City vehicles, such as buses and police cars, ply along the roads of a city often 24/7. Millions of people throughout the country depend on public transit to get to work, go shopping and visit friends and relatives. Road conditions aren’t always perfect as sometimes there are snow storms and icy conditions to deal with.
On other occasions there is traffic congestion due to road improvements or a major event taking place in the city. Drivers sometimes get impatient and run red lights so they can keep to their timetable. This is the time when serious accidents take place.
How to Prove You’re Not at Fault for an Accident With a City Vehicle
There are several reasons why the driver of a city vehicle could be negligent. S/he could be any of the following:
- under the influence of drink or drugs;
- suffering from fatigue due to long working hours;
- eating and drinking while driving;
- texting or talking on a cell phone
- speeding because s/he is behind schedule.
- poor maintenance of the city vehicle such as brakes.
If the driver of the city vehicle is negligent and this is what caused the accident then it is easier to win a PI claim if suitable evidence is available to support what caused the accident. It is likely the police will be involved too.
Evidence to Help Win a Claim Against a City Vehicle
If the accident with the city vehicle is serious, the police will be called. They will write a report stating what caused the accident. It is a good idea to get hold of this report, so you can use it as evidence when filing your PI claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. Other useful bits of evidence could include any of the following:
- eye witnesses’ reports;
- photographs taken at the accident scene;
- photos taken from surveillance cameras;
- vehicle repair and report if brake failure was the cause of the accident;
- medical report showing injuries and their treatment.
How a Lawyer Can Help Win a Claim Against a City Vehicle
When the Government owns the vehicle that hit you, filing a PI claim is never that easy. This is because governments come under what is called sovereign immunity. This means governments cannot be sued unless they agree to be sued!
Personal injury claims against the government are made under the rules of the Tort Claims Act for federal agencies, which many states have adopted. Claims against a city vehicle owned by a city government agency have special forms that need to be completed with firm deadlines set to complete them. If the forms arrive late or are incorrectly completed, you could lose your chance of getting compensation. In order to get the PI compensation you deserve it is useful to consult with a PI lawyer who will guide you through the process carefully.
*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 Uber, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
