If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing you can do is speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Being in a car accident that involves a police car can be intimidating for a victim. Pursuing a claim against a government entity may seem like an impossible goal to reach, as you may find yourself fighting against a powerful institution with special laws and regulations.
Who Is Liable When You Are Hit By a Police Car?
There is a fundamental question to be answered before determining who is liable: was the police officer behind the wheel performing his work duties, or did the accident happen during his personal time?
If the officer was driving the police car while on duty, the municipality is generally responsible for whatever damages they inflicted. But if they were using the car for personal use or demonstrated gross negligent driving, the municipality is no longer liable, and you would have to pursue a personal injury claim against the driver.
What To Do If You Were Hit By a Police Car?
If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing you can do is speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible.
One of the first things to consider is to promptly file a claim – some government entities give you as little as 30 days to file a claim – and gather sufficient evidence to ask for a reasonable quote. The quote should not be too high, but not too low either, to maximize your chances to cover all your damages and expenses.
Evidence that can be used in your case includes:
- Eye-witness accounts from your passengers, other drivers, or whoever happened to be close-by when it happened.
- Dashcam recordings from the police car.
- Medical records that show the extent of your personal damage.
- Documents from your employer that show your lost wages.
Another important aspect of your claim is determining if the police car had its emergency signals on – sirens and lights. If they were on at the time of the accident, you might be found liable for not letting the police car through and obstructing its way.
In some cases, even when having their lights and sirens on, the police car driver might still drive negligently, relative to the operation they were carrying. Such things are generally hard to prove, though, and you will benefit greatly from having an experienced attorney representing you throughout the case development.
Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
If you have to file a claim against a governmental entity, you will certainly benefit from the help of a reputable St. Louis car accident attorney. These cases tend to get complex, and a lawyer can help you fight to get fair compensation.