Accident With Police Vehicle Legal Advice

Car crashes are complex both legally and financially, so when it comes to accidents with government property, you should work with the best accident lawyers in Phoenix. In order to get the compensation you need from a government entity, it’s important to understand the exact requirements of the legal process and you must submit them exactly when required. A good lawyer can help.

If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a police vehicle, unique deadlines and limitations might shape your case, but you may still have the right to compensation.

Legal Options After an Accident With a Police Vehicle

Though we often see police departments and those who work for them acting outside of the law in cases of emergency, they are not immune from responsibility. If a police officer caused your injuries, even if it was while driving a government vehicle, you can pursue compensation.

You need to understand in what ways the parameters of liability are different.

Emergency Situations

Police are not held to the same traffic laws as citizens as they respond to emergencies. Anyone who has seen a police car speeding through a red light knows this. However, while these vehicles and those driving them have certain privileges, they are not free to disregard public safety.

Depending on how an officer conducts themselves and their vehicle, they may still be liable for damages.

A number of factors are relevant to each case:

• Was the officer responding appropriately to a verified emergency?
• Were the lights and sirens used correctly?
• Was the officer acting reasonably?

Clearly, some of these factors can be difficult to measure, and the police department will have every reason to frame their actions as justified.

As always, witness statements can help attorneys assess these questions. Fortunately, another aspect that makes accidents with police vehicles unique is that dash cam footage and body cam recordings can sometimes shed light on officer behavior.

Because Arizona is a comparative fault state, it’s important to understand exactly what percentage of the accident each party is responsible for. A skilled lawyer can use information and expert assessment to determine this.

There is also one major difference in public versus private vehicle accidents. This applies to the process of seeking compensation and must be understood to have your case heard at all.

Notice of Claim

Before you are able to file a lawsuit against a public entity in Arizona, you must file a Notice of Claim. A Notice of Claim includes:

• A specific amount you are seeking
• Facts that support your claim
• An explanation for how the amount was calculated

Accidents with private vehicles in Arizona have a statute of limitation of two years from the date of the accident. This is much shorter for accidents with public vehicles.

Victims have 180 days from the date of the accident to submit an accurate and complete Notice of Claim. If it is missing information or is submitted after 180 days, the case will be dismissed. If the claim is accepted, the victim then has one year after the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

Key Deadlines After an Accident With a Police Vehicle in Arizona

Why Representation Matters More Than Ever

The process of establishing liability and pursuing compensation from a police department is arduous and often technical. There are issues at play that aren’t present in accidents between two private citizens, and it can be intimidating to try to navigate the process without representation.

A skilled lawyer can:

• Calculate a settlement that accurately reflects damages
• Prepare and serve a legal Notice of Claim on time
• Investigate liability of the officer
• Negotiate with the responsible government agency
• File suit

Expert Advice Fast

If you’re in an accident with a police vehicle, don’t give into intimidation or give up in the face of a confusing legal process. Reach out to Gage Mathers to get advice on how to more forward quickly.

We can help you understand the key deadlines in your case, including how long you have to accept a settlement. Call us today to start the ball rolling on getting the compensation you deserve!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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