When a suspect decides to evade officers, they have forced law enforcement to make a choice: Let them go or engage in a pursuit. If the police decide to pursue the suspect, they must keep in mind that the public is now involved.
A chase can lead down busy streets, even up onto pedestrian walkways, and an accident could happen. A suspect may be fleeing because they know their crime was serious or because they have a criminal record. Whatever the reason, it is the police’s responsibility to decide whether to pursue and how long that pursuit should last.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident because of a police chase, you could seek compensation for your injuries and property damage. You were involuntarily involved in the pursuit, and the accident was not your fault.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC has a Mesa accidents caused by police chase lawyer who can be on your side. Call today for a free consultation at (844) 730-0233. We can discuss the details of your accidents and discuss a fair amount of awards. You have a right to file a lawsuit.
You Have Options
If you were a bystander during a police chase and you suffered injuries, you might not have been able to avoid your injuries. Police pursuits are often at high speed, and the suspect could take an erratic, unpredictable path. Even efforts to get out of the way may not work. Police chases can end in destruction for either the suspect, the officers, or bystanders.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), roughly 335 people die each year as a result of police chases. That comes out to about 1 per day. Of those deaths, more than one third were in vehicles not involved in the chase or bystanders not in a vehicle.
You can file a lawsuit to seek compensation, but you must abide by the statute of limitations. The court may dismiss your case if you miss the statute of limitations. In Arizona, that time limit is two years after your accident, according to the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 12-542. This applies to a lawsuit regarding a personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage.
Call us today to start the process. Ben Crump Law, PLLC has the right Mesa accidents caused by police chase lawyer for you.
You can recover both economic and non-economic damages, meaning damages that have a real dollar value and those that do not. Some of the costs you can pursue include:
- Medical bills for an emergency room visit, doctor appointments, and other medical expenses
- Property damage to your vehicle or any other damaged or destroyed property
- Lost wages from missed time at work
- Diminished earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from making the same amount of money you were making before the accident
- Accommodations made to your home so you can live day to day with your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
This is not a full list of possible damages you could win with a successful lawsuit. A lawyer from our team can determine the correct amount to include in your lawsuit. You can pursue what you need to recover costs you have already spent as a result of your accident, in addition to costs you may have in the future.
It can feel intimidating to begin a legal process while you may still be recovering from your injuries. You will have the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC on your side. We know Arizona law, so you will not be alone. The time to start is now.
For a free legal consultation with a police chase accidents lawyer serving Mesa, call (844) 730-0233
Police Chases Can Be Dangerous
Police engage in a pursuit to catch a suspect. They are often necessary to apprehend someone who has committed a crime or is a danger to society. They can be dangerous, though, so law enforcement must exercise caution and discretion when beginning a pursuit.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) spells out the guidelines every officer should adhere to during a police chase. When a pursuit begins, the officers are trying to apprehend a suspect, but at that moment, everyone around them is involuntarily involved. That means that law enforcement must keep public safety in mind and use that framework to decide whether the chase should continue or stop.
Some of the guidelines officers must consider are traffic congestion, the nature of the suspect’s crime, and the need to apprehend the suspect. They should also consider the need to apprehend the suspect with a chase or whether they can arrest them at another time. The officer must make the decision with all these factors in mind and think about their own level of experience. The law enforcement officer should call off the pursuit if the risks outweigh the benefits.
For instance, if the chase is leading into a crowded intersection with a lot of pedestrians around, the pursuit may have to stop. If the suspect was being pulled over for a minor traffic violation, that might also warrant an end to the chase. If the pursuit should have ended before your accident, the officer or police department may be liable.
Mesa Police Chase Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Do Not Delay
You have two years to file your lawsuit for personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death. Your accident was not your fault, so you should not have to pay for the costs on your own. You can recover costs for things like medical bills, property damage to your vehicle, and lost wages. You could also get awards to cover your pain and suffering.
You do not need to do this alone. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233. You can discuss your case with our team, and we will provide a Mesa accidents caused by police chase lawyer to fight for you. Your consultation with us is free. We will fight even the toughest cases and defend your right to compensation.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
