Top 3 Highest Police Car Accident Payouts in Los Angeles (And What They Teach Injured Victims)

When a police car, a vehicle we associate with safety and protection, causes a serious accident, the consequences can be devastating. For victims, the physical and emotional trauma is often compounded by a confusing legal process against a powerful government entity. While no amount of money can undo the harm, examining significant legal settlements can offer valuable lessons for those who have been injured.

Recent reporting has shown that payouts for accidents involving the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) have surged, reaching tens of millions of dollars annually. These large figures are not arbitrary; they are the result of specific facts, clear evidence of negligence, and catastrophic injuries. By looking at some of the largest police car accident payouts in Los Angeles, victims can better understand the factors that drive case value and the critical steps needed to protect their rights. If you have recently been hit by a police car, a paramedic or other government vehicle, call the team at Walch Law today. 1-844-999-5342

Case 1: The $18 Million Settlement for Two Brothers

In one of the largest known payouts for a police collision in Los Angeles history, the city agreed to pay $18 million to two brothers, Richard and Stephen Paper, who were severely injured in a crash.¹²

On June 4, 2024, the brothers, both in their 70s, were making a left turn in the San Fernando Valley when an LAPD squad car broadsided their vehicle. According to reports and dashcam footage, the officer, a member of a street racing task force, was traveling approximately 80 mph in a 40 mph zone without his emergency lights or siren activated.

Both brothers suffered catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and multiple severe fractures that required extensive hospitalization and ended one brother’s career as a tennis coach. The case went to trial, and after hearing the powerful evidence of the officer’s excessive speed and failure to follow protocol, the city agreed to the record-breaking settlement.

Case 2: The $15 Million Settlement for a Man in a Wheelchair

In 2024, the City of Los Angeles paid $15 million to Roger Hernandez, a man who was struck by an unmarked police vehicle while crossing a downtown street in his motorized wheelchair.³

According to the traffic crash report, Mr. Hernandez was in the crosswalk when he was hit by a vehicle driven by an LAPD detective. The report noted that the detective failed to yield and indicated “inattention” as a factor. Mr. Hernandez suffered severe, lasting injuries, including losing mobility in the hand he used to operate his wheelchair and perform all other daily tasks. The case was settled before trial, with the city paying the amount in two installments.

Case 3: Over $90 Million in a Decade Shows a Pattern

While not a single payout, a Los Angeles Times analysis revealed a staggering trend: the city paid out at least $90 million over the last decade for accidents caused by police officers.¹

This figure highlights that the multi-million-dollar settlements for the Paper brothers and Mr. Hernandez are not isolated incidents. The total payout amount has been rising in recent years, with the city paying over $32 million in just the 2023-2024 fiscal year alone for traffic-related claims. This shows that when negligence is clear and injuries are severe, juries and city officials recognize the immense value of these claims.

What Drives the Value of a Police Car Accident Case?

These large settlements are not random. They are driven by a specific set of factors that demonstrate the extent of the harm and the clarity of the officer’s fault.

• Severity and Permanence of Injuries: The most significant factor is the human cost. Cases involving traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, multiple surgeries, and lifelong disabilities will always command the highest values.
• Clarity of Liability: When evidence like dashcam video, “black box” data (EDR), or witness testimony clearly shows an officer was speeding without lights and sirens, running a red light without due regard, or was otherwise negligent, it makes the case much stronger.
• Policy Violations: Police departments have strict rules for vehicle pursuits and emergency driving. Proving an officer violated their own department’s policies is powerful evidence of negligence.
• Economic Damages: The total of all past and future medical bills, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity forms the financial foundation of the claim.
• Quality of Evidence: Clear video from body cams, dashcams, or nearby traffic cameras (like ATSAC) can be irrefutable proof that makes it difficult for the city to deny fault.

How Claims Against the LAPD and Other Agencies Work

You cannot simply sue the police. You must first follow the strict rules of the California Government Claims Act.

1. File a Government Claim: You must file a formal “Notice of Claim” with the correct government entity (e.g., the City of Los Angeles) within six months of the accident. This is a fatal deadline; if you miss it, you lose your right to sue forever.
2. Wait for Rejection: The government agency has 45 days to respond. They almost always reject the claim.
3. File a Lawsuit: Once your claim is rejected, you have six months from the date of the rejection to file a lawsuit in court. This six months is different than the typical two years you get for other personal injury cases.
4. Gather Evidence: From day one, your legal team must act fast to preserve evidence by sending legal demands and public records requests for body-cam and dashcam video, 911 and dispatch audio, EDR data, and more.

Practical Steps to Take After a Crash with Police

• Get Medical Care Immediately: Your health is the priority. This also creates a medical record of your injuries which is essential to a winning case.
• Get the Incident Number: Make sure a report is filed and get the report number and the officers’ names and badge numbers.
• Document Everything: If you can, take photos and videos of the scene, the vehicles, and any visible injuries. Get contact information for any witnesses.
• Do Not Give a Recorded Statement: Do not speak to any city investigators or adjusters without an attorney present. They are looking for information to use against you.
• Contact an Police Car Accident Attorney Quickly: The six-month deadline is absolute. An experienced lawyer can immediately file the necessary claim and begin preserving crucial evidence before it is lost or deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do police officers always need to use lights and a siren?
If they want to disregard traffic laws like speed limits or red lights, California law generally requires them to use both. Even then, they must drive with “due regard” for public safety.

2. Can I recover money if I was partially at fault?
Yes. California follows a “comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages, but your final award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

3. What if I was hit by an unmarked police car?
The same rules apply. If the officer was on duty, the claim is still against the government entity they work for.

4. Can I make a claim on my own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) policy?
Yes. If the city’s insurance or self-insured limit is not enough to cover your damages, you may be able to make a UIM claim with your own insurance company.

5. How long do these cases take?
Due to their complexity, cases against government entities often take one to three years, or sometimes longer, to resolve.

6. Do I have to pay upfront fees to hire a lawyer?
No. Reputable personal injury law firms, like Walch Law, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless and until we win a recovery for you.

Injured by a Police Vehicle? We Can Help.

The large settlements paid by the City of Los Angeles prove that victims of police negligence have the right to significant compensation for their suffering. But these results are only possible with swift action, thorough investigation, and experienced legal representation. The family at Walch Law has been holding government agencies accountable for over 45 years. If you or a loved one was injured in a crash with a police car, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Let us fight for the justice and recovery you deserve. 1-844-999-5342

Footnotes

1. Libor Jany and Vanessa Martínez, “When police are bad drivers: LAPD crashes kill — and payouts soar past $90 million,” Los Angeles Times, Oct. 12, 2025. ↩ ↩²
2. CBS News Los Angeles, “LA pays $18 million to brothers injured by speeding police vehicle,” CBS News, Sep. 2025. ↩
3. Jordan Rynning, “LA is on the hook for more than half a billion in liability payouts in just 2 years. 4 of the costliest cases,” LAist, Mar. 18, 2025. ↩