I was taught that if you get in a car accident with a police officer, you are always at fault, even if it was really the officer's fault. Is this true? Please back up your answers with real experiences or documentation if possible. Thanks.
2007-11-02 08:26:24 · 26 answers · asked by ibleedindie 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
No it is not, there have been hundreds of documentated cases where the police officer has been held accountable. It is even easier these days since almost all police cars have cameras in them.
2007-11-02 08:29:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
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2016-06-10 14:38:10 · answer #2 · answered by Joseph 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No this is not true. The driver at fault is at fault even if it is a police officer. I am a police officer in Florida and have had to work and even issue a citation to another police officer who was involved in an accident that was his fault. A police officer is not immune from fault, usually he is held at a higher standard because of training and experience he should know better. As a matter of fact My departments policy is to issue the citation to the driver at fault police or not. Also I know FHP will issue a citation to a police officer at fault in a crash. The state law in Florida is very clear if the officer is driving code ( lights and siren to an emergency) he is entitled to the right of way but does not have it until it is given to him. So even one running code could be held liable for an accident if his driving caused it.
2007-11-02 12:40:21 · answer #3 · answered by alp807 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A police officer can be found at fault. In November of 2003, I was responding to a call with lights and no siren. A car pulled out in front of me, and I was issued a citation for the accident. Even when responding to an emergency, police must operate with due regard for safety. Here is the Wisconsin Statute I was cited under (and yes, I was found guilty and paid the ticket). The other person was issued a ticket also, but it was determined I was still at fault for not having my siren on.
346.03(5)
(5) The exemptions granted the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle by this section do not relieve such operator from the duty to drive or ride with due regard under the circumstances for the safety of all persons nor do they protect such operator from the consequences of his or her reckless disregard for the safety of others.
2007-11-02 09:29:57 · answer #4 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's not necessarily true. It really depends on the circumstances. Now, if the police car had its lights on and he hit you or you hit him, you're at fault. If you hit a police car (or any car, for that matter) you're at fault 99.9% of the time. But if the police officer was driving along and he hit you, he could be at fault as long as you weren't doing anything illegal. Police officers are not above the law -- they have to obey the rules of the road (unless they're chasing a motorist or are responding to a call) and they also have to abide by the same laws and rules of liability as other drivers.
2007-11-02 08:32:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That isn't true. They may decide to arrest you on suspition of driving without due care and attention. But then they would have to prove that you were driving at a standard which falls well below that of a normal motorist.
Plus what do you define as a car accident? If you were stationary and he rear-ended you it's definately not your fault. What if you were crossing the rad and he hit you?
So the short answer is no.
2007-11-02 08:31:37 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A friend of mine (police officer) stopped at a bank machine to take out some money. After getting back in his squad car he received a call over the radio to go somewhere. He hit the lights, took off without looking and hit another car that was going by him. This was his side of the story. The woman in the other car was charged for the accident. even he admits it was his fault.
2007-11-02 09:00:24 · answer #7 · answered by Rob M 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Hogwash.
A traffic accident has causes and effects.
The investigating officer will assign blame to the driver who is at fault, regardless whether the car has lights on top, or is an ice cream truck, or is a taxi, or whatever.
2007-11-02 08:30:21 · answer #8 · answered by Stuart 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Funny I saw this question. Several years ago, my father was in an accident with a police car. Dad was going through an intersection on a green light when he was hit by the police car coming across the intersection on a red light. The police car was going so fast that he spun my dad's car 360 degrees and continued through the intersection. The police car did not have lights or siren on, but the officer said he did (of course he's going to lie to cover his butt). He was part of a pursuit, but was about the 9th or 10th police car involved in the chase or something. I forget exactly what was going on.
Anyway, even if it was the police officer's fault, I'm sure he will say it was your fault. The law will most likely side with the police (since they are the police).
2007-11-02 08:32:17 · answer #9 · answered by Loves the Ponies 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Don't know where you are based, but in the UK and I would imagine most other sensible countries that is wrong. There have been many cases here where police officers have been involved in high speed pursuit and even the car theives they are following have died and the police have been found to be reckless.
2007-11-02 08:30:03 · answer #10 · answered by resolution 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋