If you were hurt in a wreck and you want to seek compensation, it may not have crossed your mind that you might end up having to take on a government agency. While it’s true that most car accident claims are against motorists or other private parties, a small percentage of them do involve city, county, or state entities.
Since the government has certain protections from tort claims, it’s natural to be wary of suing them for damages. With the right legal strategy, though, it’s possible to hold them accountable.
Should you be wondering whether there’s a possibility you’ll have to face the government, read on. Here are some of the most common scenarios that warrant a claim against the city, county, or state:
1. The at-Fault Motorist Was a Government Employee
As a general rule of thumb, employers are responsible for their workers while they’re acting within the scope of their employment. That means if you were struck by a city bus or some other government vehicle, you would probably bring a claim against the city.
2. Poorly Maintained Roads Were to Blame
Different government agencies are responsible for maintaining different roadways. If a particular entity fails to do their part and collisions start occurring as a result, they can be held liable for all resulting damages.
If you were in a wreck on a major highway, for example, because you were forced to swerve to avoid crumbling barriers, you might have grounds for a claim against the state. If, on the other hand, you crashed in a small town because a massive pothole caused your tire to blow out, you might be able to take action against the municipality. Regardless of the specifics, a seasoned attorney who’s well-versed at taking on government agencies of all sizes can help.
3. Disjointed Traffic Patterns Caused the Wreck
In addition to maintaining the roadways, various government entities are responsible for constructing safe traffic patterns. When doing so, they must account for all the vehicles that might use the roadways, from small motorcycles to massive 18-wheelers.
As you might have guessed, agencies that implement dangerous traffic patterns can be deemed liable for any accidents that end up occurring as a result.
Call (562) 206-1939 to Speak with a Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach
Your Injuries Are Personal to Me
At the Law Office of Michael D. Waks, we’re not afraid to take on even the largest governing bodies. If you were hurt in a wreck and you think the government might be to blame, we’ll use all our resources to help you prove as much—or to identify any other liable parties—so you can seek the compensation you deserve. Call (562) 206-1939 or submit our Contact Form to set up a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in Long Beach.
Save Our Car Crash Emergency Response .PDF
Should you ever find yourself in another wreck, you’ll want to be prepared. By printing our Car Crash Emergency Response .pdf and keeping a copy in your vehicle, you’ll always have a guide on hand that explains exactly how to record the scene. Simply follow the steps listed, and you’ll be able to put together a personal injury claim with all the information you collected. Download it HERE for free.