- July 15, 2018
- Car Accidents
There are all types of car accidents. Some involve drunk drivers. Others involve cars that are going down the street the wrong way. However, usually, an accident involves two normal people just going about their business. That’s why it’s not unheard of for a car accident to involve a police officer. If you’ve been hurt in a car crash at the hands of Greenwood law enforcement, we suggest you contact an auto accident attorney.
Police officers are human. They are also required to engage in some unusual driving tactics while on the job. They could be chasing after a criminal. Or, they may be responding to an emergency call. However, if a police officer’s negligence causes an accident, they may be held civilly liable for any damages that result.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident at the hands of law enforcement, you really need to call an attorney. Your case will depend on whether the officer was on duty at the time of the accident. Your Greenwood car accident attorney will also guide you through the best way to handle your case.
A Greenwood Car Wreck Attorney Can Help
If the Greenwood law enforcement officer was not on duty at the time of your accident, then your case will be handled the same way as any other accident. Law enforcement is not exempt from the law. Your auto accident lawyer will pursue your claim the same as he would any other person. He will file an insurance claim and hope that it is paid. If the insurance company refuses to pay, he will have to file suit on your behalf.
Understand that filing suit against a police officer is something you want to avoid. Like it or not, a jury will give a certain amount of deference and credibility to a police officer. This is true whether he was on duty or not at the time of the accident. Your best bet is to settle your case with the insurance company or the defendant. You want to settle your case and avoid the need for a long, expensive trial.
Your Car Accident Lawyer in Greenwood Will Represent You No Matter What
You may be afraid to file a claim against a police officer. If he was on duty at the time of the accident, things will be a bit more difficult. Your car accident lawyer may have to file a claim against multiple parties. He may have to file suit against:
- The officer (driver)
- The police department
- The city
- The county
- Any third parties that played a role in the accident
It is obvious that you may have to file a claim against the officer, the police department and the city. However, things become more interesting when it comes to third parties. Depending on what the police officer was doing at the time of the accident, there could be a third party held responsible.
If Greenwood law enforcement was chasing after a criminal who was fleeing, the criminal will likely be named in your lawsuit. But for the criminal’s fleeing, the officer wouldn’t have been speeding down the road and in a position to cause your accident. If the officer was on his way to an emergency call, there is less of a chance that you’d file a claim against a third party.
Just remember, if you are going to pursue the police department or city for a car accident, you will have to prove negligence. This means you’ll have to show that the police officer who hit you wasn’t exercising reasonable care at the time of the accident. You can do this by proving that he was speeding when there was no need to. Or, if he blew through an intersection without his lights on, he may be found negligent. Let your auto accident attorney worry about the legal side of things.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Greenwood, South Carolina
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident at the hands of Greenwood law enforcement, you need to contact a car accident lawyer in Greenwood. Your lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and determine who you need to pursue. Your case will depend on whether the officer was on duty at the time of the accident. It will also depend on whether he was acting negligently at the time of the accident.
Call and schedule your free consultation today. It gives you a chance to ask any questions you may have. It also gives your attorney a chance to evaluate your case and see what it may be worth. The consultation is free and you pay nothing until you settle your case.
