Can Victims Sue the Government Over a Car Accident Injury?
Car accidents are complicated enough, but when you get the government involved, the complexity of your case increases tenfold. It should come as no surprise that any personal injury case involving a local or federal government entity requires careful handling and legal expertise, given the variety of laws put in place to protect government entities from unnecessary lawsuits.
If you have been injured in a car accident and you believe the government is liable for your injuries, there is no time to waste. Contact Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 to discuss your options and set up a consultation.
Liability in a Car Accident
When you seek compensation after a car accident, you must be able to prove that the other party was liable for the accident. Your attorney will use a range of tools to gather evidence, then use that evidence to support your claim. When the liable party is a regular person—rather than a government entity—the process is fairly straightforward and simple.
The attorney connects with the insurance company and asks for an appropriate settlement amount. From there, the two parties negotiate and provide evidence supporting their side until they agree on a settlement amount. If no settlement can be reached, the case proceeds to court.
The process is not quite as simple when a government entity or someone representing a government entity is liable for your injuries.
When a Government Entity is Liable
Consider this scenario. You’re driving and you approach an intersection where you have a green light. You check as you approach the intersection, and it seems safe to go. As you cross the intersection, a driver coming the opposite direction flies through on a left turn, not slowing down at all or checking if the intersection is clear. They hit you on your side and the car rolls over.
After the accident, you find out that the person driving was on government business in a government vehicle. Now, not only do you have injuries and property damage to take care of, you have to do so while going up against a government agency and all the legal hurdles that involves.
When a government agency is liable for your accident, it is important to know exactly who holds liability. This may mean having your attorney conduct extensive research to figure out all the liable parties. Statute of limitation laws vary, so failing to do your research can quite literally cost you your entire case.
Generally, if you suffer an injury caused by someone else’s negligence in Mississippi, you have three years to bring a personal injury claim against them. This is not the case if the government is involved. If the liable party is a Mississippi governmental entity, you have just one year. On a federal level, you have two years.
The Importance of Hiring an Attorney
The issues with a claim against the government extend beyond the statute of limitations. In many cases, there are laws prohibiting certain types of claims or limiting the payout you can receive. That’s why it’s crucial to work with a Mississippi personal injury attorney who knows how to handle claims against government agencies. Your attorney will understand how much time you have to move forward and act accordingly to gather evidence and build a solid case against the appropriate parties.
Your attorney will also know which limitations affect your case and avoid missteps that could cause delays or dismissals. Claims against the government usually work under a different set of rules than claims against private parties, and without an attorney who understands these rules, your claim could be over before it is even considered.
So yes, you may be able to seek compensation from the government if they are responsible for the injuries you suffered in a car accident. However, whether or not you actually get compensation depends largely on the circumstances of your case and how skilled your attorney is with these types of claims.
Find Out How Reeves & Mestayer Can Help
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident, hiring a personal injury attorney should be your top priority. The team at Reeves & Mestayer is here to support you every step of the way and fight for the compensation you deserve. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 228-374-5151 or contacting us online.
