Bystanders and others on the road are vulnerable to danger and injuries through no fault of their own when police chases occur. If you or someone you love was an innocent bystander injured in a high-speed chase, our law firm can help you understand your options and what to expect while you pursue compensation.
The police are typically protected from financial liability if your car is damaged during a police pursuit; however, there are certain situations where it may be liable. A car accident lawyer in Baltimore from our firm will represent you on a contingency-fee basis and help you understand your financial recovery options. They can include pursuing damages from a municipality, the suspect the police were pursuing, or your own insurance policy.
Can You Sue the Police Department for Injuries From a High-Speed Chase?
Police officers may need to break traffic laws and endanger others to pursue suspects, in some cases. Police departments, therefore, have some immunity from civil liability from what happens if a police car hits you during a chase.
In some cases, you can pursue compensation from the department or its governing municipality. To do so, a Monell claim lawyer must prove the following:
- The police chase resulted from an official policy or custom, not from the officer’s split-second decision.
- The policy or custom violated your constitutional rights.
- The policy or custom caused or allowed the accident to occur.
Our legal team knows what evidence we’ll need to establish that your constitutional rights were violated due to a police chase.
Do You Need a Lawyer to File a Claim Against a State or Local Municipality?
You are not required to hire a lawyer to file a civil lawsuit. However, managing your injury claim on your own can be complicated and challenging on your own, especially when you’re attempting to sue a municipality. When a lawyer represents you, they can:
- Define the legal parameters of your case
- Clarify the filing deadlines in your state
- Build a persuasive collection of evidence
When a car accident case is particularly challenging, it could benefit from legal service and support. Most personal injury law firms will offer a free review of your case. This is your time to learn about the merits of your injury claim and the benefits and advantages of the firm.
For a free legal consultation, call,
(888) 585-2188
If the Police Are Not Liable, How Else Can You Get Car Accident Compensation?
If another party caused or contributed to the accident or your injuries, they could be liable for your damages. Your lawyer will prove the elements of negligence that allow you to recover damages, including:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Your legal team will prove these elements by collecting evidence, such as:
- The police report
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Expert observations
- Photos and video footage
Your case file will also include proof of your post-accident losses, including medical bills, weekly income, time off work, and property repair or replacement estimates. A police chase accident lawyer will pursue compensation in one of two ways:
The Suspect Driver Could Be Responsible for Compensating You
If the suspect the police were pursuing at the time of the crash was in their own car and had a valid insurance policy, you could get compensation from their insurance provider. Your legal team will communicate with the driver’s insurer for you. They will also:
- Obtain, complete, and submit claim forms
- Explore the limits and maximums of the driver’s policy
- Assess your claim and make a settlement demand
- Field settlement offers and make counteroffers
Your car accident lawyer will negotiate for you and fight hard for the full value of your injury claim.
Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage Could Provide Financial Protection
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is mandatory in some states. In many others, it is optional, but you have to reject the coverage in writing. This often means people have UM coverage without realizing it. If the driver of the stolen vehicle doesn’t have insurance or fled the scene, you can turn to this portion of your insurance.
If you live in a no-fault state, you can also turn to your Personal Injury Protection or MedPay coverage.
You do not have to handle your claim alone. Your car accident attorney will handle every aspect of your case.
What Damages Can You Recover if a Police Car or Pursued Vehicle Hits You During a Chase?
You can recover two types of damages if you or a loved one was hurt in a high-speed pursuit. Recoverable economic damages include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost income and benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage or destruction
You can also recover non-economic damages. These can be difficult to assess and document on your own. Your attorney will do this for you. These damages usually include:
- Lasting disability
- Physical disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Emotional anguish
- Diminished quality of life
If you lost a loved one due to a high-speed police chase crash, you could recover funeral and burial expenses and the loss of your loved one’s financial contributions. It also includes your loss of consortium, companionship, guidance, and support.
Filing Deadlines When a Police Chase Causes an Accident
If you are seeking compensation from the suspect driver or your insurance company, you have a limited time to do so. How long you have differs by state. We recommend that you get in touch with our firm as soon as possible so we can protect your right to compensation and manage all deadlines.
In addition, it can cost nothing upfront to hire a car accident attorney, since most work on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing out of your own pocket and only pay our the law firm when you recover compensation.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Get Legal Support for Your Police Chase Claim
If you or someone you love was an innocent bystander—vehicle driver, passenger, or pedestrian—who was injured in a police chase, we can clarify when and where to file an injury claim. Our car accident lawyers will fight hard on your behalf to optimize your financial compensation. Contact our evaluation team at Jenner Law to get started today.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form