One of the many difficult decisions that law enforcement officers have to make is whether to pursue a suspect fleeing in a vehicle. While they must apprehend suspects, they also have a duty to prevent harm from occurring to others, and high-speed vehicle pursuits can cause a great amount of damage, including death.
If you or your loved ones were injured or even killed in an accident caused by a police chase in the St. Petersburg, Florida area, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses.
A St. Petersburg accidents caused by police chase lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, could help you recover compensation. Our team can investigate the accident, identify liable parties, and work to get you a settlement for your injuries and other losses. Call us at (844) 730-0233 to schedule a free consultation at no obligation. We operate on contingency, so we will never charge you any fees unless we can negotiate a settlement.
Police Chase Accidents and Liability
Vehicle pursuits often occur at high speeds and may involve running through red lights or stop signs, crossing medians, making dangerous turns, or even driving off the road onto sidewalks or other areas. There are many ways a police chase can cause accidents, and many people who could suffer harm from them, including:
- The person being chased
- The pursuing officers
- Other drivers on the road
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
- Innocent bystanders
- Property owners
When a police pursuit causes injury, death, or property damage, it can sometimes be difficult to know who is at fault. Besides the chased suspect, the law enforcement officer who was driving, the police department, and other governmental or municipal agencies may all carry responsibility for the accident.
The Florida Highway Patrol has a strict policy and guidelines for when officers should engage in a vehicle pursuit. Individual police departments and other agencies may also have their own policies for when to pursue a suspect. If they violate these policies, the police department could be liable for any accidents caused by the chase and owe you compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a police chase accidents lawyer serving St.Petersburg, call (844) 730-0233
Legal Options After an Accident Caused by a Police Chase
If you or your loved ones suffered because of an accident caused by a police chase, you may not be sure where to turn for help or compensation. The St. Petersburg accidents caused by police chase lawyer and the rest of the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, may be able to help you. We can investigate your accident, review your options, advise you on the best course of action, represent your interests, and see your case through to the end.
Since Florida is a no-fault insurance state, one way you may be able to get help is to file a claim with your own insurance company to get compensation for your medical bills under your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Depending on the accident, you may also be able to file a claim with the insurance provider of the police department or the person who was chased. Hiring a lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of insurance policies and protect your rights to any compensation you may deserve.
Another possibility is suing for damages through a personal injury lawsuit. In some situations, the government has immunity against lawsuits, so whether this is an option depends on your unique circumstances.
Because Florida follows a comparative negligence law, Florida Statute § 768.81, winning a personal injury lawsuit will also depend on proving who is at fault for the accident. This comparative negligence statute means that each person involved in an accident is assigned a percentage of fault, and their eligibility to recover compensation is reduced by that percentage. For example, if you are 10% at fault for the accident, you will be eligible to receive that much less of the award, or 90% of the total.
While recovering compensation after an accident caused by a police chase may be challenging, the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, does not shy away from tough cases. Contact us today to get started and find out how we can help you.
St.Petersburg Police Chase Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Damages You Could Recover
After an accident caused by a police chase, you may not be able to go to work due to injuries, or you may be struggling with the death of a loved one. Potential losses you could recover through a personal injury lawsuit can pay for non-economic damages, like loss of consortium or pain and suffering, or economic damages, like medical bills or lost wages.
You deserve to receive compensation after an accident that was not your fault. Medical bills, vehicle repairs or replacement, and other costs can add up quickly. You should not have to suffer further after an injury caused by someone else because of these financial burdens.
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The Statute of Limitations May Affect Your Case
Statutes of limitations are laws that put a time limit on when you can pursue legal action for an offense. According to Florida Statute § 95.11, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Florida is four years and two years for wrongful death cases. In most situations, you will not be eligible to recover compensation for an accident if it occurred beyond this time frame. However, there can be rare exceptions, so you can always consult a lawyer to be sure you know your legal options.
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Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, for Help
Any car accident can be traumatic and stressful, but those caused by police pursuit can be even more so. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we are here to help you through this difficult time. Our St. Petersburg accidents caused by police chase lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for the accident.
To help you with your case, we can investigate the accident, gather evidence, identify who might be liable, negotiate with insurance providers, communicate with law enforcement, file a lawsuit, manage all documentation, and, finally, pursue the settlement you deserve.
Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233. You can schedule a free consultation at no obligation. Because we work on contingency, you will never owe us anything unless we can negotiate a financial award for you.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form