Police Pursuit in Manhattan Leads to Pedestrian Injury

Police pursuits are exciting fixtures in Hollywood movies. In the real world, however, these chases do not lead to happy endings – and they often end with catastrophic injuries. Manhattan is certainly no stranger to car chases, and these pursuits occur on a fairly regular basis through the downtown area. Recent incidents show that despite a police officer’s best intentions, initiating a chase can put numerous people directly in danger.

Police Pursuit in Manhattan Causes Fractured Arm and Leg 

On January 17th, it was reported that a police pursuit in Manhattan had led to serious injuries for an individual on foot. This individual was actually another police officer. The officers approached the vehicle – allegedly suspecting that the driver had committed some kind of robbery. However, the driver apparently hit the accelerator and struck one of the officers – causing a fractured arm and leg.

Police Pursuits Often Put the Public in Direct Danger 

In the previous case, it was a police officer who suffered injuries – but sometimes innocent bystanders are put in harm’s way. This was the case when police in upstate New York chased a man with a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old in his vehicle. After a chase that spanned several towns, the driver finally pulled over and exited. Police took him into custody, discovering a firearm, ammunition, and meth in the vehicle. It is not clear whether police knew that two minors were in the vehicle at the time of the chase. If they were aware of this fact, one has to wonder why they would choose to endanger two children in such a way.

Another notable recent case involved a Lamborghini police chase in Manhattan. The chase occurred in December of 2023, and it led to a fiery crash that claimed the life of one passenger. Police say that they chased the vehicle until it struck a Hyundai Elantra and slammed into a pillar. The sports car then erupted in flames. The resulting blaze killed a 21-year-old female passenger, although police were able to pull the suspect out of the car. Again, one has to wonder whether initiating the pursuit caused more harm than good.

Key Takeaways 

• Government agencies can be sued for injuring victims in New York
• New York Police must terminate pursuits when the public is at risk
• NYPD pursuits have increased in number during Mayor Adams’ administration
• “Collateral damage” is when military or police actions cause unintended injuries

Find a Qualified Injury Attorney in Manhattan 

If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced New York personal injury attorney, look no further than Cohan Law, PLLC. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs throughout New York – including those injured in car accidents. While police may claim to be protecting the public when they initiate pursuits, they must also avoid collateral damage at all costs. If you were injured as an innocent bystander in a police chase, you might have the ability to pursue compensation from the city. Book your consultation today to learn more.

Sources: 

cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nypd-officer-hit-by-car-fleeing-police-on-manhattans-upper-east-side/

nypost.com/2024/01/11/metro/lamborghini-driver-charged-in-wild-car-chase-fiery-nyc-crash-that-killed-passenger-cops/