The nationally recognized attorneys (including five physician-attorneys) at Kline & Specter, PC, have advocated for victims since 1995. We have a strong track record of fighting for our clients and securing fair verdicts and settlements.
What Is the Duty of Care in a Police Pursuit?
Officers have a responsibility to protect the public. During high-speed chases, they must weigh the urgency of apprehending a suspect against the risk to others on the road. Most departments have strict pursuit policies designed to prevent unnecessary harm.
Violations of these policies – such as continuing a pursuit through dense traffic, ignoring weather conditions, or failing to call off a chase when appropriate – can breach the duty of care. When that happens, injured parties may have grounds for legal action.
Elements of a Duty of Care Claim
Building a strong claim involves:
- Establishing negligence: Did officers ignore safety protocols or departmental guidelines?
- Proving causation: Were your injuries directly tied to the pursuit?
- Demonstrating damages: This includes medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Victims may face challenges such as limited access to internal police reports, resistance from government entities, or difficulty proving that the officer’s decisions directly caused the harm. That’s why these cases often require deep legal knowledge and persistence.
Experienced attorneys like those at Kline & Specter can help you gather crucial evidence, gain insight from expert witnesses, and navigate complex legal hurdles. For example, in August 2025, the firm secured a $2.9 million settlement from the city of Philadelphia (believed to be the city’s largest police chase-related settlement) for a woman and her niece after they were struck by a dirt bike rider being chased by an officer.
Discuss Your Case Today
If you or a loved one were harmed during a police pursuit where safety procedures broke down, you may have a duty‑of‑care claim.
Kline & Specter offers unmatched legal and medical expertise to pursue compensation and foster accountability. Call 215-772-1000 or submit our contact form to discuss your situation.
Kline & Specter provides free and confidential evaluations of potential cases. Kline & Specter handles cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. For cases outside those states, the law firm works with local attorneys in each state as applicable.
