When police officers are involved in car accidents, the public often expects accountability and transparency. But what happens when the officer not only causes a crash—but also flees the scene? Sadly, this scenario is not just hypothetical. Families across California have faced heartbreaking losses, and many are left asking the same question: what are my legal rights when law enforcement is at fault?
Suing a Government Entity in California
If a crash involves a police officer or other city employee, the claim isn’t handled like a typical personal injury lawsuit. Instead, it falls under the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA), which has very specific rules and strict deadlines.
- Shorter deadline – Victims usually have just six months to file a government claim, compared to two years in most personal injury cases.
- Government immunity defenses – Cities may argue the officer was acting within the scope of duty, which can complicate liability.
- Bureaucratic processes – Filing involves multiple layers of forms, reviews, and potential denials before you even reach civil court.
Despite these hurdles, government agencies are not above the law. If an officer’s negligence—or misconduct—caused harm, victims and families have the right to pursue justice.
What If the Officer Left the Scene?
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime for any driver, but when a police officer does it, the stakes are even higher. In civil court, this behavior can open the door to additional claims such as:
- Gross negligence
- Violation of public trust
- Evidence tampering or destruction
These claims can strengthen a case and potentially lead to higher compensation, especially if a cover-up is suspected.
Preserving Evidence in Police-Involved Accidents
Time is critical in cases involving law enforcement. Evidence can disappear quickly, so immediate action matters. Victims or their families should consider:
- Requesting body cam and dash cam footage early (agencies often delete within 30–90 days).
- Filing a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request to obtain relevant records.
- Sending a preservation of evidence letter to ensure crash reports, logs, and video aren’t destroyed.
- Working with an experienced attorney who knows how to navigate government claims.
What If the City Denies Your Claim?
It’s common for government agencies to deny liability at first. But that doesn’t mean the fight is over. An attorney can escalate the matter by filing a civil lawsuit. In cases involving fleeing officers or misconduct, public scrutiny, independent investigations, and crash reconstructions often play a role in uncovering the truth.
Holding Law Enforcement Accountable
Cases like these are about more than compensation—they’re about trust. When an officer walks away from a crash they caused, it shakes confidence in the very system meant to protect the public. Families deserve both answers and accountability.
How Fund Capital America Helps
Pursuing a case against a government entity is never easy, and it can take months—or even years—before compensation is awarded. In the meantime, victims often face medical bills, lost income, and emotional stress.
At Fund Capital America, we provide non-recourse legal funding to help accident victims and families cover urgent expenses while their case is pending. You only repay if your case is successful.
What You Should Know
When the very individuals entrusted to protect the public cause harm—and then try to walk away—the impact goes far beyond the crash itself. Victims and families are left to cope with devastating losses while navigating a legal system designed to protect government interests. But the law makes one thing clear: no one is above accountability, not even law enforcement.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a police officer, you may have the right to pursue justice and compensation. Acting quickly is critical to preserve evidence, meeting strict filing deadlines, and ensure your voice is heard.
Who is Fund Capital America?
Since 2006, Fund Capital America (FCA) has been a trusted leader in pre-settlement funding, providing cash advance loans to plaintiffs in personal injury and accident cases. Over the years, FCA has proudly served thousands of law firms and tens of thousands of clients, helping them navigate the financial challenges of litigation. While our core service is pre-settlement funding, we also offer a comprehensive range of services to support law firms and their clients from the beginning of the case to the final settlement check distribution.
Who is Fund Capital America?
Since 2006, Fund Capital America (FCA) has been a trusted leader in pre-settlement funding, providing cash advance loans to plaintiffs in personal injury and accident cases. Over the years, FCA has proudly served thousands of law firms and tens of thousands of clients, helping them navigate the financial challenges of litigation. While our core service is pre-settlement funding, we also offer a comprehensive range of services to support law firms and their clients from the beginning of the case to the final settlement check distribution.
Fund Capital America’s Services
In addition to pre-settlement funding, FCA provides a broad array of services designed to alleviate the financial and administrative burdens on injury victims, law firms, and medical professionals. Our services include:
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