Are we liable for injuries to a third party when pursuing actual/suspected violators of the law?

• A. Yes
• B. No, unless our negligence directly causes the injuries
• C. Only if a pursuit policy exists
• D. Never

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how liability for bystander injuries arises during pursuits. In general, officers aren’t automatically liable for injuries to third parties just because a pursuit happened. Governmental immunity and the protection that comes from acting within policy and training mean you’re not at fault unless your own negligent conduct directly causes the harm. So the key question is causation: did the officer’s negligent driving or decision-making directly lead to the injuries? If yes, liability can attach. If the injuries occur due to the suspect’s actions or other factors and the officer followed policy and acted reasonably, there isn’t automatic liability. That’s why the best answer is that liability hinges on whether the officer’s negligence directly causes the injuries, not merely on pursuing an actual or suspected violator or on the existence of a pursuit policy.