Police chase accidents happen because a fleeing driver, and the officers following, move at high speed through intersections, signals and traffic that other people are not expecting.
When the control slips, anyone nearby can be pulled into the crash and come out badly injured.
Why Do Police Chases So Often End in Crashes?
A pursuit stacks several risks on top of each other: high speed, sudden lane changes, red lights run, and a driver focused on escaping instead of on traffic.
Speed alone makes a car harder to control and slower to stop. Other drivers and pedestrians may not see or hear the chase in time to get out of the way.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists the consequences of speeding, including these four. Each one grows when a chase pushes speeds well past the limit:
- Greater potential for loss of vehicle control
- Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment
- Longer stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger
- More severe crashes, leading to more severe injuries
Intersections are where these risks meet ordinary traffic. A driver with a green light has no reason to expect a car to come through the red at high speed.
Who Gets Hurt in Police Chase Accidents on U.S. Roads
The people hurt are not only the ones in the chase. Using NHTSA fatality data, the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that from 1996 to 2015, an average of 355 people were killed each year in pursuit-related crashes, about one per day.
The same 2017 report found that about a third of those killed were people in vehicles not involved in the pursuit or bystanders who were not in a vehicle. That means other drivers, their passengers and people walking nearby.
How Pursuit Policies Shape When Officers Give Chase
Many agencies put their pursuit rules in writing. BJS reported that as of January 2013, all state police and highway patrol agencies had a written vehicle pursuit policy.
Some of these policies are restrictive. BJS describes them as using specific criteria, such as the type of offense, speed and surrounding conditions, to define when a pursuit is allowed.
Policies differ from agency to agency and can change over time. The rules that applied to one chase may not match the rules in the next county.
Who May Be Responsible After a Pursuit Crash
Responsibility after a chase crash is rarely simple, and the answer depends on the facts and on state law. The fleeing driver’s choices are usually the starting point. Whether a public agency can share responsibility is a separate question, and states answer it differently.
Questions that tend to come up include:
- Did the fleeing driver have insurance, and does that policy apply?
- Does your own policy include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?
- Does your state have special notice rules or deadlines for claims involving a government agency?
The rules vary so much by state, so speaking with an attorney may help you understand your options. That is especially true when more than one agency responded.
Steps to Take After Being Hit During a Chase Across the U.S.
The first hours after a pursuit crash can be chaotic, usually with several patrol cars and a closed road. These steps keep the focus on you.
- Get medical care. Accept help at the scene or see a doctor soon after, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can hide pain.
- Note who responded. More than one agency may arrive at a pursuit crash. Write down each agency name and any report number an officer gives you.
- Document what you can. Photograph the vehicles, the road, traffic signals and your injuries. Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers.
- Request the crash report. It records the vehicles, people and the officer’s account. Our guide on how to get a police report after a crash explains the usual process.
- Tell your insurer what happened. Stick to facts you know, and avoid guessing about fault or speed.
For the rest of the first week, from repairs to follow-up care, see our guide on what to do after a car accident.
Records That Can Help After a Pursuit Crash
A pursuit crash can involve more records than a typical collision. This table shows what to ask for and why it matters.
| Record | What it may show | Where to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Crash report | Vehicles, people involved and the officer’s account | The agency that wrote the report |
| Dash or body camera video | The chase and the moment of impact | The agency’s records office; release rules vary by state |
| Your photos and witness contacts | Damage, road conditions and independent accounts | You and anyone who saw it |
| Medical records | Your injuries and treatment from day one | Each provider who treated you |
| Insurance claim numbers | Which policies have been notified | Your insurer and the other driver’s insurer |
Frequently Asked Questions About Police Chase Accidents
Why are police chase accidents so dangerous?
High speed reduces control, lengthens stopping distance and makes crashes more severe. Other drivers often have little warning that a chase is coming.
Who is responsible for a police chase accident?
It depends on the facts and on state law, which varies. The fleeing driver’s actions are usually examined first.
How many people die in police pursuit crashes each year?
The Bureau of Justice Statistics reported an average of 355 deaths a year from pursuit-related crashes between 1996 and 2015.
Can I get the police report for a crash caused by a chase?
Yes. People involved in a crash can request the report from the agency that wrote it, though steps and fees vary by agency.
Get the Report From Your Pursuit Crash
A chase you never saw coming can leave you with injuries and a long list of questions.
Our team at Local Accident Reports offers 100% free help to request your official police report through our site.
If you have any doubts, you can reach out to our team at 888-657-1460.
Last reviewed: November 2026
This post was reviewed by Hernán Beresnak, Lead Editor, Local Accident Reports.
Content is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Local Accident Reports is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Use of this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. See our full disclaimer at https://localaccidentreports.com/disclaimer/ .
