The cities are usually a very busy place with high traffic volumes. A car accident is always in the cards. You and any other occupants stand to become injured in any collision on a freeway or other route. If you were not to blame for the accident and think you can prove who or what was at fault, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to obtain compensation. If the accident was caused by a city or state government owned vehicle or other government property, you may still be able to file a claim for compensation, although the process is not quite so straightforward.
City and State Laws Regarding Government Personal Injury Claims
Like other government bodies across the U.S., Hawai’i and its various city governments protect themselves from indiscriminate civil claims, but permit genuine cases where negligence can be proven. Claims after a car accident involving government owned property are definitely allowed, although you do have to follow a more elaborate procedure.
You need to submit an initial notification to the city department that you think is responsible for your injury called a ‘notice of claim.’ There is limited time to do this so you should file a claim of this type as soon as you are able to do so. The completed claim must be accompanied by relevant medical reports, bills and details of the accident and how it led to your injury.
You may receive a response from the city in due course, but often this is a negative one and you are then forced to repeat everything all over again through a civil court. It is wise to seek advice from an attorney with experience in government claims before filing the personal injury claim with all documentation that you submitted before and anything else that can help support your claim.
Possible Car Accident Causes
If you have had an accident and believe that a government vehicle or other government structure or property was involved, then there are a limited number of causes. These include:
- • instances where parts of a building or other structure owned by the government collapse on you, for example within a parking lot;
- • occasions when a poorly maintained road surface forces you into oncoming traffic and causes a car crash;
- • collision with any sort of government owned vehicle;
- • collision with a bus.
Causes of Car Accidents Involving a City Bus
If you are hit by a bus in the area or in the city area, then your claim should be addressed to the bus company, rather than a city administration. Bus accidents are often, but not always, caused by bus driver errors. Bus drivers may:
- • fail to yield the right of way at an intersection;
- • fail to keep a close look out for other drivers;
- • be intoxicated while on the job;
- • be distracted by their cell phone ringing or a text message sent;
- • be driving too fast or too close;
- • fail to signal correctly and in good time while making a maneuver.
Bus accidents may also be caused by a malfunction in a critical part of the bus’s mechanical structure, such as the brakes, tires, steering or lights. Defective parts used by the bus company may be responsible for a crash.
Use an Experienced Attorney if Considering Claiming Against the City
If you are considering making a claim for compensation, don’t take it too lightly. Making a claim is serious business and it is easy to make a mistake if you try and interpret the law all by yourself. It is preferable to talk to a personal injury attorney before making any sort of claim and rely on the expertise of an attorney to help you navigate yourself though the claim process.
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 Honolulu or the state government of Hawai’i, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
