Who Is Liable For Damages Caused During A Car Chase?

A car chase by police typically involves a police officer following a fleeing suspect in a vehicle. The chase may last for a short time or several miles and reach high speeds. The suspect may try to evade capture by driving erratically, running red lights, or going off-road. The police may use stop sticks or a PIT maneuver to disable the suspect's vehicle. The police chase the car until the driver stops or is forced to stop. If your vehicle gets damaged during a car chase, you are entitled to compensation, but before that, you should contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer. 

Who is liable for damages caused during a car chase?

Police car chases are extremely dangerous and can cause personal injuries, property damage, and even death. If you are involved in a police car chase, it is important to stay calm and avoid sudden movements that could startle the officer and cause them to lose control of the vehicle. Pull over to the side of the road and stop the car if you can. Turn on your hazard lights and wait for the officer to approach your vehicle. Do not get out of the car unless the officer tells you to. If the officer does not approach your vehicle, consider calling 911 to tell them what is happening.

There can be a few different reasons why a driver may attempt to evade police or refuse to stop when they see flashing blue lights behind them. Maybe the driver has a warrant out for their arrest, or maybe they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and do not want to get caught. Or, the driver could simply be panicking and not thinking clearly. Whatever the reason, it is always a risky move to try and outrun the police, and it is almost always better to just stop and cooperate with the officer.

Can police be held liable for damages caused during a car chase?

Police officers could be liable for damages if their actions during a car chase were negligent or reckless. For example, if an officer drove recklessly during a chase and caused an accident, the officer could be liable for the resulting injuries and property damage. The victim would need to prove that the officer's actions were unreasonable and that the officer knew or should have known that their actions could result in an accident.