Accidents involving police cars occur more frequently than most people know, but they are handled differently than a conventional car collision. Despite the fact that the regulations may be different, police officers do not enjoy immunity. Continue reading to learn how these matters can be handled, and call 909-982-0707 to schedule a free legal consultation with Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas.
Do not admit fault
You should never acknowledge fault in a vehicle accident. You should just provide the basic minimum of information to the police, such as your name and driver’s license number. This is tough in any situation, but it is more difficult when the person you are in an accident with is a police officer. They could even try to get you to confess anything. Whatever the case may be, inform them that you need to speak with your personal injury lawyer before sharing the details of the accident.
These cases differ in a few ways
Aside from the fact that dealing with a police officer rather than a citizen may make you feel frightened, these automobile accident situations might differ in a variety of ways. First, the police officer is most likely protected by the city’s insurance coverage. As a result, the claims procedure may change.
The city may take a long time to examine your claim, which is why you need hire an attorney so that we can keep the pressure on. You may also have a limited amount of time to file your claim. This is why you should call an attorney as soon as possible; if you miss the deadline, you will be out of luck.
What the police vehicle was doing at the time of the accident determines who is to blame
In the majority of vehicle accidents, blame is established by ascertaining who was at fault. While this is also true in the case of police car accidents, it can be more challenging. This is due to a police car’s “emergency vehicle” exemption, which permits them to do things that most drivers would consider criminal, such as speeding, running red lights, stopping at stop signs, not surrendering the right of way, and not signaling.
If a police officer is responding to an emergency call and uses their lights and sirens, they may be excused from liability for any accidents that they cause. If one of these statements is false, they can be held liable. These are complex situations that make many drivers feel uneasy. As a result, we strongly advise you to contact an attorney as soon as possible. For a free legal consultation, call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 right now.
