What Happens If A Police Car Bumps Into Yours?

The job of a police officer is not an easy one. They face unknown situations on a daily basis, and the mental and physical demands they face are rarely seen in any occupation except perhaps the armed services or other first responders. Although they are human, they make mistakes just like everyone else. It is possible for a victim of a mistake to receive compensation if the consequences of the error are severe enough for others to suffer.

 

Consider the case of a police officer who crashes his or her vehicle while on the lam from a dangerous suspect. They may injure innocent bystanders. Normally, the individual or someone nearby would contact the police for assistance. What happens if a police officer is responsible for the injury? Who are the people you intend to contact? Those who have been hurt in an accident should seek the advice of an attorney. Together with the client, the attorney works to hold the police force and officer accountable for the injury or damage to property.

 

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The Police’s Negligence.

Police officers can be held to the same standards of accountability as anyone else. When it comes to civil law, law enforcement officers are not exempt from liability if the law determines that they acted negligently. Because proving negligence can be difficult for victims, many turn to the courts for help. Having honest car accident attorneys on your side can help you determine if a police officer has strayed from the law.

 

Society may hold an officer and his or her department responsible for the officer’s actions while on duty. For example, if an officer uses excessive force and the accused gets hurt or dies, the victim or his family can sue the officer. When a police officer hits someone or something with his or her vehicle while on duty, the same holds true. If they were injured or damaged, they may file a lawsuit against the officer and the department.

 

Suing the Police

If a victim wishes to sue law enforcement, they must be aware of the proper procedures. For example, they must understand the limitations period in their case. The first step is usually to notify the office in writing of the event, any injuries, and any property damage. For this purpose, it may be necessary to fill out a special form provided by the department. Don’t risk discovering that your claim is invalid because you didn’t take the proper steps. Regrettably, this does occur to some victims.

 

If a lawsuit is warranted, the victim should file this report. When suing a government agency, many jurisdictions have a shorter statute of limitations. This safeguard shields the government from as many court cases as possible. Although it’s unfortunate that this reduction in the statute is hurting victims, they are unaware of the different laws in place for government entities. With this information in hand, a lawyer works with the client to ensure that all deadlines are met. In cases where the accident occurred in a different state, this is especially important, as the laws there may be different. To ensure that they receive the compensation they are entitled to, one must follow the law to the letter.

 

Probabilities of Succeeding

People who have been wronged by the police often wonder whether or not they should file a formal complaint. Many people may be reluctant to find law enforcement guilty, so will they prevail in court? Unlike civil forfeiture cases, negligence cases are much easier to prove. A police officer is less likely to be protected by the law in this situation. If the plaintiff prevails in court, they may be entitled to compensation for their losses, including compensatory, punitive, and civil rights damages. Victims benefit financially from these settlements as they get through this trying time.

 

Any disagreement with an officer is usually complicated. Taking on the entire department on one’s own is rarely a good idea. If a lawsuit is filed against the department or one of its officers, the department will have lawyers on hand to defend the department. Victims, too, require legal counsel, especially if the case involves a potential issue of immunity for government officials or employees.

 

As a result, anyone contemplating legal action against a member of law enforcement or their agency should consult with an attorney first. This initial meeting provides the victim with much-needed advice and information, even if they decide not to retain the lawyer’s services. The victim can now make an informed decision about whether or not to file a claim as a result of the guidance and information provided. Taking the next step in life is much simpler after they’ve made this decision. Right now, that’s the most critical consideration.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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