When the police start chasing a suspect in Stonecrest, innocent people can become injured. While some might say there are legitimate reasons for police chases, we can’t deny the real risks. Police officers should weigh the pros and cons of each pursuit before starting it.
If one thing goes wrong, people can get hurt during a high-speed chase. And if you or a loved one were one of the victims, you have legal rights. You might deserve financial compensation for what the accident has taken from you.
Our Stonecrest police chase accident lawyers can help. We’ll go over the details during a FREE consultation. To learn more, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Proving Liability After a Police Chase Accident
Car accidents during police chases can happen at any time. If someone gets injured, it’s essential to know who’s responsible. Injuries can happen to other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or others.
Depending on the situation, the at-fault party could be:
- The chasing police officer
- The police department
- The suspect officers were chasing
- A third-party driver
Some cities, like Atlanta, have no-chase policies for police departments. But other cities still allow chases in certain situations. If chases are allowed, officers should use sound judgment before starting one. Officers should also know when it’s best to stop a pursuit to avoid further harm.
After the accident, it’s crucial to investigate the details. Determining fault is not easy after a complicated police chase accident. You’ll need to know whose actions led to the crash.
Also, the law makes it difficult to bring any case against a police department.
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Police Immunity for Injuries
Police officers in areas like Stonecrest have a duty to the public. Many officers approach the law reasonably, but police misconduct is also very real. If an officer abuses their power and causes an accident, the injured person might have a legal case.
After police misconduct, you might sue:
- The officer that caused the harm
- The city that employs the officer
Police officers have what’s called “qualified immunity.” Unless the victim can prove that an officer violated their rights, a lawsuit against the officer can get thrown out. This immunity works to prevent officers from frequent legal threats.
If a police officer was responsible for your accident during a police chase, you still have rights. But proving fault will be more challenging than with other car accident claims. You will probably need expert legal help to recover damages.
John Foy & Associates can help. We know how to navigate complicated police chase cases. To learn your legal options, call (404) 400-4000 today for a free consultation.
Damages You Might Recover After a Police Chase Accident
If another person caused your accident, you can pursue financial recovery. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-12-4 allows you to seek damages as compensation.
A lawyer can help you seek recovery for damages like:
Medical Costs
Police chase accidents tend to be severe. The injuries are often serious, leading to costly medical treatment.
If you did not cause the accident, you shouldn’t have to bear the costs. You can file a lawsuit to recover expenses like:
- Doctor bills
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Future medical care
Lost Income
Accident injuries often cause you to miss work time. If your injuries are severe enough, they can affect your future income. You might be eligible to recover the revenue you’ve lost because of the accident.
Vehicle Damage
If you were driving during the accident, you probably have vehicle damage. You can claim the costs of repairing or replacing your car. If other personal property was damaged, you can include these costs, too.
Pain and Suffering
Physical injuries are not the only damages from an accident. Police chase crashes often cause emotional “injuries,” too. You might deserve compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety or depression
- Scarring or disfigurement
The accident can affect your emotional health in many ways. Talk to your doctor about how the accident has impacted your life. You might deserve financial recovery for your emotional damages.
Wrongful Death
Car accidents caused by police chases can be terrible. In too many cases, these crashes can lead to deaths.
You have rights if a loved one died in an accident. You might have a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. Wrongful death can mean damages like:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Funeral and burial costs
A Stonecrest lawyer can account for every loss from your accident. They can also fight for your right to a fair recovery. If your accident happened during a police chase, it doesn’t mean you cannot seek compensation.
Police officers should be careful before starting a chase. Officers should understand the real risks of going after a suspect. If a chase leads to injuries or death, someone should be held responsible.
Building a Police Chase Accident Claim
Contact us today if you were injured because of a police chase. Our team knows how to investigate the details and gather the right evidence. We can help you by:
- Getting evidence from the accident scene
- Determining who is liable for your injuries
- Proving liability for the accident
- Keeping track of your costs
- Calculating your total damages
- Talking to eyewitnesses
- Obtaining video surveillance footage
- Protecting your legal rights
Bringing a case after a police chase isn’t easy. If the police were at fault, it’s challenging to fight for your rights. But at John Foy & Associates, we don’t back down from difficult cases.
We can review your situation and determine your best options. You can learn more today during a free consultation.
Talk to a Stonecrest Police Chase Accident Lawyer Today
Police chases can be dangerous to everyone around. If you were one of the victims, you have legal rights. John Foy & Associates can fight for what you deserve before it’s too late.
We have been helping accident victims for over 20 years. Our lawyers will be there for you every step of the way. You can focus on healing while we handle the legal details.
Our team does not charge a fee unless we win you compensation. To learn more during a FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form