You may not realize this, but if you are involved in an accident with someone driving a government vehicle in the city, filing a personal injury claim isn’t quite as easy as with an individual driver. The time allowed to file the claim is a lot shorter and the state or city agency involved will not admit liability without putting up a fight.
If you have been injured and you have good evidence to show you did not cause the accident you should arrange a consultation with a personal injury attorney who will assess your case and file a personal injury compensation claim on your behalf.
City and State Laws Regarding Government Personal Injury Claims
In spite of statewide sovereign immunity laws which usually prevents the government from taking responsibility for an accident on its property or caused by one of its employees there are times that lawsuits are permitted for certain injuries and when negligence has been the cause.
If you believe you have a legitimate claim against the city you are given six months from the date of the accident to file your claim. A specific form is available on the city’s website for you to complete and the mayor will choose to approve the claim and offer you a settlement. You will have to file a lawsuit in court if the mayor refuses to agree to your claim. Here's a little more information on why statutes of limitations are important.
Potential Car Accident Causes
There are all sorts of cases involving car accidents with vehicles being driven by government workers. A driver could be driving a bus too fast and fail to look when turning out of a bus stop causing a driver behind to hit its rear unexpectedly causing serious injury and car damage. A police vehicle could run a red light without good reason and cause a serious accident to your vehicle when you are crossing its path. You have reasonable grounds for filing a personal injury claim as long as the government vehicle isn’t involved in an emergency like a fire engine rushing to the scene of o fire.
Car Accidents Involving a City Bus
Driver errors include:
- fatigue;
- failure to look out for nearby vehicles;
- failure to signal effectively;
- failure to yield the right of way;
- speeding;
- insufficient training or skills;
- intoxication caused by drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
Use an Experienced Attorney if Considering Claiming Against the City
Filing a personal injury lawsuit against anyone is never a simple matter of completing a form and sending it to the at fault person’s insurer. Insurance will certainly put up a fight if it can see you don’t have a personal injury attorney by your side. It’s in your interest to talk to a personal injury attorney who will fight on your behalf to get a just settlement to compensate you for the financial hardship caused by the injuries.
Disclaimer
The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against the city of Atlanta or the state government of Georgia, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
