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Can the Police Knock You off a Bike?
If the police knocked you off a bike, your rights may have been violated. Ultimately, whether your rights were violated comes down to the specific facts of your case and the reasonableness of the officer’s conduct.
An experienced police brutality lawyer can assess your case to determine the likelihood of a successful lawsuit against the police. If you think your rights were violated, contact Cody Warner, P.C. today.
The Elements of Excessive Force
When the police knock a person off a bike, the potential legal claim is called “excessive force” under the 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Excessive force occurs when the police use force that was not reasonable under the circumstances.
When assessing excessive force claims, the court considers:
- Whether the police were stopping a person for a crime and the severity of the crime
- Whether the person posed an immediate threat; and
- Whether the suspect resisted arrest or attempted to evade arrest.
Some Examples
Ultimately, the success of an excessive force claim against the police for knocking you off a bike depends on the facts.
For instance, if the police received a 911 call that someone matching your description had just robbed someone and then left on a bike, then they would arguably be justified in knocking you off your bike you as you fled the crime scene.
On the other hand, let’s say you were riding a bicycle down a pedestrian path. An officer tackles you from the side, and you fly off the bike. The offense you had committed was minor, and the officer gave you no order to stop before tackling you and potentially causing you significant physical injury. In this situation, the officer may have arguably used excessive force, and you could have a strong claim against the police for your trauma and injuries.
Need Help?
If the NYPD knocked you off a bike and injured you, contact Cody Warner, P.C. for a free consultation. We can assess your case to determine your likelihood of success and the worth of your lawsuit. If you were also falsely arrested, your payout could be higher.
We take civil rights cases against the police on a contingency basis, meaning that you pay nothing out-of-pocket. We only get paid if you win. Contact us today to see how we can help you.