Courts generally leave gross negligence determinations to a jury to decide. Juries will look to the totality of the circumstances in making a decision. However, Maryland maintains specific laws that may impact a jury’s decision. For instance, as a matter of law, emergency status depends not on whether a police officer activated their lights or sirens. Although gross negligence is a high burden to meet, courts have exhibited an increased willingness to impose liability on officers for the consequences of negligent high-speed chases. However, in the same vein, motorists should take steps to move their vehicle away from the path of any high-speed police pursuits in their area of travel.