13 Investigates: Houston Police Accidents Cost Taxpayers $1 in Every $5 Claims Paid
A few years back, Padison Johnson bought her first vehicle.
"She exclaimed with excitement because she managed everything on her own. It marked her very first major grown-up buy," she mentioned.
However, her enthusiasm diminished last December when she mentioned that she was traveling along South Main Street and a police car appeared suddenly out of nowhere.
Johnson said she was driving next to a box truck and as they were approaching a green light, she saw a car drive through the intersection so she started slowing down.
"As I start to slow down, I notice the lights, but I don’t hear anything, so I apply my brakes,” Johnson explained. “While I’m braking, they continue straight ahead and end up hitting my entire front section. That’s when I felt completely stunned.”
Johnson mentioned that this was her initial encounter with a car accident, and surprisingly, it involved an officer from the Houston Police Department.
She mentioned that the officer halted, and upon the arrival of HPD’s investigative unit, they provided her with a document outlining the steps for filing a claim with the City of Houston.
Johnson is one of over 300 individuals who have submitted HPD-related claims to the city since 2024. An analysis conducted by 13 Investigations reveals that only 23% of these claims result in compensation for the claimants.
Joseph Malouf from the Malouf Law Firm stated that it is challenging to secure victory when filing claims against government entities since these organizations must agree to relinquish their immunity.
There are numerous varying situations to consider. Was the siren activated, or just the lights? Were they speeding through school zones? What type of risky actions did this police officer take during the pursuit of the suspect or whoever they were following?" asked Malouf. "For instance, if an officer decelerates at an intersection before accelerating again, this indicates awareness regarding their driving skills and control.
He mentioned that it's equally challenging for locals to get their claims accepted by governmental bodies since these organizations typically refuse to settle a claim until a lawsuit has been initiated in court.
During his 34-year career as a lawyer, he believes he has only resolved one case with the City of Houston before needing to initiate legal proceedings.
"They’re basically giving you either no compensation or just a minimal amount, which makes me think, ‘I’m sorry, but I will have to take legal action against you now. This means you’ll have to use your funds, including taxpayer money, to fight this case, knowing that ultimately you'll be the one covering the costs,'” Malouf stated.
Houston officials informed ABC13 that a governmental body’s responsibility regarding harm to persons or damage to property is governed by the Tort Claims Act.
"The city denies claims when a report indicates that a police officer was attending to an emergency and utilizing either sirens or flashing lights, which is typically mandated by HPD policies except under certain circumstances. Should the lawyer for the plaintiff contend that they have evidence proving the officer’s conduct was negligent or violated relevant laws or ordinances, then legal action would be initiated through filing a lawsuit," stated the City of Houston in response to 13 Investigates.
When submitting her claim, Johnson mentioned that the city requested three distinct appraisals for the damages.
She mentioned that the quotes she got ranged from $13,000 to $16,000, exceeding the worth of her vehicle.
In January, Johnson got a letter from the city informing her of their governmental immunity from lawsuits and liabilities, which meant she wouldn’t receive anything from the organization she claimed was responsible for damaging her vehicle.
She stated, ‘I accomplished this entirely on my own. It was my very first vehicle. I covered the costs myself, and everything was registered under my name.’ She added, ‘At first, it stung, but I handed it over to God and thought, “If you provide something better for me, I’ll find a way to manage.”’
Following months of savings, Johnson mentioned that she could finally afford to buy an additional car.
However, since she received nothing for the vehicle reportedly struck by an HPD officer, she mentioned that she ended up with two car payments to make.
She expressed her desire for the city to assume greater responsibility in cases similar to hers.
It’s really upsetting and sorrowful because similar to myself, I put in significant effort to acquire my first vehicle. I strongly believe that anyone who has diligently worked to obtain their initial car, home, or anything else valuable would have also exerted considerable effort. It’s disheartening when someone—like the City of Houston—can swoop in and demolish these possessions without offering compensation to those affected. This situation truly breaks your heart.
Malouf suggests that locals purchase a dashboard camera.
He stated that if he were to offer just one piece of guidance to safeguard oneself, it would be to rely on the evidence. A photograph can convey more than spoken words; similarly, a video holds significant power. He believes this investment benefits everyone since facts remain unaltered. Truth remains constant as we do not fabricate information—it simply exists. Should these truths support your case, you have earned compensation.
However, people do not only lodge complaints against HPD. Based on documents acquired by ABC13, between 2022 and May 2024, a total of 886 claims were submitted against various City of Houston agencies concerning vehicle damages.
On March 17, Danetta McGlothen reported that a municipal vehicle collided with her parked car while it was stationed outside her residence. Despite being advised to submit a claim, she opted not to do so due to lacking alternative means of transport for both herself and her child. Consequently, the entity holding the lien covered approximately $3,000 of repair costs, whereas she incurred a deductible fee of $500.
“I was thinking, ‘Are you asking me to take this vehicle to two or three locations for quotes? ’ I found it hard to believe,” McGlothen stated. “I couldn’t even manage to open the door.”
ABC13 learned from the city that her claim wouldn’t proceed further as she hadn't strictly followed the claims process.
From 2022 through May 2024, merely 17% of claims were settled.
McGlothen stated that she believes the process seems intricate and lengthy with the intention of discouraging individuals from completing the claims procedure.
"Within that period, taxpayer money covered $5.2 million in claims for city vehicles. If you exclude some of the large six-figure settlements, the typical claim amounts to almost $27,000," stated McGlothen.
Since she was unable to rent a car, she ended up spending several hundred dollars on Uber fares to transport her son to school and her elderly parents to their medical appointments. It remains uncertain whether the city will compensate for these expenses.
Since McGlothen's assertion is no longer progressing, the city stated that her lienholder must submit the claim instead. In turn, the lienholder will be required to repay McGlothen for the expenses involved.
McGlothen stated, "I was thinking, ‘Seriously? Is this how they treat you in the city of Houston?’"
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