After experiencing injuries in a police chase, you may want to know more about liability and possibly even recovery from a police chase accident.
Regardless of the way you experienced the police chase, the lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may represent your legal case. Work with a Los Angeles police chase lawyer when you call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444.
About Police Pursuits in California
Police chases may not only cause harm to the fleeing suspect but also other motorists and pedestrians nearby. Drivers may choose to flee from police for any number of reasons, but the same report from the California Highway Patrol mentions these top four “originating violations” before a pursuit happened:
- Speeding
- Stolen vehicle
- Registration or license plate violation
- Red light or stop sign violation
People who fled police may have done so due to these originating violations.
It is also possible that they fled from the scene of a lesser crime to evade serious consequences for things like expired licenses, existing warrants for arrest, driving under the influence, drug possession, and more.
Police Training and Pursuits
In California, police officers receive training at all levels in order to qualify for immunity from the losses in a police pursuit collision. Currently, California Vehicle Code § 17004.7 stipulates that police officers must receive training on the “safe conduct of motor vehicle pursuits” to qualify for immunity. The minimum requirements for police training on pursuits must cover all of the following:
- Circumstances to initiate pursuits: A police pursuit plan should make public safety a priority.
- The number of vehicles required in a pursuit: Before a police pursuit, police units must specify and plan for the number of vehicles they sent out into the field.
- Communication procedures: Communication must allow for accountability among all officers and units.
There are more specific nuances to how police prepare for a vehicular pursuit, concerning communication, plans, and the mitigation of risk to the public.
Liability in a Police Pursuit
When you become involved in a police pursuit, getting compensation for your losses and recovery will depend on a case that holds liable parties accountable. Police are granted immunity to an extent, and sometimes suspects in a police chase can bear liability for a victim’s losses.
Getting compensation as a victim of a police pursuit accident became easier with laws that reduced the necessity for police pursuits, only allowing a pursuit in the case of violent crimes.
If you or a loved one were a victim in a police pursuit car accident, you may still be able to recover compensation for your losses. Handling a complicated like this one can be difficult, but our lawyers may handle your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Police Chase Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Legal Options for Police Chase Accident Victims
When you are in a police chase accident, you will need to first file through your insurance policy. This does not prevent you from seeking additional compensation from other liable parties. The insurance requirement for all drivers in California is the following:
Bodily Injury Liability Policy
- $15,000 minimum for the death or injury of one person.
- $30,000 minimum coverage for the death or injury of multiple people, combined.
Property Damage Liability Policy
- Insurance must cover $5,000 for any property losses.
In the case of an accident with an uninsured or under-insured driver, both parties still have the ability to pursue real losses.
Los Angeles Police Chase Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Car Accident Legal Claims
When you are in a car accident that occurred due to a police chase, you can consider all of your potential expenses immediately after the accident and in the time following the accident. You may pursue compensation for the following losses:
- Personal Injury: The statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident, according to California’s Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. A personal injury claim might concern the costs of recovering from bodily injuries and the long-term impacts of your injuries, like disability, lost wages, and more. In some cases, you can make a personal injury claim on behalf of a loved one who was injured or killed in the accident if you were a parent or dependent.
- Property Damage: The statute of limitations is three years for a property damage claim. This type of claim is usually more straightforward than personal injury claims, covering non-bodily damages to personal belongings or your car, for example.
This is not an exhaustive list of the legal claims you might want to consider after a police chase accident.
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Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to Work with a Los Angeles Police Chase Lawyer
You have a right to legal representation following a personal injury accident that stemmed from a police chase. You do not have to seek compensation alone, even if the police themselves caused the accident.
You may wonder how you can afford a lawyer. With Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we advocate for victims of personal injury by taking cases on a contingency-fee basis. This allows us to begin working on your case without charging upfront costs. We collect our service fees only if we reach a settlement or judgment in your favor.
Work with the Los Angeles police chase lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to explore all of your legal options. Call us at (800) 794-0444.
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