On the busy streets of San Diego, vehicle accidents take place from time to time. The resultant injuries and damages need attention. However, you also have to think of taking legal remedies for compensation. The complications can increase if a govt vehicle is involved in such accidents. This can be more stressful, and you may not have proper legal knowledge of such situations. That is why you must find a suitable car accident lawyer with expertise in winning such cases.
- Why do government vehicle accidents prove to be different?
The legal complexities go up when you get injured in an accident involving a govt car in San Diego. The Sovereign immunity clause comes into the scene. This legal doctrine offers such govt vehicles protection from lawsuits. However, you can take advantage of the California Tort Claims Act.
You can actually sue the government entity responsible for the injury and damage caused by the mishap, but the process is seldom easy. The claims deadline is reduced compared to that of regular car accidents. Dealing with a government agency will be tougher than handling a regular accused party. That is why you have to choose a car accident lawyer with care.
- What type of government cars are usually involved in car accidents?
In San Diego, various government cars are involved in accidents. The common ones are police cars, fire trucks and ambulances, garbage trucks, and mail trucks. They may collide with other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists in residential areas and highways.
- Determining the responsibility in government vehicle accidents
Determining the liability for accidents involving government vehicles in San Diego can be tedious. A car accident attorney San Diego has to assess several factors for this.
- If the government car driver was on duty at the time of the accident, the government agency may be held responsible. If the driver was off duty, it may be deemed personal responsibility from a legal angle.
- If the evidence points to a poorly maintained vehicle, the govt agency can be held liable for the accident.
- If the car involved in the accident was an emergency vehicle, traffic rules may not apply. Again, this can be a tricky legal area to handle. The legal experts use their skills and knowledge of the local laws to determine the responsibility in such cases.
The importance of taking quick action
After you get injured in an accident involving a government vehicle, do not waste time. Apart from seeking proper medical treatment, report the incident and find a suitable attorney. Such legal experts will guide you well regarding the next steps, including gathering the evidence, dealing with the law, filing the claim in time, etc. Incidentally, as per Californian law, such claims have to be made within 6 months.
Final words
Do not skip a thorough assessment to hire a lawyer to fight accident cases involving government cars. Find out if the legal expert has tackled such cases successfully. A detailed consultation will help you learn about the legal nuances and determine the suitability.
