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We all know what happens when we see typical car accidents happening, but in the case of government vehicles, things can be really different. There are a lot of unique factors that play a role when it comes to the involvement of government vehicles in car accidents.
The determination of liability in cases with government vehicles can be a very challenging exam. Also, when it comes to filing the claims, it usually involves procedures that are quite different from the usual personal injury claim.
An auto accident lawyer in Houston TX can help you with the understanding of such cases and can help you get out of the complexities in the best ways possible.
Types of Government Vehicles Affected in Car Accidents
There can be a different number of government vehicles that can be impacted by the accidents on the roads. These can be:
Public Transport: Trams, buses, and related vehicles are seen a lot on the roads that are considered to be government public transport. Now, the accidents that occur in such transport systems can be very complex and difficult to deal with. These usually are seen affecting a huge chuck of people and have very severe side effects.
Emergency Vehicles: Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances are included in this category of emergency vehicles. As a result of an emergency, these vehicles may be involved in accidents that raise issues related to the use of sirens and dedication to traffic rules.
Delivery or Post Vehicles: Post services that are handled by the government by the use of vehicles are very common on the roads. These vehicles can also be a part of the accident just like any other vehicle on the road.
Challenges Concerning Government Vehicles
One of the doctrines that play a very important role in the case of government vehicle accidents is sovereign immunity. This is one of those concepts that can give rise to a lot of challenges.
If we look at history, this is one of the doctrines that states that there is no way a citizen can file a complaint against any government or federal system. But this has progressively improved a lot and has become less common, which is why many jurisdictions have passed laws that provide the opposite of the rule.
So, in such cases, when it comes to filing a claim, this can get very challenging as the claimants can mild the procedure according to them, which does not serve in favor of the parties injured in such cases.
Filing a Claim for Government Vehicle Car Accidents
There are some special considerations that one needs to take whenever it comes to government vehicle accidents. The whole process does differ from the usual process where there is the case of normal vehicles.
There is a specific process for the claims to be filed. It is mentioned below.
The Notice
A lot of jurisdictions demand a notice of claim with the involvement of the entity of the government. This is known to be a formal statement that notifies the entity about the purpose of the injured party and the damages that they have endured.
Specific details about the claim, e.g., its date and place of the event, a summary of the injuries or casualties held in regard to this accident, as well as the level of compensation demanded, must be made part of the Notice of Claim.
Tight Deadlines
When it comes to filing a claim against one of the government entities, the very big concern that comes to mind is the meeting of the deadlines. Just like the statute of limitation, the Notice of Claim is way shorter in the time frame as far as filing a claim is concerned.
It also depends on all on the type of government you are a part of or the jurisdiction that is followed in the areas where you are. These deadlines can differ from a few months and can go on for months. Definitely, the factors affecting it hold a lot of importance.
If any of these deadlines is missed or is not taken seriously, it means that the injured party loses their right to sue the government.
So, in short, it must be understood well that the resolution of a claim with a government entity is never easy. It does come with its own complexities and challenges that must be understood by the parties involved in the accident.
Also Read: How a Child Injury Lawyer Can Help with Birth Injury Cases?
Conclusion
All of the car accidents that occur in government vehicles can be very tricky to deal with. However, in the case of the other vehicles, this is one of the easiest pathways that must be followed by everyone. In such cases, the role of a lawyer can be very important. they can help you get through the tough procedure in very little time without you missing any deadlines.