Excessive Force During Traffic Stops

When Routine Traffic Stops Turn Dangerous

Getting pulled over should be quick. A warning, maybe a ticket, then you’re back on your way. But you probably already know, it doesn’t always go that way. In seconds, what should’ve been routine can turn aggressive, even violent. Your pulse spikes. Your mind races. You’re not sure what you did wrong or what might happen next. Excessive force attorneys hear this kind of story all the time.

Horn Wright, LLP, stands beside drivers caught in terrifying situations. We understand how a simple traffic stop can spiral into something much worse. Our firm’s team is here to help you understand your options and get back some peace of mind.

State laws vary. In New York, your rights aren’t quite the same as in Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine. That’s why having a legal team that truly gets it makes all the difference. If this happened to you, you're not without options.

When a Stop on Flatbush Turns Into a Nightmare

Some stops start tense and only get worse. Maybe the officer's voice was sharp, their hand hovered near their belt, or you were told to step out before they said why you were even stopped.

Targeted in Your Own Neighborhood

Certain zip codes get more police presence than others. For instance, East New York, the South Bronx don’t see the same treatment as the Upper West Side. And if you're Black or Latinx, you know what it's like.

According to data from the New York Civil Liberties Union, Black and Latinx drivers make up 62% of stops but only 45% of the driving population. Meanwhile, white drivers make up 38% of drivers yet account for just 23% of stops.

These stop patterns reveal long-standing racial profiling practices that keep harming communities.

When Cops Come in Hot: No Calm, Just Commands

You’ve probably seen it or maybe it happened to you. The officer walks up already tense. No calm introduction. Just barked orders and a hand hovering near their weapon.

These interactions go sideways fast. A nervous glance or misunderstood movement can escalate the situation. It’s not something to brush off. It’s often the start of police misconduct that changes lives.

These Aren’t Just Stories

These stories aren’t some distant headlines. They’re happening to people just like you, in neighborhoods you know.

A father dragged out of his car in front of his kids. A college student slammed down for asking why he was being stopped. They might’ve not been combative. They weren’t dangerous. But they still got hurt. And when you zoom out, the numbers tell a story that’s hard to ignore.

While Black and Hispanic drivers made up just over half of the stops, they represented 86% of arrests and 85% of searches. It’s clear this isn’t about safety but a broken system. And many of these stories also turn into cases of false imprisonment.

The Hands That Should Protect, But Instead Inflict Pain

Not every traffic stop ends peacefully. Some turn physical fast. And once that line’s crossed, there’s often no turning back.

Cuffed for No Reason: The First Twist in a Traumatizing Turn

Have you ever been cuffed before you even knew what was going on? Just for asking a question or not moving fast enough? It’s terrifying.

People who follow every instruction calmly and clearly still find themselves yanked from their cars and restrained in public. This may happen right where you live.

This kind of control stops being about safety and starts becoming about power. Even during traffic stops that seem minor, officers sometimes cross the line, illegally confiscating belongings without proper justification. That’s not enforcement but abuse. And it connects directly to the broader pattern of police brutality we’ve seen for decades.

From Stop Sign to Slammed on the Concrete

Just moments ago, you’re handing over your ID. Now, you're face-down on the pavement with no idea how it escalated so quickly. Sometimes an officer uses way more force than the situation ever called for. A shove, a grip, and a sudden takedown without warning. And then you’re the one blamed, accused of “resisting arrest,” even when all you did was exist.

While victims are left picking up the pieces, officers often continue on without consequences. Some may face civil lawsuits, but actual accountability is rare.

Still, there are moments that show what’s possible. Stepping up, telling the truth, and demanding justice, can force change and hold people in power responsible.

Lives Lost at the Light: Stops That Turn Fatal

Some traffic stops don’t just leave bruises, they end lives. One wrong move, one moment of panic or misjudgment, and suddenly, it’s over. That’s exactly what happened in Florida, where a man was shot by a deputy during a stop and later awarded $23 million in damages.

For families left behind, the pain is compounded by complicated legal battles, unanswered questions, and the fight for justice through wrongful shootings claims. These cases expose the deep human cost of excessive force, making it clear just how high the stakes really are.

What You’re Entitled to Under the Law

You’ve got rights. No matter where you are or who you are. But it helps to know what those rights are before things go sideways.

Pulled Over Without Cause? The Fourth Amendment Has Your Back

The Fourth Amendment protects your right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. In the context of traffic stops, that means officers can't pull you over on a whim or search your car without solid legal grounds. This essentially means:

• They need a clear, legal reason to pull you over
• They can’t search your vehicle unless you give permission, they have a warrant, or probable cause
• Force isn’t allowed just because you questioned them

If those lines are crossed, that’s an illegal search and seizure, plain and simple.

They Don't Get to Hurt You Just Because They Can

Force must match the threat level. And in most traffic stops, there is no real threat. New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1194 spells out what officers can and can’t do specifically during DWI-related traffic stops and arrests. They can ask you to take a breath test if they suspect you’re impaired, but they can’t use force unless there's a clear threat.

If you refuse testing, it may lead to license suspension, but it doesn’t give them permission to harm or intimidate you.

Knowing how civil cases work can give you a better idea of what options are available if you were mistreated.

When You’re Ready to Be Heard, Start Here

No one should go through something this traumatic and feel like they have to face it alone. If your traffic stop turned into something far more serious, it’s time to talk to someone who knows what’s at stake and how to help.

Reach out to Horn Wright, LLP, to connect with excessive force attorneys who listen, understand, and know how to fight for what’s right. Your story deserves to be taken seriously and so do you.