A dangerous police pursuit caused a Los Angeles car accident injuring five people seriously, Fox News reports. Los Angeles police officials started pursuing a driver who ran a red light and was apparently in a stolen car the night of October 18, 2009. The driver refused to stop and fled, blowing through several red lights. He finally crashed the sedan into a Ford Explorer SUV at the intersection of East 43rd and San Pedro streets. Five people sustained major injuries and were taken away to an area hospital. The driver of the stolen sedan and another person suffered minor injuries. The driver was arrested at the scene.
I sympathize with the seriously injured victims of this car accident. They were innocent bystanders who had nothing to do with the pursuit. However, as pursuits go, this is the inherent danger. It is a relief that no one was killed in this accident. I wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy recovery. These injured victims will be in my prayers.
Car Accidents in Los Angeles
Car accidents in the city of Los Angeles claimed 260 lives and injured 27,110 in 2007, according to the California Highway Patrol's statistics. In Los Angeles County, 712 died and 56,475 were injured as a result of car accidents during that same period.
In any car accident case that involves an innocent bystander being hurt during a police chase, the question is always this: Was the dangerous police chase warranted? In some cases police are chasing dangerous criminals. If they get away, the public could be in danger, more lives could be lost. However, this case involved a stolen vehicle and running a red light. While both are serious crimes, did it warrant a police chase that put the lives of so many others in grave jeopardy?
Police Pursuit Liability Issues
California law provides immunity to police departments that have adopted a "vehicle pursuit policy." This is a written policy, which states that the department has rules and regulations when it comes to police pursuits and trains their officers periodically on these matters. Such police departments are immune from liability for civil damages for personal injuries or death resulting from the pursuit to the suspect or to an innocent bystander. This law most likely protects the Los Angeles Police Department from liability. Unfortunately, victims who are injured or families whose loved ones are killed in such crashes are left high and dry.
Victims of this crash would be well-advised to consult an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney who can help protect their legal rights and look into whether they can seek compensation for their injuries and loss. Any claim against a governmental agency must be filed properly within 180 days of an accident or injury.
We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
