Tampa Florida Police Car Chase Injury Lawyer

Injured in a Police Chase in Tampa? Know Your Rights

High-speed police chases are rare, but when they happen, they can lead to devastating injuries for innocent bystanders. If you or a loved one has been hurt as a result of a police pursuit, it’s crucial to understand your legal options. In Florida, there are specific circumstances under which law enforcement can be held responsible for injuries caused during a chase.

The answer is: sometimes. A key case, City of Pinellas Park v. Brown, set the precedent that police officers can be sued when their reckless actions contribute to an accident during a pursuit. This means that if law enforcement engages in a high-speed chase that creates a dangerous situation, they may be held liable for resulting injuries.

When is the Police Department Responsible?

• Reckless Conduct – If officers continue a pursuit despite clear risks, such as heavy traffic or a non-violent offense.
• Violation of Protocol – If officers ignore department policies, such as orders to stop the chase.
• Creation of a ‘Zone of Risk’ – If their pursuit significantly increases the danger to innocent drivers, motorcyclists, or pedestrians.

While the person being chased is not in a position to sue, innocent bystanders injured in the chaos may have a valid legal claim. Examples include:

• A motorist hit by a suspect fleeing police.
• A pedestrian injured in a collision caused by a high-speed chase.
• A motorcyclist caught in the aftermath of a police pursuit.

Police chases often result in severe injuries due to high speeds and reckless driving. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from head trauma in crashes.
• Spinal cord injuries that can cause paralysis or long-term disability.
• Broken bones and fractures due to the force of impact.
• Internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent but require urgent medical attention.
• Fatalities—unfortunately, some victims do not survive these violent accidents.

If you or a loved one has sustained any of these injuries in a police chase accident, it is critical to seek medical attention immediately and consult with a car chase injury lawyer in Florida to understand your legal options.

Filing a claim after being injured in a police pursuit requires several steps:

1. Gather Evidence – Collect accident reports, witness statements, and any available dashcam or surveillance footage.
2. Seek Medical Treatment – Even if injuries seem minor, getting a medical evaluation is essential for your health and legal case.
3. Determine Liability – Identify whether the pursuing officers, the suspect, or both were responsible for the crash.
4. File an Insurance Claim – Depending on the situation, you may need to file claims against multiple parties, including the suspect’s insurer and potentially the police department.
5. Consult a Tampa police chase injury lawyer – A car chase injury lawyer with experience in police chase injury cases can help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a police chase accident, you don’t have to face the legal system alone. These cases are complex, but with the right legal representation, you may be able to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact a Florida police chase injury lawyer to explore your legal options today.

The case of City of Pinellas Park v. Brown was a pivotal decision in Florida law regarding police liability in high-speed chases. It established that law enforcement officers could be held responsible when their actions during a pursuit were so reckless that they created unnecessary danger to the public.

What Happened in the City of Pinellas Park v. Brown Case

In this case, officers engaged in a high-speed chase that reached speeds between 80 and 120 miles per hour along U.S. 19. The chase began over a minor traffic offense, a driver who ran a stop sign. During the pursuit, multiple officers ignored commands to terminate the chase and continued through red lights and intersections at extremely high speeds. Tragically, the chase ended in a crash that caused serious injuries to innocent bystanders.

The Florida Supreme Court found that the officers’ conduct created a “zone of risk” to the public. Because their pursuit violated both departmental policy and basic safety standards, the Court recognized a legal duty for law enforcement to protect the public during pursuits. This duty meant that police departments could be held liable if their officers acted recklessly and caused injuries to others during a chase.

How the Law Changed After Pinellas Park v. Brown

Following this case, the Florida Legislature amended the state’s sovereign immunity law, specifically Florida Statute 768.28, to limit when police departments can be sued for chase-related injuries. The statute now grants officers and their agencies’ immunity from liability in most police pursuit cases, unless three specific conditions are met.

For an injured party to successfully claim damages, they must show that the officers failed at least one of these key points:

1. Reckless Conduct – The pursuit was conducted in a way that showed a reckless disregard for human life, safety, or property.
2. Forcible Felony Requirement – The officer did not reasonably believe that the suspect had committed a forcible felony (for example, robbery, carjacking, or aggravated assault).
3. Violation of Pursuit Policy – The officer failed to follow the written high-speed pursuit policy of the agency.

If all three conditions are satisfied, meaning the officer acted responsibly, believed the suspect had committed a forcible felony, and followed agency policy, the department is immune from lawsuits. However, if any one of these standards is not met, the agency can still be held liable.

Why Pinellas Park v. Brown Still Matters Today

Even though the law has evolved, Pinellas Park v. Brown remains a crucial case because it laid the foundation for recognizing a duty of care owed to the public during police pursuits. The case demonstrated how a high-speed chase can quickly turn deadly when officers ignore safety guidelines or pursue suspects for minor offenses.

Under the current law, plaintiffs face a tougher path to recovery, but cases involving reckless behavior, policy violations, or non-felony chases can still result in liability for police departments. For example, when officers engage in unnecessarily dangerous pursuits that endanger bystanders, courts may still find that their actions go beyond what is protected by sovereign immunity.

What This Means for Injury Victims in Tampa Bay

If you were injured during a police chase, it is important to understand how these laws apply to your situation. The Pinellas Park v. Brown decision and the later updates to Florida’s sovereign immunity statute work together to determine whether you have a case.

An experienced Tampa police chase injury lawyer can review the facts of your accident to determine whether the pursuing officers acted recklessly, violated departmental policy, or lacked a valid reason to chase the suspect. In these situations, you may still be able to hold the police department accountable for your injuries and recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.