Accidents and Injuries Involving Police Cars
While the police have the right to operate their vehicles differently than a civilian driver, the operation of the said vehicle should not jeopardize public safety. If you were injured in an accident with a police car, there is a complex legal process ahead, and you need the help of an experienced Milwaukee personal injury attorney.
Who is Liable in a Police Car Accident?
The liability in a police car accident lies with the party who caused the accident. A police officer rushing to an accident or crime incident does not have the right to drive in such a manner that innocent people are at risk of injury or death. If the collision involved a government employee or vehicle, there are different limitations and specific procedures that must be followed. These are outlined in Section 893.80 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
The procedures for claims against local governmental bodies or officers such as police officers employed by a village or city or sheriffs or deputy sheriffs employed by a county are different than filing a standard insurance claim against a liable party. One vital difference in cases filed against a governmental body is there are only 120 days in which to file the initial paperwork, called a Notice of Injury.
This filing must set forth the circumstances of the claim and be signed by the injured person or that person’s attorney. This form must also be addressed to the proper governmental body and be properly served. In addition, an Itemized Claim for Relief establishing the injured person’s injuries and damages must be served upon the proper governmental body as a prerequisite to being able to file a lawsuit.
Yet a different set of rules and procedures apply when the potential claim involves a State-owned vehicle, as in the case of an accident caused by the negligent operation of a Wisconsin State Patrol vehicle.
These Notice of Injury and Claim for Relief procedures and requirements may be a trap for the unwary. Failure to file within the time limits or failing to provide the required information could invalidate your claim and prevent you from recovering compensation. For that reason, it is important to contact an experienced Milwaukee police car accident lawyer as soon as possible to make sure these rules are strictly complied with.
What to Do When You’re in a Police Car Accident in Wisconsin
If you have been injured or a loved one has been injured in a police car accident, your first concern is naturally your health and getting the emergency medical treatment you need. During this time, it may be difficult to consider the legal aspects of your case – which is understandable. However, engaging counsel may prove to be very important to your future well-being.
A serious injury will have long-term consequences. You may be unable to work, disabled, or require extensive medical care or even a lifetime of care. Who will pay the damages? Who will care for your family if you no longer can earn a living? If you were involved in a police car accident in Milwaukee or any other area in Wisconsin, get help from a Cannon & Dunphy police car accident lawyer in Milwaukee.
Why Do You Need a Milwaukee Police Car Accident Attorney?
Law enforcement officers have a tough job. Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of line-of-duty deaths for officers in the USA. Police rushing to an incident often speed through intersections, may be distracted by information pouring in on the mobile data terminal, and/or may be under stress. However, police officers must operate their vehicles in a manner that does not result in injuries to civilians. An innocent driver, pedestrian, motorcyclist or bicyclist may be hit by a speeding police car. In such a case, you must retain experienced legal counsel.
Every detail of a police car accident case must be handled with extreme attention to detail. A failure to file full documentation can lead to a denial of a valid claim – which is not particularly uncommon. It is especially difficult to understand the requirements and procedures for presenting governmental claims without the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Without an experienced law firm like Cannon & Dunphy S.C. in your corner, you may miss a crucial filing date or other failure – and lose the opportunity to recover compensation altogether. Don’t let that happen to you.
Call Our Trial Lawyers Today
At Cannon & Dunphy, we offer a free consultation to people injured in collisions with a law enforcement vehicle. We do not charge any legal fees unless we successfully conclude your case. We have recovered many, many multi-million dollar settlements, with over $1 billion recovered for our clients to date.
Call today – we care about our clients and aim to recover the maximum amount possible in every case.