Short summary: The Suffolk County Legislature approved a $1 million settlement for a Selden man hurt when a police sergeant's SUV ran a red light in Centereach in January 2020. It took almost seven years. Claims against police cars are possible in New York, but they come with a short deadline at the start and a stricter fault test in some cases. Knowing both generally decides whether a claim survives.
What happened
In January 2020, a Suffolk police sergeant crashed his police SUV into a Selden man's vehicle at a Centereach intersection after running a red light, Newsday reported, as summarized by Patch. Court filings described the man's injuries as serious and permanent.
On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Legislature unanimously approved a bond vote to borrow money for the $1 million settlement, with two legislators absent.
The 90-day Notice of Claim
A claim against a county, city, town or village vehicle generally starts with a Notice of Claim, filed within 90 days of the crash. The lawsuit generally has to follow within one year and 90 days. That is far tighter than the three years people usually hear about for car crashes. Our post on a Harlem NYPD cruiser crash explains the clock.
Emergency runs have a different test
Police and fire drivers on a real emergency run are allowed to run red lights with care. When that happens, New York generally requires proof of reckless disregard, not just ordinary carelessness. Whether a car was on an emergency run, and whether lights and sirens were on, can make or break a case. We have not seen whether that issue came up here. Either way, it is why dispatch records and video should be requested early.
Why public settlements take so long
Large public settlements often need a vote, and a county sometimes has to borrow to pay. Add years of medical treatment and court schedules, and seven years is not unusual. No-fault benefits generally still pay medical bills and lost wages in the meantime. Our page on what a car accident case is worth covers how these numbers get built.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
Can I sue if a police car hits me?
Generally yes. Claims against police vehicles are possible, but a Notice of Claim is generally due within 90 days, and an emergency run can raise the bar to reckless disregard.
Does no-fault cover me if a police car hits my car?
Generally yes. No-fault benefits generally come through your own auto policy first, regardless of who caused the crash.
Not sure where you stand after a crash? Get your free case review or call (888) 208-0529. A real person answers, 24/7.
Reporting: Patch, citing Newsday.
