Updated on: 1/22/2019
A bicyclist was hospitalized Monday morning after being struck by a police vehicle that was responding to a call, according to the Vancouver Police Department.
The incident occurred around 5:15 a.m. in the area of Grand Boulevard and East Evergreen Boulevard in Vancouver.
A police officer was responding to a call when the bicyclist, a 64-year-old man, was struck by the police vehicle. The man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Vancouver PD is looking into what happened. Police shut down the Evergreen and Grand intersection to investigate.
The police vehicle was responding to a call about a vehicle submerged in the Columbia River near Marine Park. The car was pulled from the water. The car’s occupant was on land and was cited for minor intoxicated in a public place.
Location of the Crash
Accidents Involving Police Vehicles in Washington
Bicycle accidents with police vehicles or police officers are not like other car accidents. The police officer is generally covered by the city’s insurance policy — not a typical insurance policy that any private motorist might carry.
The claims process in these cases is also different, and the police department and city may take longer to review your claim.
With all that being said, it should make sense that accident victims need someone on their side fighting for them. By hiring a lawyer, victims can keep the pressure on the police to make sure the the victim is properly compensated for their injuries in a reasonable time.
You may be wondering if the officer is exempt from certain traffic laws while behind the wheel of a police vehicle. The officer must be responding to an emergency, which generally includes:
- Responding to an emergency call
- Involved in a rescue operation
- In the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected law violator
- Responding to a fire alarm
- Operating a fire department vehicle while traveling from one place to another because of an emergency call
If the officer is driving back from a call or is on their own time, there is no emergency.
Washington State Accident Attorneys
Because of the complex nature of crashes involving police vehicles, it is important that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney to find all applicable insurance coverage and have an advocate on your side to fight for your right to compensation for your injuries.
For questions about injury accidents involving a police car in Washington state or to discuss your case confidentially with one of our skilled Washington state personal injury attorneys, please contact us at Davis Law Group, P.S., today. We handle a wide range of personal injury and wrongful death cases, including auto accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
Attorney Chris Davis would be glad to answer your questions. Call today at (206) 727-4000, use the chat feature below or fill out the form on this page to get started
