When a driver refuses to pull over in Roswell, police officers may need to initiate a chase. Unfortunately, innocent bystanders on the road can become injured during the chase process. If you or someone you love was harmed in this way, we urge you to speak with a Roswell car accident lawyer right away.
At John Foy & Associates, we can ensure you know your legal rights and fight for any compensation you’re entitled to receive. Police chase cases can be confusing and complicated, but we will work tirelessly to gather the facts and pursue the recovery you deserve.
How Injuries Happen During a Police Chase in Roswell
When a high-speed police chase begins, the risk to other drivers nearby is high. The actions of the driver being chase are unpredictable to everyone else, and any type of collision can occur.
During a police chase, drivers may become injured from rear-end collisions, front-end collisions, side-impact crashes, rollovers, and much more. Bicyclists, motorcyclists, and even pedestrians can become injured or killed if they happen to be in the chased driver’s path.
Many people question the tactics of police chases and when they should be commenced. Innocent victims and their families may wonder why the chase was necessary and whether or not all risks were considered. No matter how or why a chase happened, if you were injured or lost a loved one in the process, you should not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes.
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What to Know About Police Chase Injuries in Georgia
According to statistics provided by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), there was an average of 355 people killed each year in police chase-related accidents from 1996 to 2015. That comes out to around one person per day. Other important facts include:
- There were around 68,000 vehicle chases by state and local law enforcement agencies in 2012.
- In the same year, local police performed eight police chases per 100 officers and sheriffs’ offices performed nine police chases per 100 officers.
- Most police agencies that used police chases had certain criteria, such as type of offense and speed, they used to determine when a chase was okay.
- Around one percent of sheriffs’ offices and two percent of local police departments banned police chases.
- In 2012, police chases happened most often in police agencies where the officer’s discretion determined whether or not a chase happened.
The majority of fatalities (65%) from police chases involved people inside the vehicles that were being chased. Twenty-nine percent (almost one-third) of the fatalities were drivers or passengers in vehicles not involved in a chase. Those not in a vehicle and not involved in the chase made up four percent of police chase fatalities.
Nearly one-third of fatalities as innocent bystanders is a significant number—and that’s not taking into account those who were injured but not killed as a result of a chase. If you or a loved one were harmed during a police chase in Roswell, you have legal options. Call John Foy & Associates today at (404) 400-4000 or reach out online to discuss your compensation.
Common Injuries from Police Chases
Any type of injury can result from a police chase. Since chases often occur at high speeds, serious injuries like the following are very common:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Loss of limb
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Permanent disabilities
The pain and cost of injuries from a police chase can be catastrophic, resulting in huge medical bills, missed work time, and intense emotional damages. All damages should be considered and calculated so you know what to seek as a settlement.
How Fault Works for Injuries Suffered During a Police Chase
If you were hurt or a loved one was killed during a police chase, you might wonder who is responsible for the damages: the driver being pursued, the police department, or a combination of both?
Police chases are allowed in most police departments, but there are specific procedures that must be followed, and there are guidelines that dictate when a chase is necessary. Police chases should be performed in a way that is as safe as possible for everyone on the road.
The victim or their family may be able to hold the police department responsible only if injuries or deaths resulted from an officer showing reckless disregard for the proper procedures (Georgia Code section 40-6-6(d)(2)). However, if procedures were followed correctly, the driver who caused the chase will likely be legally responsible for the damages.
Common Damages from a Roswell Police Chase
If you were harmed as an innocent bystander during a police chase, you likely have many damages that have negatively impacted your life. An experienced lawyer can help you build a case to seek compensation for costs and losses like:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs (or replacement)
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
A lawyer can determine the full extent of your damages, taking into account future medical costs and other ways in which the accident has affected you. Your lawyer can also investigate the accident to pinpoint who is responsible for your damages and how you should begin pursuing the recovery you deserve.
Get Help from a Roswell Police Chase Lawyer Here – Starting with a Free Consultation
Our Roswell police chase lawyers at John Foy & Associates are well-versed in these types of cases. We are dedicated to helping innocent victims of high-speed police chases get the compensation they deserve. You should not have to pay for the costs of a chase that you were not involved in.
To get a FREE consultation, call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. We’ll listen to the details of what happened to you and discuss how we can help. If you decide to hire us, there will be no fee unless we win you a settlement or an award.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
