Law enforcement is supposed to protect the community and help to keep us safe. Yet, local police vehicles in Kansas City are involved in an alarming number of serious crashes. According to a report from NPR, the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) is incurring car wrecks that are costing local taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Here, our Kansas City car accident attorney provides a more comprehensive overview of the story.
Report: KCPD Vehicles Involved in an Alarming Number of Crashes
A KCUR investigation found that the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) accepts responsibility for approximately two vehicle crashes per month, resulting in over $1 million in legal settlements over a three-year period. Notably, these settlements mostly involved non-emergency driving crashes. In other words, most cases being settled by the KCPD are not related to officers responding to emergencies. There are no exceptional circumstances justifying risky behavior.
Despite the frequency of these accidents, officers are rarely cited. Further, any internal discipline is shielded from public view. Here is an example: In one 2022 case, Rosalind Taylor was driving through a green light when a KCPD SUV sped through a red light and struck her vehicle. Though the officer had lights and sirens on, investigators acknowledged he failed to fully clear the intersection. Ms. Taylor later received a settlement. The case highlights how distracted or aggressive driving by officers (typically outside of true emergency conditions) contributes to bad crashes.
Police Departments Can Be Held Civilly Liable for a Crash
Most people in the Kansas City metropolitan area have seen a police car or other emergency vehicle flying down the road in a risky manner. Outside of true emergency situations, that type of driving is not acceptable. Police departments can be held civilly liable when their officers cause crashes, including while they are on duty and even when emergency lights are flashing. As shown in Kansas City, taxpayers have funded over $1 million in settlements for police-involved collisions. Once again, many of which did not occur during true emergencies.
Civil liability can arise when officers fail to follow traffic laws or drive recklessly. Some examples include running red lights and proceeding without properly clearing intersections. That an officer’s lights were on is not an automatic defense against a civil car accident injury claim. Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. While officers may avoid citations or criminal charges, the department can still face civil consequences.
Note: Car accident injury claims against government vehicles (including police departments) are highly time-sensitive. There are even stricter deadlines to take legal action.
Call Our Kansas City Auto Accident Lawyer Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City motor vehicle accident attorney has the knowledge, skills, and experience that you can trust. If you were hurt in a crash with a police car, we are here to help. Call us now or contact us online for a free, no-obligation initial case review. With an office in Kansas City, our firm handles government vehicle-involved car accident cases in Missouri and Kansas.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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