Car Accident Involving Government Vehicle

Getting involved in a car accident involving a city or state-owned vehicle can be overwhelming and daunting. People have a common misconception that when they hit or get hit by a city or state-owned vehicle, they have no grounds for legal action. However, the truth is that they do have options.

The following is a list of things you can do after a car accident involving a city or a state-owned vehicle:

Get a police report

Make sure to get a police report. A police report can be helpful because it will include details of the crash, including the names and contact information of those involved. It will also include a brief description of the event surrounding the accident. You may have to pay a fee to get the police report. However, the police report will be helpful to the case.

Make sure the other party is the government party

Make sure that the other party involved in the accident is the government, and not a private party. A vehicle may look like it is being operated by the government, while in reality being owned and operated by a private company. Double check to know what you are up against.

Find the appropriate agency

It may not be immediately apparent what part of the government a vehicle belongs to. Finding the appropriate government agency is important if you would like to take legal action. Contact the other driver involved in the accident. This should not be difficult if you exchange information with the other driver at the scene of the accident.

File a government claim for damages

Before you can sue in the civil court, you will need to file an administrative claim with the government. An administrative claim goes directly to the city or state government’s legal teams, who will then evaluate the claim for damage or injury. The government has several months to either settle or reject the claim. However, if they reject the claim, you can sue them.

Organize your documents

Organize all documents related to the accident. Get all your photos, papers, documents, and bills in order. If you are not efficiently organized, there is a risk that your claim will be thrown out or not taken seriously.