Police officers are expected to drive safely and obey the same traffic rules as anyone else, unless they are in active pursuit of a suspected criminal or on some other emergency errand. If you have been unfortunate enough to have been hit by an Indianapolis police car, or any other police car, and believe that the accident could have been avoided, you may be able to claim compensation from the city. Compensation can help to pay for the damage done to your car and pay bills for medical treatment. You may need the services of a personal injury lawyer for maximum effect through what can be a lengthy and complicated compensation claim process.
How to File a Claim for an Accident With aPolice Car
A police department is a city governmental agency, therefore you will need to address your claim directly to them. Include as many details that are relevant to the accident as possible. Things like:
- Location of the accident;
- Date and time the accident took place;
- Reason for alleging the accident was the fault of the driver of the police car.
There is a stricter time limit on claims made against any Indiana government entity, so it is best to get your initial ‘notice of claim’ submitted as early as possible, certainly within the Indiana municipal government time limit of 180 days from the date of the accident.
The police department should provide a timely response which will either be a payment of compensation of the case is straightforward or a rejection of your claim.
Following a rejection, you have the right to pursue legal action against the police department through the civil court via a personal injury claim. This isn’t easy, but is still quite possible. You may need the help of a personal injury lawyer before you file your claim.
How to Prove that a City Police Car Was at Fault
It is important to gather as much evidence as you can about the accident. You won’t get any compensation if your evidence is not sound enough. Useful sorts of evidence include:
- Photographic evidence taken at the crash scene;
- Reports or statements made by anyone who saw the accident happen;
- Video footage if available taken by a nearby security camera;
- Damage report by a qualified mechanic;
- Statements made by the occupants of the car.
Get Help When Filing a Claim Against the City
Pursuing a claim through the legal system when you are making a claim against a government department isn’t easy. To save you a lot of trouble, you should hire a personal injury lawyer to help you navigate the claim process.
Additional Resources
- Indiana Car Accident Lawyer
- Preserving Evidence for a Personal injury Claim
- Have Your Case Evaluated
Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against the City of Indianapolis, the state Government of Indiana, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
