Being hit by a driver running from the police can change your life in seconds. These crashes often happen at high speed, cause serious injuries and psychological effects. This article will explain what to do next, who may be responsible, how Texas law handles these cases, and how a lawyer can help.
The Risks of Police Chases in Lubbock and Beyond
Police chases are dangerous and hard to predict. Even if you’re not involved in the chase, you can still get hurt. While Lubbock doesn’t publish full reports on bystander injuries, data from the city and across the U.S. show how serious the risks are.
In the 2024 annual report, the Lubbock Police Department (LPD) reported a drop in traffic deaths—from 35 in 2023 to 29 in 2024, a 17% decrease. Officers made over 69,000 traffic stops to help make roads safer. But chases are different from regular traffic stops and come with more danger.
LPD has strict rules about when officers can chase a suspect. They must consider how dangerous the crime is and whether the chase puts others at risk. Police are only allowed to chase suspects for serious crimes like felonies or drunk driving—not for minor traffic violations.
This policy is meant to keep the public safer—but it can’t prevent all accidents.
State and National Numbers Show Even Bigger Risks
Across the U.S., more than one person dies every day from crashes during police chases, based on data from the Police Executive Research Forum. About 30% to 45% of all police chases end in a crash. And in many of those crashes, innocent people are the ones hurt or killed.
In Texas, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has come under fire for crashes tied to Operation Lone Star, a state border security program. A Human Rights Watch report says at least 106 people have died in police chases linked to this program since it began in 2021. Many of those killed were not involved in the chase at all.
These numbers make it clear: police chases can be deadly—even for people who did nothing wrong.
About 21% of people hurt or killed in police chases are innocent bystanders.
Who’s Responsible for the Crash?
In most accidents, the driver at fault pays for the damage. But when someone is running from police, things get more complicated. You may be able to seek compensation from the driver, your own insurance, or in rare cases, a government agency.
The Fleeing Driver’s Insurance
If the fleeing driver has insurance, it should cover your medical bills and other losses. But most people who run from police don’t have enough coverage—or any at all. This is when your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is critical.
The Police Department or Government Agency
This is where the legal battle becomes an uphill climb. A concept called sovereign immunity generally protects Texas governmental entities, like police departments. This doctrine protects the state and its political subdivisions from lawsuits unless the state has given its consent to be sued. The Texas Tort Claims Act carves out limited exceptions to this immunity, but they are often difficult to prove.
To successfully sue a police department, you have to prove the officer or department acted in a reckless way that put others in danger—and that this caused your injuries. This is very hard to prove in court. It’s not enough to say the chase was risky. You must show the officer was extremely careless in how they handled the situation.
Because running from police is a crime, you might qualify for help from the Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) program. This program can help pay for medical bills, counseling, or lost wages. It won’t replace insurance, but it can help cover extra costs.
The Aftermath of a Police Pursuit Accident
If you’ve been in a crash caused by a police chase, what you do next can make a big difference in getting the money you deserve.
- Get medical help right away: Even if you feel okay, get a medical evaluation. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, don’t show up right away. Keep all your records and medical bills.
- Take photos and gather proof: If it’s safe, take pictures and videos of the crash scene. Get shots of the damage, the cars, the road, and any police cars. Try to get names and contact info from any witnesses.
- Talk to the police—but be careful: Share what happened, but don’t guess or say anything you’re unsure about. Stick to the facts only.
- Call a lawyer: These cases can be tricky. A car accident lawyer knows how to deal with insurance, look into the police chase, and find out who is at fault. They can help you build the strongest case possible.
After a police chase crash, your next steps matter—getting medical care, collecting evidence, and calling a lawyer can protect your health, your rights, and your wallet.
Texas law has a special and detailed process for cases where a fleeing driver hits you. If you were hurt in a police chase crash, a skilled Lubbock car accident lawyer can help protect evidence, use your insurance, and hold all responsible parties accountable. Contact Liggett Law Group today for a free consultation to learn your options.