Prince William County Car Accident Attorney Assists Clients File Against Government Vehicles

If you or a loved one has been in an accident with a government vehicle, such as an ambulance, a city bus, or a police car, you should know that filing a claim against the government is more complicated than filing against a private party. Governmental immunity, also known as sovereign immunity, means that a government agency or employee can escape liability for certain actions or omissions, even in situations in which a private person or entity would be held liable for damages. In order to file a claim against a government agency or employee, you need to act fast, and you need to contact experienced Northern Virginia car accident attorney Michael Driscoll to assist you in successfully getting through this process.

Sovereign Immunity

Governments typically create an exemption from sovereign immunity for accidents involving government-owned vehicles. However, they may require the demonstration of a greater level of culpability than would be required in a typical accident case. It can be very difficult to sustain a lawsuit against a government agency for an accident which occurs while a governmental emergency vehicle has its siren and overhead lights activated. You need Fairfax, VA personal injury attorney Michael Driscoll to help you prove what really happened, and why you deserve compensation.

Immunity for Governmental Workers

If a government worker causes a car accident while on the job, many states allow a lawsuit to be permitted against the worker. However, the injured plaintiff usually has to demonstrate a higher level of culpability by the worker in order to recover damages, such as having to prove the worker caused the accident due to “gross negligence” instead of the simple negligence more typically required in accident cases.

Each state has its own time limits within which you have to file a formal claim against a government entity. In Virginia, some limits are as short as 30 days after the accident, although most are six months. No matter what your situation, it is crucial that you not wait until the last minute to file your claim. Manassas, VA government vehicle accident lawyer Michael Driscoll will help you file your claim in a timely manner.

Call Attorney Driscoll Today

Filing a claim against a government vehicle is no small task. Shorter deadlines to file, the complexities of “government immunity”, and stricter rules for proving negligence all require that you have a top-notch Virginia attorney on board to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact Northern Virginia Car Accident Lawyer Michael Driscoll today at (703) 659-44235 to begin discussing your case.