Can You File an Insurance Claim Against a Police Department After a Crash?
Insights from a Miami Car Accident Lawyer
HIALEAH, FLA. – Early Friday morning, a serious crash involving a Hialeah police cruiser and a civilian vehicle sent both drivers to the hospital and left behind a trail of damage. According to reports, the black Cadillac SUV failed to stop at a stop sign at East 18th Street and East Fourth Avenue and slammed into the officer’s cruiser.
The impact was severe:
- The police cruiser crashed into a nearby school fence and was deemed a total loss.
- The SUV hit a light pole, which collapsed across the roadway.
- Both the officer and the civilian driver were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital with injuries.
As the investigation continues, many are left wondering—can you file an insurance claim against the police department if you’re injured in a crash like this?
Your Right to Compensation After a Crash Involving Law Enforcement
At The Perazzo Law Firm, our Miami Car Accident Lawyers understand how complicated it can be to deal with crashes involving police or other government vehicles. Unlike standard claims against private individuals, cases involving police departments may fall under sovereign immunity laws, which limit when and how a government entity can be held financially responsible.
However, under Florida Statutes § 768.28, you can file a claim against a city, county, or state agency, including a police department, if:
- A government employee (like a police officer) caused the accident through negligence
- The officer was acting within the scope of their duties
- You suffered injuries or damages as a result
What You Need to Know If You’ve Been Hurt in a Crash With a Police Vehicle
- There are strict notice and filing deadlines (usually within 3 years for personal injury claims against a municipality in Florida).
- You must file a formal notice of claim before filing a lawsuit.
- If the officer was responding to an emergency with lights and sirens, different rules may apply, and proving negligence becomes more complex.
- Damages may be capped at $200,000 per person or $300,000 per incident, unless a claims bill is passed by the Florida Legislature.
Why Time Matters after an Accident
As in the Hialeah case, the details of who was at fault and whether emergency response protocols were being followed will play a major role. Even if you believe the officer was not at fault, your insurance or the city’s insurance may still owe compensation for medical expenses, property damage, or lost income.
That’s why it’s critical to act fast.
Contact a Miami Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one was involved in an accident with a police vehicle, whether in Hialeah, Miami, or anywhere in South Florida, you need an experienced legal team who understands both personal injury law and government liability procedures.
📞 Call The Perazzo Law Firm now at 888-PERAZZO
📍 We offer FREE consultations and ZERO out-of-pocket fees unless we win.
✅ Available 24/7 to help you file your claim and protect your rights.
Recent Accident News Involving Law Enforcement
OPA-LOCKA, Fla. — A routine Sunday afternoon near Opa-Locka Executive Airport was suddenly disrupted when a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy was injured in a crash involving an unmarked patrol vehicle, turning a familiar intersection into a scene of flashing lights and emergency response.
Investigators say the deputy was traveling in the unmarked cruiser when the collision occurred near LeJeune Road and Northwest 135th Street, an area heavily trafficked by commuters and airport-related traffic. The force of the crash was enough to send the deputy to a nearby hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities are still piecing together what led to the collision, reviewing roadway conditions, vehicle movement, and potential contributing factors. Like many crashes involving law enforcement vehicles, the incident serves as a reminder that even experienced drivers are not immune to sudden and serious roadway dangers.
