Oakland Police Pursuit Leads to Fatal Crash

In March of 2024, it was reported that a police pursuit in Oakland led to a fatal crash. This has become a common story throughout the Bay Area, and incidents like this have led to numerous questions among observers. Should the cost of “serving justice” be paid in human lives? When should police call off dangerous pursuits? What happens when innocent people lose their lives as a result of police chases? Do the ends justify the means? Perhaps most notably, the loved ones of deceased victims wonder how they can pursue compensation for various damages, including unpaid medical costs, funeral expenses, and emotional distress. 

Police Pursuit Causes Wrong-Way Crash in Oakland

Police say that three vehicles collided after a pursuit went wrong in Oakland. Officers initially responded to an alleged burglary at about 4:22 AM. Upon arrival, the suspects attempted to flee, and that’s when this pursuit began. Police vehicles chased the suspects down I-80 but were unable to halt them. Eventually, the suspects merged onto I-580 and began driving on the wrong side of the road. 

The suspects then crashed their vehicle into a van and a sedan at about 4:30 AM – eight minutes after the chase began. Everyone involved in this three-car collision suffered critical injuries. The driver of the sedan died as a result of the crash, while the driver of the van survived with what police described as “major” medical issues. All of the suspects also suffered critical injuries, and both will undoubtedly face various criminal charges as a result of the incident. 

Although the criminals in question were clearly at fault in this situation, one has to wonder whether the police pursuit was worth the death and critical injury of two innocent civilians. These individuals just so happened to be on the highway at the time of the pursuit, and their lives were irrevocably altered as a result. The survivor will likely never be the same, while the deceased individual may have left behind numerous loved ones and dependents. 

The entire pursuit took eight minutes from start to finish. When the suspects began driving on the wrong side of the highway, they clearly put dozens of people in direct danger. One might argue that, at this point, the pursuing officers should have called off the chase. The suspects may have stopped driving erratically if they believed they were no longer being pursued. That being said, it is impossible to understand this crash in full detail, as news reports only provide limited information. 

Pursuing Compensation After a Police Pursuit Crash in Oakland

If a police pursuit caused you or someone you love to suffer serious injuries, you might be wondering about potential compensation. Perhaps you were simply an innocent motorist who just so happened to get caught up in a police pursuit. You might be facing medical bills, funeral expenses, missed wages, emotional distress, and many other damages. 

You may turn to a number of potential sources of compensation in this situation. First, you could turn to your own auto insurance policy and file a claim. However, California is a no-fault state, and you generally have to establish that someone else caused your accident to pursue compensation. If the person who caused your crash is a criminal, they may have been driving a stolen vehicle without proper insurance. Even if they were driving their own vehicle, they might lack the funds to cover your damages, especially if they felt enough financial pressure to commit crimes like burglary. 

Uninsured motorist coverage could provide the compensation you need, although you need to opt in to this additional coverage before your accident takes place. If all else fails, you could explore the possibility of suing the police department that initiated the chase. In many cases, police departments can be held liable for causing unnecessary injuries to civilians. This so-called “collateral damage” can easily lead to lawsuits, especially if police officers violate their own policies while engaging in chases. 

For example, the Oakland Police Department has a policy that bans all pursuits unless suspects are engaged in violent crimes or crimes involving guns. In the past, officers have chosen not to pursue burglary suspects for this very reason. 

Find an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer in the Bay Area

If you have been searching for an experienced auto accident lawyer in Oakland, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. Whether your accident was caused by a police chase, a drunk driver, or a street racer, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. There may be numerous potential sources of income after an auto accident, and the most appropriate course of action depends on your unique circumstances. To discuss your situation in more detail, book a consultation with us at your earliest convenience.