POLICE VEHICLES AND ACCIDENTS – MIAMI LAWYER EXPLAINS

Who pays for your vehicle damages or personal injuries when a police vehicle is responsible for an accident?

Navigating Legal Challenges with Cop Car Accidents: Insights from Perazzo Law Firm

In Miami, the experts at the Perazzo Law Firm shed light on a lesser-known fact: cop cars do not carry insurance. This realization underscores the intricate legal complexities that surface when seeking compensation for damages and losses stemming from accidents involving police vehicles. With this in mind, Jonathan Perazzo, a seasoned personal injury attorney and the founder of the Perazzo Law Firm, offers a vital piece of advice—consider securing Underinsured Motorist Insurance coverage. This strategic move can serve as a safeguard, particularly when faced with the potential inability to cover medical expenses in the aftermath of a police-involved accident.

Navigating Complexities: The Role of Police Vehicles

Police vehicles are frequently immersed in high-speed and intense scenarios. The nature of their work often demands swift maneuvers and rapid accelerations, especially in situations like high-speed pursuits. Recent footage captured an illustrative example of this phenomenon when multiple law enforcement vehicles engaged in a high-speed chase along the Palmetto. This event showcased over a dozen police vehicles chasing a single car, potentially endangering other drivers. While no accidents were reported in this instance, the inherent risks were substantial.

Importance of Adequate Protection: Underinsured Motorist Insurance

Considering the distinctive legal landscape surrounding accidents involving police vehicles, securing Underinsured Motorist

Insurance emerges as a practical solution. This coverage can provide a safety net against potential challenges in covering medical expenses post-accident, especially when police vehicles are at fault. The dynamic nature of law enforcement operations heightens the unpredictability of such situations, making the foresight of obtaining this coverage even more crucial.

In the realm of vehicular safety, understanding the intricacies of insurance coverage and potential legal implications becomes paramount. The Perazzo Law Firm’s insights highlight the need for proactive measures to safeguard against unforeseen challenges that can arise in accidents involving police vehicles.

See video footage here.

What is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: A Crucial Shield for Financial Security

Motor vehicle owners are strongly advised by The Perazzo Law Firm to consider a critical addition to their insurance arsenal: Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. This strategic choice can potentially spare individuals a lifetime of financial strain resulting from the negligence or fault of others. These coverages also prove invaluable in the unfortunate event of a hit and run accident. When combined with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage (PD), UM coverage goes beyond medical bills to encompass pain, suffering, lost wages, and other associated losses.

Types of UM Coverage: Unveiling the Distinctions

Motor vehicle owners should recognize that two forms of UM coverage exist: STACK and UNSTACKED. UNSTACKED coverage applies separately to each owned vehicle—whether it’s one out of three or all of them. This, however, restricts coverage to the specific vehicle being operated during the accident. Stacked UM coverage, on the other hand, extends protection to both the policyholder and individuals indicated in the policy, irrespective of the vehicle they were in during the accident. Aptly named “stacked,” this coverage accumulates based on the number of vehicles on the policy. For instance, a policy covering three vehicles with a $100K limit yields $300,000 in collective coverage.

Leveraging UM: A Comprehensive Perspective

The value and significance of UM coverage transcend its financial implications. This essential shield safeguards you and your loved ones against unforeseen accidents. While this insight isn’t exhaustive, The Perazzo Law Firm offers a clear understanding of the fundamental role UM coverage plays. To secure this protection, insurance carriers extend the option to accept or reject the coverage when providing Bodily Injury Protection (BI) insurance. This relationship between the two policies underscores the value insurance companies place on UM coverage.

Unraveling the Economics of UM Coverage

The cost-effectiveness of UM coverage is a standout feature. Despite possessing an abundance of information about policyholders, insurance companies cannot predict the actions of other drivers. This makes UM coverage a safeguard against unpredictable circumstances. While Florida law governs the premium for UM coverage, it remains less costly than mandatory insurances. Insurance companies, recognizing its significance, often overlook explaining its importance. The connection between BI insurance and unlocking UM coverage reinforces its necessity.

In summary, embracing UM coverage aligns with safeguarding one’s financial security and well-being. The insights shared by The Perazzo Law Firm underscore the importance of making informed decisions in the realm of insurance, strengthening personal safety nets against unforeseen accidents.

If you, a friend, or relative has been injured in a car accident that resulted from interaction with a law enforcement vehicle, contact the Perazzo Law Firm now ONLINE for a FREE initial consultation to find out your legal rights to seek compensation for losses or injuries.

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ACCIDENTS INVOLVING POLICE VEHICLES

May 22, 2023

NW MIAMI-DADE: Two individuals, one of whom was a police officer, are in the process of recovering after a collision in Northwest Miami-Dade. The incident occurred when the officer, en route to a routine call, collided with a truck carrying a family of four. Emergency services, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Miami-Dade Police, promptly responded to the scene at the intersection of Northwest 167th Street and 67th Avenue, near a fire station. Video footage depicted significant damage to both vehicles, with the truck’s front end completely destroyed and the police cruiser’s driver-side doors heavily damaged. The condition of the police cruiser necessitated the removal of the door to extract the officer. After being freed from the wreckage, the officer was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center, where he is now in stable condition and was discharged within a few hours. While one truck passenger was transported to the hospital, there were no other reported injuries. The collision resulted in the temporary closure of nearby streets for debris cleanup, but they have since been reopened. Traffic investigators are currently examining the circumstances leading up to the crash.

May 20,2023

HIALEAH: Police are currently examining a collision involving a Miami-Dade Police officer’s vehicle in Homestead, Florida. The incident occurred on Saturday, around 3:30 p.m., near the junction of Southwest 152nd Avenue and 328th Street. Alongside the police cruiser, a red SUV suffered damage to its front end. As a result of the crash, a significant portion of the road was closed for an extended period. It is unknown at this time if there were any injuries or the cause of the accident, as authorities are still conducting their investigation.

May 25, 2023

Several individuals have been injured in a traffic accident in Southwest Miami-Dade involving a Miami-Dade Police vehicle. The incident occurred at around 3:40 p.m. on Thursday at the intersection of SW 122nd Avenue and 268th Street. Two officers in a marked police car were on their regular patrol in the westbound lanes when a Jeep Wrangler, also traveling in the same direction, collided with a Toyota Corolla that was making an eastbound turn from the southbound lane. As a result of the collision, both officers, a man, and a woman, were taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation as a precautionary measure. Additionally, a passenger in the Jeep Wrangler was also transported to the hospital for medical attention. The current condition of the injured individuals has not been disclosed. Initially, the drivers of the Corolla and the Jeep received initial treatment at the scene but the Corolla driver later changed her mind and requested to be taken to the hospital for further examination. The authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.

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