Car accidents that involve government vehicles can be a tough lawsuit to go through. Going after a government employee for damages means you’re also going after their employer. This is the main reason why victims gain a sense of confidence when hiring a Car Accident Lawyer. Laws have made it difficult to sue the government, so be prepared for a few extra steps when entering into a lawsuit.
1. Document Everything
If you plan on taking the government to court, then pay attention to the details. Make sure to document everything with notes, pictures, and videos. Anything that you can’t back up with this evidence can be disputed ad nauseum. Collecting evidence is the first part, but the more important point of documenting everything is to do it in a timely manner. Leaving the scene of an accident before the police arrive will harm your case. Going home, waiting a few hours, and then going to the ER will hurt your case. It is important to distance yourself away from a situation in which the other side can say that they were not at fault for the crash or injuries. Any momentary lapses in judgment during or after an accident can completely railroad your case.
2. Insurance Matters
Letting your insurance lapse is a huge and avoidable mistake. All protections are lost if you have an accident without having current insurance. In your case against the government, having no insurance will directly influence how they react. Driving without insurance is against the law, and increases liability for everyone on the road. Getting insurance after the accident does not cover you for previous or current incidents. In fact, trying to use new insurance as ‘a cover’ can cause more problems than it will solve.
When getting car insurance, choose a company that has a good record with its consumers. You also want to have access to online payments, and full coverage rather than limited. Make all of these decisions
3. Don’t Get Intimidated into A Bad Decision
When a government entity steps up to the plate, it is only after they have all of their affairs in order. Every state has its own set of laws and rules associated with car accidents that involve a government vehicle. You have to be able to distinguish the difference between a worker driving a government vehicle on the clock, or off of the clock. An off the clock car crash in a government vehicle turns your case against the government into a case against an individual.
There are times when a government employer is still responsible for the worker driving the vehicle, even when they’re off the clock. Victims should be careful of any legalese that passes the responsibility of the accident onto a private citizen. The only pressure that you have to deal with is providing evidence of the accident and any potential hospitalization. Getting forced into a quick decision is a tactic and one that shouldn’t be tolerated when you’ve done everything right.
Wrap Up
Individuals that are wronged deserve a smooth way to get back to their normal lives. When sovereign immunity isn’t an issue, suing the government for a car accident is a viable recourse. You still have to do a little extra legwork to make an acceptable case, but it is more than worth the hassle.
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