Car accidents can cause terrible injuries and are a major cause of untimely death. Most accidents are caused by human error and may lead to an attempt to obtain compensation if it can be proved that the accident was due to someone else’s negligence.
A complication arises when the injury has been caused by a government employee while at work, or a government agency. Claims are still possible, but not as straightforward. It is advisable not to attempt claiming compensation from a government entity unless you have help from an experienced personal injury attorney.
City and State Laws Regarding Government Personal Injury Claims
If you believe that your injuries were due to negligence on the part of a city employee or a city or state government agency, you might be able to claim compensation if you have the evidence to back the claim up.
The procedure is more complicated than a claim against a private individual or organization. Within 180 days of the injury you must submit a "notice of claim" to the relevant agency that you believe was involved in the accident. The claim form can be downloaded from the city's own website.
The form must be submitted together with supporting information and documents. The time, date and nature of the accident; the nature of the injuries; why you think the city was at fault and evidence of expenses and medical reports are all examples of supporting information.
The city should respond within 60 days. It may decide to pay compensation based on the notice of claim, but more commonly it does not. A negative response can be followed up with a personal injury claim against the city.
Potential Car Accident Causes
There are several reasons for car accidents. Most car accidents are caused by other negligent drivers. Some of these may be driving government owned vehicles on government business. In addition to Valley Metro buses, there are department cars, vans and trucks, police cars, fire service vehicles and school vehicles, just to mention a few examples.
Car accidents are also sometimes caused when road conditions are so bad that you try and avoid a pothole or road surface defect and end up crashing into something else, like a building or fence. Where roads are the responsibility of the city government, poor maintenance or lack of maintenance may be sufficient cause for a legitimate claim for compensation.
Accidents Involving a City Bus
Car accidents that involve government property may be caused by a collision with a bus. Bus crashes could be due to driver error. Drivers may be too tired to drive safely, distracted by a cell phone call or text message, fail to respond to traffic conditions promptly, fail to signal effectively or are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
Use an Experienced Attorney if Considering Claiming Against the City
The financial consequences of a serious car accident can be serious. It is important to pursue a legitimate personal injury claim against a government agency if negligence on the part of an employee or the agency itself is responsible for your injuries. Claims against a government entity are not easy at the best of times and it is advisable to discuss such a claim with an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney before submitting a notice of claim.
Additional Resources
Finding Personal Injury Attorneys in Mesa
Auto Accident Resources in Mesa
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 Mesa, or the state government of Arizona, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
