What Happens if Your Vehicle is Hit During a Police Chase?

It’s not easy getting compensation for injuries or property damage caused by a police pursuit, but it’s not impossible, because you do have options.

Who Can Bring a Police Pursuit Injury Claim?

Any injured party who sustained injuries and/or property damage as a result of a police chase has a right to bring a claim. The list of potential plaintiffs includes:

• Drivers and passengers in vehicles that are hit by one or more of the vehicles involved in the police pursuit
• Drivers and passengers in vehicles that are forced off the road by the chase
• Pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooter riders who are injured
• People whose property is damaged as a result of the pursuit

Can the Police Agency Be Sued?

Texas is a Sovereign Immunity state. Sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine that protects the state and its political subdivisions from being sued without its consent. However, this immunity is not absolute. It can be waived in specific circumstances.

For example, the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA) allows lawsuits against the government for certain types of negligence, such as those involving vehicle accidents, property defects, and misuse of personal property.

How Would I File a Claim for Injury Suffered in a Police Pursuit?

If you clear the sovereign immunity hurdle, you will still need to clear a number of other hurdles in order to get the government to consider your claim.

In Texas, you must first file a “Notice of Claim” in which you would include the details about what happened, the nature of your injuries, and the amount of compensation you’re asking for. Once this notice of claim is properly filed, it starts a process during which the government considers your claim. The government will then:

• offer you a settlement
• deny your claim, or
• not respond at all.

In Texas, if your claim is denied or the government doesn’t respond, you can move on to filing a lawsuit in court.

How Long Do I Have to File This Type of Claim?

The deadline to file a notice of claim against a state government agency in Texas is 180 days from the date of the incident. Some local government agencies may have a shorter deadline, such as 90 days.

If the government rejects your claim, or doesn’t respond to it within 45 days, you can file a lawsuit in court.

Contact J. Gonzalez

This summary only begins to address the complexities of filing suit against a government agency, but if you still think it’s worth it to pursue this type of action, the J. Gonzalez Law Firm is ready to discuss the details of your case with you.

The initial consultation is free. If we agree to pursue the case on your behalf, you pay nothing unless and until we secure the settlement you deserve. Don’t delay. Deadlines tend to arrive faster than you think. Contact us immediately via this website or by calling 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

Three suspects in custody after DPS cruiser crashes during chase

By: Benjamin Treviño

Nov 18, 2025 Authorities say a police chase ended in a three-vehicle crash, involving a Texas Department of Public Safety patrol unit.

According to a news release, a DPS trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Goolie Rd. and Hernandez Rd. in Donna, but the driver failed to yield.

A chase ensued eastward on Expressway 83, causing three vehicle crashes in Weslaco before the pursuit ended on Virginia Avenue and Expressway 83 in Mercedes.

DPS spokesperson Sgt. Maria Hernandez said three people were arrested. One of the crashes involved a DPS patrol unit, she said.

No major injuries were reported.

Source: https://www.krgv.com/news/dps-patrol-unit-crashes-during-hidalgo-county-vehicle-chase?