Accidents involving government vehicles can be complicated – but no accident is impossible. Here are the biggest challenges to overcome in these situations.
- If possible, get to a safe place away from the flow of traffic. - Turn the hazard lights on. - Don’t leave the scene.
- Take photos of the vehicles, damage, and surrounding area. - Note the time, location, and any relevant road conditions. - Get contact info of any witnesses.
Get checked by the medical team immediately. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent due to the shock and adrenaline.
Keep your cool when talking with the government employee. Any rash actions here WILL be used against you.
Ask for any witness’s contact information. If they are willing, request a brief account of what they saw.
- Notify the police for an official report. - Inform the relevant government agency. - Don’t wait! This can compromise your claim.
In most cases, victims who don’t hire a car accident lawyer end up with a lowball settlement – or nothing at all.
You’ll need to dive deeper into identifying the at-fault vehicle.
Local government vehicles commonly include:
- City buses - Police cars - Fire trucks - Ambulances - Garbage trucks - Utility vehicles
State government vehicles commonly include:
- Department of Transportation (DOT) maintenance trucks - State police cars - Highway patrol vehicles - Road construction and repair vehicles - Snow plows and salt spreaders
Federal government vehicles commonly include:
- Military vehicles - National security vehicles - Emergency disaster vehicles - USPS trucks
Read the full post to learn more about the next steps after an accident with a government vehicle.
Speak with a Wisconsin car accident injury lawyer in a free consultation.