Police officers may pursue criminal suspects through chases at very high speeds, which can easily spin out of control and cause catastrophic accidents. These accidents can lead to significant property damage and severe injuries. In some cases, these accidents can lead to fatalities. An Aurora police chase accidents lawyer can examine your situation and advise you of your legal rights to compensation for your losses.
The stress about injuries, medical bills, and other consequences of serious accidents can be overwhelming for you and your family. We know that you may not immediately consider the need to consult legal counsel following a police chase accident. However, your time to file a claim is limited by state law, but you can contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at your earliest convenience.
Call (844) 730-0233 right away and get more information about how you can pursue compensation for your losses.
Police Chases Resulting in Accidents
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that state and local law enforcement agencies engage in tens of thousands of police chases per year. In 2012 alone, these agencies conducted over 68,000 police chases. From 1996 to 2015, these police chases resulted in about one death per day nationwide, amounting to an average of 355 people per year.
For a free legal consultation with a police chase accidents lawyer serving Aurora, call (844) 730-0233
Parties Who May Be Financially Responsible for Your Police Chase Injuries
Depending on the circumstances, various parties may be liable or financially responsible for the losses that you suffer from an accident resulting from a police chase. The suspect fleeing the police and the police chasing the suspect both may face liability for your losses in a civil personal injury claim. If the suspect hits your vehicle while fleeing the police, for example, you may have a claim with their insurance company or the ability to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
Suspects Fleeing Police
In some cases, the suspects fleeing police may drive recklessly and cause an accident that injures you and damages your vehicle. A driver may commit traffic and other legal violations during a high-speed police chase, such as speeding, following vehicles too closely, changing lanes or turning without signaling, and disregarding traffic signals and stop signs. These traffic violations constitute negligence or careless or reckless behavior that endangers others. When this situation occurs, you may look to the insurance policy for the driver or the vehicle owner for coverage for your losses.
If the driver is uninsured or if police are unable to identify the suspect, you still may have another source of compensation for your injuries. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage through your personal vehicle insurance policy, you can seek compensation for bodily injuries that you suffer in a car crash where no other source of insurance or payment is available.
Although uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance is optional, all insurance companies must offer you this coverage when you purchase insurance. If you opt to reject this form of coverage, you must sign a written waiver of coverage.
Police Officers and Departments
Accidents also may occur when police officers engage in behaviors that fall below the reasonable standard of care for officers in the same or similar situations. If excessive speeding or other reckless driving maneuvers by police harm other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, police officers may face liability for their behavior.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit against police and its municipal or state government employer can be an uphill battle and triggers special notice provisions and deadlines. An Aurora police chase accidents lawyer can assess your situation and explain your available options for legal relief.
Aurora Police Chase Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Pursuing Your Police Chase Accident Claim
You may not think to seek out legal advice directly following an accident, especially if you are suffering from severe injuries. However, you only have a limited time to file your claims related to that accident.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) §13-80-102, you have three years from the date of your car accident to formally file your claim for compensation in court. Failure to do so can prevent you from holding any parties liable for your injuries.
However, if you are trying to hold police departments or other governmental entities responsible for the accident that led to your injuries, you have only 180 days from the date of your accident to give proper notice to the appropriate governmental entities. This situation makes it even more important for you to take immediate action following your accident to get legal advice about your situation. Once again, your lawyer can help you determine the amount of time you have to take legal action against a police department or government entity.
Click to contact our Aurora Car Accident Lawyers today
We Are Here to Advise You
If you have been injured or you have lost a loved one to fatal injuries in a police chase accident, you may have legal options. Our attorneys can investigate the circumstances that led to the injuries and determine the full range of legal alternatives that you may wish to pursue. An Aurora police chase accidents lawyer can help you explore these options and determine the course of action that is best for you and your family.
The lawyers and staff of Ben Crump Law, PLLC stand ready to help you with your personal injury or wrongful death claim. We are here to fight for your rights and seek all forms of compensation allowed by law. Call our offices today at (844) 730-0233 and begin the process of seeking justice for injuries suffered in a police chase.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
