Can I Sue the NYPD for a Police Chase Accident in NYC?
Police chases in New York City are intended to protect public safety. When a pursuit escalates into a serious crash, innocent people often suffer devastating injuries. If you or someone you love was hurt or killed during an NYPD police chase, you may be facing medical bills, time out of work, and lasting trauma.
You may also be asking: Can I sue the NYPD for a police chase accident in NYC?
Sometimes, yes. These cases are legally complex, aggressively defended, and subject to strict deadlines that can expire quickly.
Don’t Be a Victim Twice. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free, confidential consultation.
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NYC Police Chase Accidents: What They Are and Who Gets Hurt
A police chase accident occurs when an NYPD vehicle is pursuing a suspect, and the pursuit results in a collision, property damage, or injuries. Victims are often people who had nothing to do with the alleged crime, including:
- Drivers and passengers in other vehicles
- Pedestrians and cyclists
- People in the pursued vehicle
- People near parked cars, buildings, or public property were struck during the crash
Because pursuits often involve high speeds and sudden maneuvers on crowded streets, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic or fatal.
If you were injured in a police chase crash in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP today.
Why NYPD Police Chases Are So Dangerous in New York City
New York City streets are dense and fast-moving, with constant pedestrian traffic, bike lanes, buses, and tight intersections. During a pursuit, even one poor decision can trigger a chain reaction.
Common dangers in NYC police chase crashes include:
- Wrong-way driving on one-way streets
- Running red lights and stop signs
- High-speed weaving through traffic
- Sudden turns and lane changes at intersections
- Multi-vehicle crashes and pileups
- Pedestrian and cyclist impacts
- Secondary crashes from debris or evasive driving
Many victims suffer life-changing injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal injuries, and PTSD.
Can You Sue the NYPD or the City of New York After a Police Chase?
Yes, in some cases. The City of New York and NYPD officers have legal protections that do not apply to ordinary drivers. However, those protections are limited. The City may be held accountable when officers act in ways the law does not protect, such as:
- Violating NYPD pursuit policies
- Acting with reckless disregard for public safety
- Starting or continuing a pursuit when it is clearly unsafe
- Failing to terminate a pursuit after supervisory direction
- Escalating risk in crowded areas with high pedestrian activity
These cases require careful investigation. The City often argues that officers followed policy and made reasonable decisions. A strong legal team must secure the evidence and challenge improper defenses.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to speak with a New York City police chase accident lawyer.
NYPD Patrol Guide Pursuit Rules and Why They Matter
NYPD pursuits are governed by internal rules in the NYPD Patrol Guide, including Patrol Guide Procedure 221-15. Pursuit rules exist to protect the public. Investigations often focus on whether officers followed requirements such as:
- Limiting pursuits to appropriate offenses
- Considering traffic conditions, pedestrian density, weather, and time of day
- Maintaining clear radio communications
- Using active supervisory oversight
- Terminating the pursuit when risk outweighs the need for immediate apprehension
When officers depart from these requirements, it can support a claim that the pursuit was mishandled and that the City should share responsibility for resulting injuries.
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1104 and Police Chase Liability
Police vehicles and other authorized emergency vehicles may have limited privileges under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1104, including the ability to proceed through red lights or exceed speed limits in certain situations.
Those privileges are not unlimited. Officers still have a duty to avoid unnecessarily endangering the public. In many NYPD chase accident cases, the dispute centers on whether officers acted reasonably under the circumstances or crossed the line into conduct not legally protected.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Police Chase Accident in NYC?
Liability often involves more than one party. A thorough investigation can identify every available source of compensation.
The fleeing suspect
A fleeing driver who speeds, drives impaired, ignores traffic controls, or forces others into collisions may be liable, even if not convicted of the underlying offense.
The City of New York and the NYPD
If officers violated pursuit rules, continued a pursuit that should have been terminated, or acted with reckless disregard for public safety, the City may share liability.
Other possible sources of compensation
Depending on the facts, additional liability and coverage may include:
- Supervisory failures
- Negligent training or enforcement of unsafe practices
- Equipment failures
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP pursues every available source of recovery.
Common Injuries From NYPD Police Chase Accidents
Police chase crashes are often high-impact events. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries, back injuries, and herniated discs
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Broken bones and complex fractures
- Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
- Burns, lacerations, and crush injuries
- Psychological trauma, anxiety, and PTSD
We work with medical providers and experts to document current injuries and future medical needs.
Compensation Available After a Police Chase Crash in New York City
If you were injured in an NYPD police chase crash, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency care, hospital bills, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and future medical treatment
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful death compensation
If a loved one was killed in a police chase crash, surviving family members may pursue damages related to funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of services and companionship.
Deadlines for Suing the City of New York After a Police Chase Accident
Claims against the City of New York are subject to strict deadlines. Missing them can permanently bar your case.
- Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident
- A lawsuit against the City must generally be filed within one year and 90 days
Evidence can also disappear quickly, including surveillance footage, dispatch records, and vehicle data.
If your crash happened recently, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) immediately to protect your rights.
What to Do After a Police Chase Accident in NYC
If you are able, take these steps:
- Get medical attention right away
- Make sure the crash is officially reported
- Take photos and video of the scene, vehicles, and injuries
- Get witness names and contact information
- Do not give recorded statements to insurers or investigators without counsel
- Contact an NYC police chase accident attorney as soon as possible
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP for an NYPD Police Chase Accident Case?
Police chase accident cases in New York City are not ordinary car accident claims. They require knowledge of municipal liability, NYPD pursuit procedures, and the defenses the City often raises.
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP offers:
- A local Harlem office for convenience and trust
- Seven convenient locations throughout New York: Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County
- No fee unless we win, our Fee Guarantee
- Bilingual services available
- Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials
- We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
- Top-rated, award-winning lawyers, including recognition such as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers
Don’t Be a Victim Twice. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Suing the NYPD for a Police Chase Accident in NYC
Can an innocent bystander sue after a police chase crash in New York City?
Yes. Pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, and unrelated drivers may have valid claims if they were injured during a pursuit.
Are NYPD officers immune from lawsuits?
Not always. Legal protections exist, but they do not shield reckless or otherwise unlawful conduct.
What if the fleeing suspect caused the crash?
You may still have a claim against the suspect, the City, or both. Liability depends on how the crash happened and whether police conduct contributed to the danger.
What if the suspect is not caught?
Your claim may still proceed depending on the available evidence and other sources of recovery, including insurance coverage.
How long do I have to sue the City of New York?
In most cases, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days, and a lawsuit must generally be filed within one year and 90 days.
Are police allowed to run red lights or speed during a chase?
Sometimes, but only under limited conditions. Officers must still act with reasonable care for public safety and avoid unnecessarily dangerous conduct.
Can I sue if the officer was not actively chasing a suspect?
Yes. If the officer was not in pursuit or responding to an emergency, normal traffic rules may apply, and standard negligence principles may control.
What if the NYPD says they disengaged from the pursuit?
A claimed disengagement does not automatically end the inquiry. The complete timeline must be investigated, including whether earlier actions created or escalated risk.
What damages can I recover?
Depending on the case, damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and wrongful death damages.
How much does it cost to hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency. No recovery, no fee.
How long will an NYPD police chase accident case take?
Each case is different. Early legal action often improves outcomes by preserving evidence and building leverage in negotiations.
Speak With a New York City Police Chase Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured or lost a loved one in an NYPD police chase accident in New York City, you deserve answers and a legal team that can stand up to powerful defendants.
Don’t Be a Victim Twice. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) now for a free, confidential consultation.
The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay us unless we are successful. That is our Fee Guarantee.