A car accident in San Diego triggered by a police pursuit has resulted in serious injuries for 57-year-old Linda Comstock. KGTV San Diego reports that the head-on car accident involving Comstock’s Jeep and a Honda Accord bearing three teens occurred on September 22, 2010 near the 5 Freeway in Carlsbad when police were pursuing the Honda. Comstock was seriously injured in the car accident and is still hospitalized for treatment. Comstock and her family are now questioning whether a police pursuit was justified.
I sympathize with Linda Comstock and her family for what they are going through at this time. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. I wish Comstock the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were five deaths and 441 injuries involving car accidents in Carlsbad. In San Diego County as a whole, 248 people died and 13,527 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Liability Issues
Most police departments have a “vehicle pursuit policy” in place. There’s no question that police officers have a duty to apprehend dangerous criminals. In most of these cases, police officers do a commendable job. However, there needs to be a balancing test between the danger to the public and the requirement to apprehend a suspect. Our justice system should not allow officers to engage in high-speed chases without weighing the good that comes from catching a suspect against the safety of innocent bystanders such as Comstock who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In such cases injures victims would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who can give them more information about the law and their legal rights. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families. Please remember that any personal injury claim involving a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury, under California Government Code Section 911.2.
Seriously injured in a San Diego County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Carlsbad car accident. Call 866-310-5252. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys San Diego personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.
Do you think police officers in this case made the right decision by pursuing the teenagers?
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.