When police pursue suspects, they and the person they chase tend to drive wildly or unsafely. Not only do they run red lights, but they also weave in and out of traffic and take sharp, unexpected turns.
Unfortunately, you may not have time to move out of the way due to their speed and unexpected driving, which could cause an accident. Therefore, these are steps you should take if you become involved in a police chase accident.
Get medical attention
Seek medical attention. Due to your adrenaline, you may not feel your injuries immediately, so act cautiously and visit your physician at least. If you know you received an injury, you can receive treatment at the scene from an EMT or get to a hospital.
Record the scene
Take photos and videos of your car, yourself and the scene as soon as you can. Also, write down witness contact information and a detailed account of the incident. Gather the accident report and your medical records.
Find out who is at fault
Suspects who flee in vehicles have a legal obligation to protect others on the road. Therefore, their dangerous behavior places them at fault if they collide with you or your vehicle. Although it is difficult to recover damages from them, police who cause accidents during these chases can also be at fault. Finally, government entities may be at fault if they did not prevent the incident or were lax in officer training.
Research laws and policies
Every state has specific laws on police-involved accidents. In addition, police departments have policies that govern suspect chases. Find them to learn how you can recover damages.
Now, you have all the information you need to file a claim with your insurance company or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.