Dallas-Fort Worth roads are congested not only with privately owned vehicles but with government-owned vehicles as well. From city buses to police cars to Department of Transportation vehicles and beyond, government-owned vehicles are everywhere. And just like private vehicles, they’re sometimes involved in crashes.
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a public vehicle in Texas, you’re probably entitled to compensation. However, getting it requires working with an experienced lawyer who knows how claims against governments are different from claims against ordinary private drivers.
Governments Are Immune From Many Lawsuits, But Not Personal Injury Lawsuits
Generally speaking, governments cannot be sued in civil court due to a doctrine called sovereign immunity. However, Texas law says that auto accidents are an exception to this rule.
Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, governments can be sued for injuries and deaths caused by motorized equipment. Government-owned cars, trucks, SUVs, buses, vans and other vehicles qualify as motorized equipment.
How to Establish a Valid Auto Accident Claim Against a Government Entity
Your Dallas personal injury lawyer will need to present evidence proving all of the following:
- The injury or death resulted from the use of a motorized vehicle.
- The operator of the vehicle was acting within the scope of their employment (i.e., driving for job-related reasons).
- The operator would be personally liable if they had been driving a private vehicle.
The Time Limit Is Very Short, So Don’t Delay
If you need to make a claim against a government entity, you must file a notice of claim within six months of the date of the accident. The time limit is even shorter in some cities.
Because of this short time limit, you should seek out a qualified Texas auto accident lawyer immediately. The lawyer needs to begin preparing your claim as soon as possible. If you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to pursue compensation.
What Is the Definition of a Governmental Entity?
The Texas Tort Claims Act explains what counts as a government entity:
- The state: This includes state agencies, departments, bureaus, boards, commissions, courts, offices and councils.
- Political subdivisions: These include cities, counties, education districts, development districts and more.
- Emergency service organizations: Examples include tax-exempt volunteer fire departments, rescue squads and EMS providers.
- Other: Examples include county hospitals, city hospitals, charter schools and more.
Get Help From Attorneys With Experience in Cases Against the Government
Injury claims against the government are not the same as normal injury cases. Be sure to choose a law firm that knows how to handle these unique claims.
At Ted B. Lyon & Associates in Dallas, our team has decades of experience successfully handling these cases. Call 877-Ted-Lyon or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our lawyers.
