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Police in the US have said they were justified in arresting and pepper-spraying a 15-year-old girl who didn't want to go to hospital after she was hit by a car.

The mixed-race girl, who has not been identified, refused medical treatment and tried to cycle away on her bike after the bump in Hagerstown, Maryland.

In the latest police brutality to case to shock the States, footage from bodycams shows two burly, white police slamming her against a wall and forcing her into handcuffs despite her screams.

(Image: Facebook/Hagerstown Police Department)

A male friend who tries to intervene is told to "get back".

He later adds: "That badge has gone to your head".

When the girl wouldn't move her leg to get inside a police car, she was pepper-sprayed.

(Image: Facebook/Hagerstown Police Department) (Image: Facebook/Hagerstown Police Department)

At one point she can be heard shouting "I can't breathe"

She was taken to a police station and later charged as a juvenile with assault, disorderly conduct, a traffic violation and marijuana possession.

When she did receive hospital treatment, the girl was found to have whiplash and concussion.

Her lawyer Robin Ficker posted on Facebook: "This little girl, 5 ft. 105 lbs, was brutalized by Hagerstown police after, she, on her bike, was hit by a car, but refused medical treatment.

"They slammed her against a wall, arrested her for refusing treatment, maced her 4 times in the police car while handcuffed, and took her to the police station instead of the hospital!"

(Image: Facebook/Robin Ficker Law Offices)

Hagerstown Police Chief Victor Brito defended his officers claiming the girl had become "assaultive" and "combative" and would not cooperate with police.

"Every time we use a level of force, regardless whether we are justified or not, we lose," Brito he moaned.