Hit by a City or Government Vehicle? Here’s What You Need to Know

You may have a general idea of what to do if you’re hit by another driver who is driving their own personal vehicle. You can file a police report, report the accident to the insurance company, and work with them to get the benefits you need. When an accident involves a government vehicle, however, the process is completely different. There are stricter deadlines to follow, and more obstacles in place for seeking the compensation you need to recover. An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate these obstacles.

Were you hurt in a crash involving a city or government vehicle in Alabama? Government vehicles involved in traffic crashes could include:

• Police cars
• Fire trucks
• City buses
• Garbage trucks
• Utility trucks
• Street sweepers
• School buses or other public school vehicles
• Maintenance or construction vehicles
• Any vehicle owned and operated by a city, town, county, or state agency

If you were involved in an accident with one of these vehicles, you could be entitled to compensation from a legal claim. However, filing a claim works differently when state or federal government employees are involved. Alabama law gives local and state governments several legal defenses that make it difficult for injury victims to recover compensation. If you miss a single requirement or fail to complete your claim paperwork correctly, you could lose your chance to file at all.

An experienced lawyer can review what happened and explain whether the law allows you to pursue a car accident claim. If you have a valid case, your attorney can also handle all the legal legwork for your claim and fight for the full compensation available to you under the law.

What Makes Government Vehicle Accidents Different?

Car accident cases involving government vehicles follow different rules than regular car accidents. If you get hit by a city truck, police car, or other public vehicle, you can’t just file a normal insurance claim or lawsuit. Alabama law grants government agencies protections that don’t apply to private drivers. These protections include special claim deadlines, compensation limits, and rules that make it more challenging to hold the government responsible.

If you don’t follow the proper steps or notify the correct parties, the court could throw out your case. Even if the facts seem straightforward, the legal process is often anything but. That’s why you need an attorney who understands the system and can help you move your claim forward the right way.

Who Can Be Held Responsible For a Car Accident Involving Government Vehicles?

Liability can vary depending on which agency or employee caused the crash and what they were doing at the time. If a city employee causes a wreck while driving a garbage truck, the city could be on the hook. If a state worker crashes a car while running errands for a state agency, the state might be liable.

In some cases, more than one party is responsible. For example, if a contractor works with a city agency and causes a crash, you might have a claim against the contractor and the city. An Alabama attorney can help you determine who is liable for the accident and how to file your car accident lawsuit.

How Alabama Law Handles Claims Against the Government

If you have a claim against a government entity in Alabama, state law limits whom you can sue, how much money you can recover, and how much time you have. If a city or town vehicle caused the crash, you must send written notice of your claim within six months (Ala. Code § 11-47-23). That notice must include the date and location of the crash, how it happened, and the compensation you’re seeking (Ala. Code § 11-47-192). The deadline for claims against a county is usually 12 months (Ala. Code § 11-12-8).

If your case goes forward, Alabama limits how much you can recover. The cap is $100,000 per person and $300,000 total per incident for personal injury or death, and $100,000 for property damage (Ala. Code § 11-93-2). These limits apply even in serious injury cases. Claims against the State of Alabama are subject to additional immunity protections, so it’s best to discuss your situation with an attorney if you believe you might have this type of case.

Common Challenges Victims Face

Filing a personal injury claim after a crash with a city or government vehicle in Alabama isn’t the same as filing a claim against a private motorist. The law protects cities, counties, and state agencies in many situations, and even when a claim moves forward, Alabama limits how much money you can recover. Below are some of the most common problems people face when trying to bring one of these claims:

• Tight Deadlines – You usually must send a written notice to the city or county within six months of the crash. If you miss a deadline, the court could throw out your case.
• Special Forms and Filing Rules – Some cities and counties require you to use their forms or send your notice to a specific office. If you don’t follow the right steps, your claim might not count.
• Low Limits on Compensation – Even if you win, Alabama Code § 11-93-2 caps your recovery at $100,000 for one person and $300,000 for two or more people, regardless of injury severity.
• Confusion Over Which Agency Is Responsible – If several departments or contractors were involved, determining whom to file your claim against can take time and legal know-how.

How Stokes Stemle Can Help

Government injury claims in Alabama follow a different set of rules than regular car accident cases. It takes an experienced hand to navigate the bureaucracy and deadlines involved in government-related claims. The experienced lawyers at Stokes Stemle LLC can take over the legal process and deal with the steps most people don’t even know exist. Here are some of the ways our attorneys can help you:

• Reviewing the facts and clarifying whether you might have a valid claim
• Gathering police reports, dash cam footage, and other evidence before it disappears
• Identifying which government agency or department owns the vehicle that hit you
• Calculating your claim value based on medical bills, lost wages, and other losses
• Preparing and filing your written notice of claim on time and in the right format
• Making sure your claim goes to the correct office or department under Alabama law
• Responding to the government’s legal defenses, including immunity arguments
• Negotiating with the government’s insurance adjuster or legal department
• Filing a lawsuit in court if the government denies your claim or refuses to pay

Contact Our Municipal Liability Lawyers for Help

If a city or government vehicle hit you, don’t wait to find out where you stand. The rules in these cases are complex, and a single mistake could cost you the chance to file a claim. The team at Stokes Stemle LLC can review your case and help you explore your options. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation with a municipal liability attorney.