LAPD Crash Payouts Are Soaring: What It Means If You’re Hit by a Police Car

A stunning new report from the Los Angeles Times has pulled back the curtain on a dangerous and costly problem: traffic collisions caused by LAPD officers are on the rise, leading to devastating injuries and forcing the city to pay out massive sums in legal settlements. For Angelenos, the report confirms what many have long suspected—that the very people sworn to protect us can sometimes pose a significant threat on our roads.

The October 12, 2025, article reveals that Los Angeles has paid over $90 million in the last decade to resolve lawsuits from police-involved crashes. This includes a recent, record-breaking $18 million settlement for two elderly brothers who were severely injured when a speeding LAPD officer, who allegedly failed to activate his lights and siren, slammed into their car in the San Fernando Valley. With law enforcement vehicles involved in roughly 500 collisions each year in Los Angeles, and officers found at least partly at fault nearly half the time, the risk to innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians is undeniable.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a police vehicle, this news is more than just a headline—it is a validation of your experience and a sign that you have the right to seek justice. At Walch Law, we have seen the tragic consequences of these crashes for over 45 years. This guide explains what the LA Times report means for your legal rights and the critical steps you must take to protect your claim.

Key Takeaways from the LA Times Investigation

The report paints a troubling picture of systemic issues within the LAPD that contribute to dangerous driving and massive taxpayer costs.

• Record-Breaking Payouts: The recent $18 million settlement for the Paper brothers is believed to be the largest in city history for a police collision case.
• Skyrocketing Costs: The city has spent at least $90 million over the past decade on more than 1,200 lawsuits related to dangerous police driving.
• Alarming Frequency: Law enforcement vehicles are involved in over 500 collisions annually across the city, with LAPD officers found at least partly at fault in 44% of incidents so far this year.
• Deadly Consequences: The report highlights several recent fatal crashes, including one where an officer was allegedly racing to a non-emergency youth football event and another where an officer fatally struck a young filmmaker.
• Policy Violations: A recurring theme is officers failing to follow safety protocols. In the $18 million case, the officer was allegedly traveling nearly double the speed limit without activating his emergency lights or siren (“Code 3”), violating a key condition for emergency vehicle privileges.

Police Are Not Above the Law: Understanding Liability

While we give police certain privileges to respond to emergencies, they do not have a free pass to drive recklessly. California law sets clear boundaries.

• Emergency Vehicle Rules (CVC §§ 21055–21056): Officers can legally speed or run red lights only if they have their emergency lights and siren activated. Even then, they must drive with “due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.” An officer who fails to use their siren or who enters an intersection without ensuring it is clear can be found negligent.
• Police Pursuit Policies: When police chase a suspect, they are governed by strict internal policies and state law. If an officer initiates or continues a pursuit with a reckless disregard for public safety, the department can be held liable for injuries to innocent bystanders—even if the bystander is hit by the fleeing suspect.
• Routine Driving Negligence: When not responding to an emergency, officers are held to the same standard of care as any other driver. A rear-end collision, an unsafe lane change, or a distracted driving crash is judged just like any other traffic accident.

The Government Claims Act: A Critical 6-Month Deadline

You cannot immediately sue a police department. Before filing a lawsuit against a public entity like the City of Los Angeles, you must first file a formal “Government Claim.”

• The Deadline: You have only six months from the date of your injury to file this claim. This is a strict, unforgiving deadline. If you miss it, you will likely lose your right to any compensation absent a late claim application which are very hard to get.
• The Response: The government agency has 45 days to respond.
• Filing a Lawsuit: If your claim is rejected (which is common), you then have six months from the date of rejection to file a formal lawsuit in court.

This process is a legal minefield. A single mistake on the claim form can be fatal to your case. It is essential to have an experienced attorney handle this process for you.

What to Do After a Crash with a Police Vehicle

1. Seek Immediate Medical Care: Your health is the top priority. Go to the hospital to get your injuries evaluated and create a crucial medical record.
2. Get an Incident Number: Ensure a traffic collision report is created. Get the report number and the officer’s name and badge number.
3. Document the Scene: If you can, take photos and videos of the vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, and your injuries.
4. Identify Witnesses: Get the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash. Ask them specifically if they heard a siren before the collision.
5. Preserve Video Evidence: Save any dashcam footage you have. An attorney can send preservation letters to nearby businesses and file Public Records Act (CPRA) requests for any available body-cam, in-car, or traffic camera footage.
6. Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement: You will be contacted by the police department’s internal affairs division or a city claims adjuster. Do not give them a recorded statement without your lawyer present. Their job is to protect the city, not you.
7. Contact the best LAPD car accident Attorney Immediately: Because of the short 6-month deadline, you must act fast.

Damages You Can Recover

If you were injured due to an officer’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical Bills: All costs for ER visits, surgery, hospitalization, and future medical care.
• Lost Wages: Income you lost while unable to work and loss of future earning capacity.
• Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for your physical pain, emotional distress, and trauma.
• Wrongful Death: If you lost a loved one, your family can file a claim for funeral expenses and loss of financial support and companionship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can police legally run red lights?
Only under specific conditions. When responding to an emergency with lights and a siren active, they can proceed through a red light, but they must do so with “due regard” for public safety, which includes slowing down to ensure the intersection is clear.

2. What if the officer didn’t have their lights or siren on?
If an officer is speeding or breaking traffic laws without their lights and siren activated, they generally lose their special legal privileges and are held to the same standard as any other driver.

3. What if I was hit by the car the police were chasing?
You may have a claim against both the fleeing driver and the police department. A claim against the department would depend on whether the officers followed their pursuit policy and did not act with a reckless disregard for public safety.

4. Do I have to talk to the police department’s internal affairs investigator?
No, you are not required to give them a statement. You should not speak with them without your attorney present.

5. How long do I have to file my claim?
You have only six months from the date of the accident to file a formal Government Claim against the police department or city. This is the most critical deadline in your case.

6. Can undocumented immigrants file a claim if injured by a police car?
Yes. Your immigration status has no bearing on your right to file a claim and seek compensation for your injuries in California.

Injured by a Police Vehicle? Walch Law Can Help.

The LA Times report confirms that accidents caused by police are a serious problem, and holding the city accountable is a complex process. Taking on a police department is intimidating, but you do not have to do it alone. The experienced attorneys at Walch Law understand the special rules and tight deadlines involved in these cases. We will handle the entire legal process so you can focus on your recovery.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless and until we win your case. 1-844-999-5342