may not be overly concerned with carrying car insurance. If the suspect is in jail, their financial prospects might not support a lawsuit, either. When this is the case, you may have to cover your injuries and losses using your personal insurance policy’s uninsured or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
If you don’t have this coverage or your claim is denied, explore your options with Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC!
WHEN THE POLICE HIT YOU
If a police vehicle collides with you or your car, the city government’s insurance carrier should pay the damages. Like other insurers, the company will likely offer you a settlement. You will be able to decide whether or not you want to accept this settlement, but you should not sign anything without speaking to a lawyer.
Due to the dangerous nature of car chases, officers should take advantage of other methods of pursuit whenever possible. If an authority deems the chase to be unnecessary or the police could have captured the perpetrator with helicopter surveillance or another, safer alternative, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the municipality.
Police liability varies from state to state, but it is particularly limited in Texas. As such, you need an attorney who understands state law. Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC is available to answer all your questions at 918-492-7674.
EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT
If you’ve been injured as a bystander in a police chase, you have a potential case. That being said, no 2 cases are the same, and those involving municipal governments will be even more complex.
Consequently, we encourage you to discuss your specific situation with our dedicated legal team at Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC.
We offer free consultations and we will not collect a single fee unless we win your case. To get started, call us at 918-492-7674 today!