Not all personal injury claims are the same. If you are struck by a motor vehicle driven by a negligent driver, there is a chance that you will be able to bring a standard personal injury claim to collect compensation for the injuries that another party caused you. However, your claim will not be like any standard claim if you have been harmed by a government worker or vehicle. These claims involve many different rules and there are things that you should and shouldn’t do after you have been involved in one of these accidents.
There are many types of government vehicles that become involved in accidents every year. Some of these include police vehicles, fire trucks, construction vehicles owned by municipalities, and more. If you have been injured in one of these accidents, you should know that these drivers have a special duty of care that they must abide by and you might have the ability to bring a claim. However, government claims are much different from other claims, so it is imperative to have a skilled personal injury attorney on your side to help you in the midst of your complex case.
Considerations to Make in Government Personal Injury Claims in West Virginia
Many rules and regulations dictate government injury claims. There are some things you will be able to tell the court and file in your claim when you make a claim against a government entity.
Understanding the Circumstances of the Case: You want to be able to tell your injury attorney as well as the courts what actually happened when your accident occurred without faults in the story. By being honest, you will have more success in your claim when you go to settlement or court over these matters. When you make your initial claim, you want to keep these details short and sweet. For example, you might say something like, “On January 20th, I was injured in an accident after a police driver came through a red light at an intersection on Main Street.” Later on, you will be able to tell the full story.
Describing Your Injuries: On the initial claim that you file with the courts, you might state that you have “neck and back injuries” but, when you go to court, you will be able to explain to them the depth of your injury and what it has done to your life. For instance, perhaps you have not been able to return to work or you will require surgery due to the nature of the accident. These are important aspects that should be mentioned.
Identifying the Parties: If you have details of who caused your accident, you will be able to mention their name in the filings. If you do not know the exact person but you know the entity, you can simply list this. An investigation into the accident will take place.
Pricing Your Case: Always pick a figure that is slightly higher than what you think your case is worth so that you receive absolutely every cent you are asking for. For instance, if you think your damages added up to $10,000, you should request $15,000-20,000. They might try to give you less than what you asked for, so you should start on the high end.
How a West Virginia Personal Injury Attorney Can Assist You
Bringing a personal injury claim might be one of the most difficult things that you have ever faced, but you are not alone. You should never stand without the help of an attorney after a government-caused car accident, as these cases can become entirely complex and you might be left with a complicated claim that is challenging to handle on your own. Please reach out to us at Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner to find out what we can do for you at (304) 713-2014.
