Every year in Colorado, car accidents happen that are caused in part by high-speed police pursuits. These chase scenes may end without incident other than an arrest. But on other occasions, these police pursuits can end up with crashed cars, injured people, and possibly even accident fatalities.
When these police pursuit crashes happen, it is often due to reckless driving behavior on the part of the driver trying to escape the police. The fleeing driver may plow into cars at an intersection or speed dangerously into a head-on collision.
When these accidents happen, people in nearby cars can suffer injuries, as well as the police officers who are chasing a suspect. Examples of this abound in cities like Colorado Springs, where high-speed chases involving police can turn into deadly car wrecks at the end of the chase.
If you were seriously injured or have lost a family member in a police pursuit accident, it may be hard to obtain compensation through your insurance company. However, it may benefit you to work with an attorney who handles police chase car accidents.
You can contact a Colorado Springs police chase accidents lawyer to sort out the details for your claim or lawsuit. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can manage your paperwork, interview eyewitnesses, and use the police report to seek damages in your case. Call our office at (844) 730-0233 to schedule a free consultation with a team member.
Police Car Chases in Colorado
A critical issue behind car accidents caused by police car chases is the balance between catching the alleged criminals at any cost and causing a high-risk situation where cars get damaged, and people are injured. It is a tough call for any police squad team chasing a suspect. Where do you draw the line between pedestrian and driver safety and the hot pursuit of a criminal?
Car chases involving fleeing criminals, police cars, and victims can be extremely dangerous on Colorado roads and highways. Fatal car crashes in Colorado rose to 600 fatal car crashes in 2017, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Similar car crash fatality numbers are expected for 2019 and 2020 once finalized.
These types of accidents are often high-speed pursuits that involve one or more cars traveling at high speeds. The fleeing car may weave in and out of traffic lines, trying to lose the police cars chasing it.
Eventually, these crashes end, and in many cases, it is not a pleasant scene. There are often damages left in its wake.
So, when these crashes happen, what can you do if you get caught in the crosshairs of the accident? You may wonder who do you sue for your damages and injuries—the driver of the car that the police have chased? Or do you seek a legal claim against the police cars that were doing the chasing?
It can be a complex situation, so hiring an attorney to help navigate it could be helpful. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can review your situation and offer counsel that can help you make decisions about your next steps. Give us a call today to explore your legal options during a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a police chase accidents lawyer serving Colorado Springs, call (844) 730-0233
Accountability for a Police Pursuit Crash
In everyday car accidents, there is often an at-fault driver who is responsible for the crash. The drivers will go through their respective insurance companies, and a claim will be made and hopefully compensated.
But if you have suffered injuries or lost a family member in a police car chase, your first inclination might be to try to bring a claim for negligence against the police team that caused the accident.
However, it can be challenging to bring a successful negligence claim or personal injury claim against a police officer. This is due to the protections of liability that govern the work of a police officer. Some people choose to hire legal representation because of the complexities these cases involve.
In certain cases, a claim could be made if the police officer has not followed proper procedures. This would include protocols to weigh the risks of traffic safety versus the goal of chasing and capturing a suspect.
A Colorado Springs police chase accidents lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can work on your behalf to investigate the accident. We can look at the causes behind the accident, the chase that preceded the crash, and other elements of the accident.
Colorado Springs Police Chase Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Pursuing Legal Action After a Police Chase Accident
If a car crash caused by a police chase can be pinned on the suspect’s reckless driving behavior and not on the police chase itself, then you may be able to recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit.
In this accident scenario, your lawyer would argue that your injuries, your property damage, or the wrongful death of a loved one were caused by a reckless, endangering driver being chased by a police car.
There might be extenuating circumstances in such an accident. For example, what if the fleeing suspect driver stole the vehicle that crashed into yours? In this instance, an insurance company likely would not cover damages from the accident unless you carried an uninsured motorist policy in your state.
An attorney can help you navigate these challenging issues and aid your fight for legal justice. We could help you establish that the reckless driver who caused the accident breached their duty to other drivers on the road. As a result, you might be able to make a successful case for recovering financial awards that can help you cover your injuries and losses.
To learn more, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, to find out more about how a Colorado Springs police chase accidents lawyer might be able to help you. Call us at (844) 730-0233 to speak to a team member who can schedule your free consultation, review the details of your situation, and answer your questions.
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