What happens if you hit a cop car by accident?
Car Accidents - July 30, 2025
If you hit a police car by accident, and not intentionally or due to reckless behavior (like speeding or driving drunk), then you can usually treat the accident like a “regular” car accident: Call 911, get checked out by EMS, give a statement to the responding police officer, and notify your insurance company. Call an experienced Aurora car accident lawyer as soon as possible; if you didn’t intend to cause harm when you hit the police car, you shouldn’t be charged with a misdemeanor or felony. Still, it’s best to protect yourself. Accidents involving a police officer can get complicated, and you don’t want to be charged with a crime.
However, if you were driving recklessly or evidence indicates that you intentionally hit the police car, you could face felony charges.
Handling car accident cases involving police vehicles
Always call 911 after an accident. It’s best to have a third party (i.e., not the police officer you hit) complete the official police report and manage the scene. Per Illinois traffic laws, if someone got hurt or died, or if there was at least $1,500 worth of damage, you must report the accident. You’ll also need to report the accident to your insurance company or risk invalidating your policy.
Make sure you get a copy of the police report. If you’re hurt too badly to take care of that at the scene, contact the responding department as soon as you’re able. Don’t forget to talk to a lawyer. While you may be able to recover compensation after the wreck, there’s a good chance that the police department (or the government agency overseeing it) will challenge any accident claim you file.
Potential consequences of an accident with a police car
Expect an investigation into the incident. Any time a government entity or one of its agents (like a police officer) is involved in a potential personal injury claim, there are specific protocols the agency must follow, including its own investigation.
You may receive a citation for a traffic violation at the scene if you contributed to the wreck, like a ticket for failure to yield or reduce speed. If you did contribute part of the blame for the wreck, you still may be able to recover compensation, as long as it was less than 50% of the fault, per Illinois car accident laws.
If the accident happened because you were engaging in reckless driving, were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if it occurred in the midst of criminal activity, you could face criminal charges. Reckless driving charges in Illinois are usually a Class A misdemeanor, but in certain circumstances, you could face a Class 4 felony, which carries a prison sentence of one to three years.
You could be named as the defendant in a car accident case filed by the police officer. Depending on the circumstances, if you were at fault for the crash, then you could be sued for damages beyond what the city covers for them.
Getting compensation after car crashes involving police cars
If you didn’t cause the wreck, you have the right to file a claim for compensation under the Illinois Tort Claims Act, but you have to act fast—there is a one-year statute of limitations for these claims. Tort claims against a government agency have specific requirements; it’s essential to be represented by a car accident attorney familiar with the process.
Have you been hurt in an accident involving a police car? We’re here to protect your rights. Call Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates today at (800) 985-1819 for a free consultation.
