Being struck by a vehicle during a police chase is a traumatic experience that leaves victims with serious injuries, damaged property, and a confusing set of questions about who is responsible and where to turn. Unlike a standard car accident, crashes during police pursuits may involve multiple potentially liable parties, government immunity laws, and legal theories that most people have never encountered. Understanding your rights in the aftermath of a police pursuit crash is the first step toward pursuing the compensation you deserve.
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C., our team of experienced personal injury attorneys help victims throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, including those injured in accidents caused by police chases. If you or a loved one was hurt during a pursuit, call our team at (412) 391-7610 to discuss your legal options.
Determining Liability: Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries?
One of the most complicated aspects of a police pursuit crash is that more than one party may bear legal responsibility for your injuries. Identifying every liable party is essential to securing your recovery.
Liability of the Fleeing Suspect
The driver fleeing police is almost always a primary source of liability. By choosing to flee law enforcement and driving recklessly through public streets, that driver creates dangerous conditions that may lead to innocent people being hurt.
Pennsylvania law allows injured victims to pursue civil claims against the fleeing driver for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. In practice, however, collecting from a fleeing suspect can be difficult if that person lacks insurance or significant assets, which is why examining additional sources of liability is so important.
Liability of the Police Department and Municipalities
Police departments and the municipalities that employ the officers may also bear responsibility for injuries caused during pursuits. Litigating those claims requires navigating Pennsylvania's sovereign immunity and municipal liability laws.
Law enforcement agencies have a duty to weigh the risks of initiating or continuing a high-speed chase against the threat posed by the fleeing suspect. When officers pursue a driver for a minor infraction at speeds that endanger the public, or when a department's own pursuit policies were violated, liability for the resulting harm may extend to the government entity itself.
Understanding Pennsylvania's "Sovereign Immunity" Laws
Pennsylvania's sovereign immunity doctrine generally shields government entities, including police departments and municipalities, from civil lawsuits. However, that protection is not absolute. Pennsylvania law includes exceptions to sovereign and municipal liability which allow injured parties to sue the government under certain circumstances.
When Can You Sue the Government for a Police Pursuit?
One of the most relevant exceptions involves the negligent operation of a motor vehicle by a government employee. When a local or state police officer drives negligently and that negligence contributes to injuries suffered by an innocent third party, a claim against the municipality or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may be viable under this exception.
Pennsylvania law requires an injured party to provide written notice of a claim to the local or state government within six months of the injury, so prompt action by a skilled attorney is critical to protect your rights.
Recent Pittsburgh Examples: The Danger of High-Speed Pursuits
Multiple victims took legal action after being injured by a vehicle fleeing a Pittsburgh police officer. The case drew attention to the real-world consequences of high-speed pursuits in dense urban areas and highlighted the legal pathways available to innocent bystanders caught in the chaos.
Cases like this illustrate why Pittsburgh residents need to understand that being hurt during a police chase does not mean they are without recourse. Both the fleeing driver and the government entities involved may be held accountable for the harm they cause.
Steps to Take if Your Car Was Hit During a Police Chase
If you are involved in a pursuit crash, the steps you take in the immediate aftermath can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation:
- Call 911 and seek emergency medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor at first.
- Stay at the scene and wait for law enforcement to arrive and document the incident.
- Photograph the vehicles involved, road conditions, visible injuries, and any relevant surroundings.
- Collect contact information from witnesses before they leave the scene.
- Request copies of the police report and any incident reports generated by the pursuing officers.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies or government representatives before consulting an attorney.
- Contact a Pittsburgh personal injury attorney with Shenderovich, Shenderovich, & Fishman, P.C. at (412) 391-7610 as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin investigating the claim.
Pursuit crashes often involve government actors, which means certain notice deadlines apply that are much shorter than the standard statute of limitations. Acting quickly is not just helpful in these cases. It is essential.
How a Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Can Help
Pursuit crash cases are among the more legally complex motor vehicle accident claims an attorney can handle. They may involve simultaneous claims against private individuals and government entities, sovereign immunity defenses, pursuit policy analysis, and in the most serious cases, wrongful death claims on behalf of families who lost a loved one in the crash.
Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C. brings over 170 years of combined personal injury experience to cases exactly like yours. Our attorneys are Pittsburgh natives who live and work in this community. When you hire our firm, you work directly with the lawyers whose names are on the door. We have a 99.7% success rate over the last five years, and our fee is only 25%, compared to the 40% that many other firms charge, which means we put more money in your pocket!
We handle every aspect of pursuit crash cases in-house, from the initial investigation and government notice filings to dealing with insurance companies and, when necessary, arguing your case in front of a jury. We do not get paid unless you win.
If your car was hit during a police chase in Pittsburgh or anywhere in Western Pennsylvania, contact Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C. today at (412) 391-7610 to schedule a free consultation.
