Car accidents involving a police car are not like other car accidents. If a driver or pedestrian is hit by a police car, the NYPD and the city can still be liable to an injured driver, passenger, or pedestrian for injuries caused in an accident with a patrol car. Injury claims for victims hit by police cars depend on what the police officer was doing at the time and how the officer was driving. If the police officer is determined to be negligent, then the injury victim may be able to recover damages for their injuries.
There are, however, exemptions. In order to be exempt from certain traffic laws, the officer has to be responding to an emergency, which can include responding to an emergency call or being in pursuit of a suspect. But an officer does not get to claim exemption from traffic laws just because he or she is a cop. It is not considered an emergency if the officer is driving back from a call or is driving his or her personal car when there is no emergency.
After an accident occurs, seek immediate medical attention, even if you’re unsure if you have been injured. Many car accident victims don’t think they were injured until a day or two after the accident. Police car accidents are much more complicated than regular car accident claims. Claims involving city or state employees have a different claims process and can take much longer to resolve.
If you or a loved have been seriously injured in a car accident involving a police car, let Karasik Law Group fight for you to get the compensation you deserve. Call us today to set up your Free Consultation: 718-502-9112 and be sure to visit our website at www.karasiklawyers.com. At Leading Law Firm Karasik Law Group, winning matters. Win with us! We speak for the injured; our results speak for themselves.