Police chases happen suddenly and can cause unnecessary collateral damage if the officer does not responsibly examine the situation. You might be questioning who is to blame and wondering what you should do to cover your losses and medical bills if you were in a police chase accident in Santa Ana.
Let a Santa Ana police chase accidents lawyer help you answer these questions and file your lawsuit. You may be eligible for compensation, so contact Ben Crump, PLLC today at (844) 730-0233 for your free consultation. The sooner you call, the sooner we can begin building your case.
Police Chases and Proving Negligence in Santa Ana
According to California Vehicle Code § 17004.7, peace officers have immunity when conducting a police chase if they have been through training and signed off on a minimum standard outlined in the law.
However, there are also laws highlighted in California Vehicle Code § 17001, which protect you in these circumstances. Officers might be responsible if there was negligence on their behalf. These fall on fine lines and a Santa Ana personal injury attorney can help you walk them.
For an officer to obtain immunity for a police chase, they must prove they follow the following requirements:
- They must go over a written policy that addresses, at the minimum, 13 points outlined in the statute.
- Officers must complete annual training in line with the guidelines of the statute.
- Officers must sign a formal letter stating that they have received and understand the policy training.
There is also the option in some circumstances to file against the fleeing driver. The deciding factors include a review of how the accident happened, your injuries, who hit you, and if you were a pedestrian or cyclist.
For a free legal consultation with a police chase accidents lawyer serving Santa Ana, call (844) 730-0233
Filing Your Lawsuit on Time
Before you file your lawsuit, you must file a crash report within ten days to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by filing an SR-1 Form. If you do not file a report, you may face jail time and license suspension. It is also another step in maintaining the integrity of your case.
To file a lawsuit, you must do so within a time frame, also known as the statute of limitation. The California time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit against a public entity is six months, per California Government Code § 911.2.
Santa Ana Police Chase Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
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Let a Santa Ana Police Chase Accidents Lawyer Assist You
Our police chase accidents lawyers are ready to help you when you are ready to file. We understand the value of your case personally and financially and want to help guide you through the process of successfully getting the compensation you deserve.
Some of the things we can help you with include:
- Figuring out who you should file against
- Conducting witness interviews
- Collecting medical documents
- Filing on time
- Collecting evidence required to establish your case
- Keeping you updated with the process
- Giving you proper space to heal
Although you have a short time to file, the process can take a lot more time than you think, sometimes years. It can help to have a lawyer’s support while navigating the law. The fact you may be filing against law enforcement officials may be a reason to get support as well. You will be facing strong defense teams, making these cases more complex.
Contact Ben Crump, PLLC, today for a free consultation. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you will not pay until we win.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Types of Compensation You May Be Eligible For
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), between 1995 and 2015, there was nearly one death a day due to police chases throughout the United States. This is unfortunate, and we are here for you if you need to file a wrongful death lawsuit under these circumstances. Either way, you may be eligible for compensation for economic and non-economic losses.
Some of the damages you may receive are:
- Loss of wages: These cover any work you may have missed or your loved one would have earned had they survived the accident.
- Medical costs: Any medicine, therapy, emergency room visits, or doctor visit costs that you accrued due to the accident.
- Pain and suffering: These are emotional stressors that are due to the accident. These are non-tangible, and we can help you calculate how much your pain and suffering is worth.
- Loss of companionship: These awards cover the loss of ability to live with and provide for your loved one the way you did before their injuries or before they died. This is also typically calculated by economists.
The factors in your case will decide your entitlement to any awards. It takes a lot of work and investigating to get the compensation a person deserves. We are in the business of helping our clients get the financial recovery they are entitled to.
Contact Ben Crump, PLLC, Today
Our Santa Ana police chase accidents lawyer is ready to help you file. We have won millions for our clients and want to help you get the compensation you deserve. Navigating the law is complicated, especially when you are dealing with government entities. They have protections based on incidents, and we have to make sure we can work through those laws so you are also treated fairly.
Contact Ben Crump, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 today. We will look over your case for free. You will not have to worry about paying any fees upfront either because we do not receive payment until we win.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
