From police cars and fire trucks to ambulances and school buses, you likely see government vehicles every day while driving around Belleville. What happens when these official vehicles are involved in collisions? A Belleville car accident lawyer can explain what you need to know in these situations and support you in seeking compensation for your injuries.
Examples of Government Vehicles
A government vehicle is any vehicle a state, local, or federal employee uses to do their job. Common examples of government vehicles include:
- Police cars
- Fire trucks
- Ambulances
- City buses
- Garbage trucks
- Postal service trucks
- Road maintenance vehicles
- State-owned pickup trucks or SUVs
- Military transport vehicles
- Public utility vehicles
When Is the Government Liable for an Accident?
A local, state, or federal government agency could be liable for an accident if the crash happened while a government employee was doing their job. The employee must have been acting within the scope of their official duties, such as driving a city bus on its route, operating a postal truck, or responding to an emergency in a police car or ambulance.
Sometimes, the government could be responsible for a crash even if the employee wasn’t driving an official vehicle. For example, suppose a government worker caused an accident in their personal car while making deliveries for their job or traveling between assigned sites. In that case, the government might still be on the hook.
Special Rules for Car Accidents Involving Government Vehicles
Car accident claims involving government vehicles or employees involve unique rules and procedures you must understand to protect your rights. The most important of these special rules is the deadlines in these cases.
For instance, the usual deadline for personal injury lawsuits in Illinois is two years from your injury date. However, Illinois law sets the deadline for claims against government agencies at one year from the injury date in most circumstances.
There is also a separate deadline for claims against federal government agencies or employees. In these cases, the Federal Tort Claims Act requires you to file an administrative claim with the applicable agency within two years. If the agency rejects your claim or takes no action within six months, you must file a lawsuit within six years of the denial or the agency’s failure to act.
Compensation in Car Accident Claims Involving Government Vehicles
In most cases, Illinois law limits your compensation in a case against the government to $2 million. However, state law includes an exception for claims involving state-controlled vehicles operated by state employees.
In the absence of any legal prohibitions on your compensation, how much money you could recover depends on your injuries and other factors specific to your situation. Your claim could include compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Damaged personal property (including the cost to repair or replace your vehicle)
What to Do After an Accident Involving a Government Vehicle
You have no time to lose if you want to recover compensation after an accident involving a government vehicle. Here’s how to protect your rights after the crash:
- Call 911 to report the crash
- Get the name and contact information for the driver, along with the agency they work for
- Seek immediate medical attention and follow your doctor’s orders
- Don’t discuss the accident publicly or on social media
- Don’t speak to any government workers or insurance companies without talking to a lawyer first
- Contact an Illinois car accident attorney
Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C., has extensive experience with these cases and knows the rules for claims against government agencies. Let our team handle your legal claim while you focus on healing. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.