A police chase involving two deputies responding to a traffic pursuit on Monday, January 13, 2025, resulted in both deputies, and one female driver being sent to the hospital, after the patrol car collided with another car in downtown Syracuse.
Sheriff’s office spokesperson Thomas Newton, details that at 2:05 pm, a patrol car with two Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputies crashed into another car while en route to assist in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The deputies and the female driver were taken to St. Joseph’s, Crouse, and Upstate University Hospital for evaluations.
According to dispatches from the Onondaga County 911, the fleeing suspects got onto Interstate 81 and later exited the South Side, before fleeing on foot. Three people reportedly exited the stolen vehicle, and one of them was taken into custody.
Seriously Injured In A Car Accident In Syracuse?
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Police Chase Accidents
Police pursuits are more common than many realize, with New York State reporting approximately 400 chase-related accidents annually. These high-speed pursuits pose significant risks to officers, suspects, and innocent bystanders alike. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 30% of police pursuits result in crashes, with one in three of these accidents involving innocent third parties.
The dangers of police chases are particularly acute in urban areas like Syracuse, where dense traffic and pedestrian presence increase risk factors. These pursuits can result in severe injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Multiple fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Severe lacerations and contusions
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Fatal injuries
Can You Recover Compensation if You Were Hit by a Police Vehicle?
Yes, you can pursue compensation if you've been injured in an accident involving a police vehicle. However, New York law requires filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident when pursuing a claim against a municipality or police department. This notice must include specific details about the incident, injuries sustained, and the basis for holding the municipality liable.
It's important to note that when police are engaged in emergency operations, there's a higher standard of proof required. Rather than simply proving negligence, you must demonstrate "reckless disregard for the safety of others" - a more challenging legal threshold to meet.
In New York State, car accident victims must also meet the "serious injury threshold" to recover compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. This requires proving that injuries meet specific criteria defined by Insurance Law §5102(d), such as fractures, significant disfigurement, or permanent limitation of use of a body organ or member.
Given these complexities, it's crucial to work with experienced personal injury attorneys who understand the nuances of municipal liability and New York's car accident laws. The Porter Law Group has successfully represented numerous clients in complex vehicle collision cases. Contact us for a free case evaluation and review our proven track record of successful results in Syracuse.
Injured in a Car Accident in New York?
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Why Choose the Porter Law Group?
The lawyers at the Porter Law Group have decades of experience representing individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by catastrophic injuries. We have obtained some of the largest settlements and verdicts in courts throughout the State of New York. We are a state-wide firm that handles cases with a hometown feel.
Our clients come to us looking for guidance and answers. With seasoned trial lawyers, the Porter Law Group has the resources necessary to help you navigate the most complex cases, against goliath insurance companies that will stop at nothing to prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve.
You only get one chance to hire the best lawyer for you and your family. Hire the lawyers most recommended by former clients and local attorneys, and the firm that obtains superior results.
When you or a loved one’s life has been devastated by a serious personal injury in Syracuse, don’t hire a lawyer without calling the Porter Law Group to learn why so many of our clients are thankful they trusted us with their case in their time of need.
Contact Car Accident Lawyers in Syracuse
If you or a loved one was involved in a police chase accident, or any car accident in Syracuse, and suffered serious injury as a result, reach out to the Porter Law Group at 833-PORTER9 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will fight to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Don’t let the statute of limitations run out on your claims, contact us today and know your legal options.