Located in Northern Santa Barbara County, the city of Santa Maria is the county’s most populous city, with a population of 109,707 as of 2020. Founded in 1874, the city is known for its vineyards and wineries, as well as the Santa Maria-style barbecue.
With a large population of residents and tourists throughout the year, there is always the possibility of someone being injured in an accident. Some of these are simply a case of bad luck, but what if a failure to act or take preventative measures by the city is the reason for an accident? What if there are security issues on city property that resulted in an innocent victim being physically or sexually assaulted? Injuries and property loss / damage can also be blamed on carelessness or willful misconduct by a city employee.
Examples of incidents that be caused by the city’s negligence or misconduct include:
- Slip and fall / trip and fall accidents
- Injuries from broken or loose sidewalks
- Accidents caused by city workers (hit by a city vehicle, property damage by city contractors)
- Injury at a park (especially from falling branches or trees)
- Assault and battery / sexual assault
Were you injured on a property owned by the city of Santa Maria, or did someone that works for the city cause you bodily harm or property damage? You may have grounds to file a claim and receive compensation for your monetary losses. However, there is a very strict time limit when it comes to lawsuits against the government, so you must take action right away. Contact the personal injury lawyers of Normandie to initiate an accident claim against the city of Santa Maria.
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Can I Sue a City Government if I am Injured in an Accident?
Yes, you can sue a government entity for careless or reckless conduct that caused you harm and suffering. You can also file a claim for damage to personal property, like your home or vehicle. However, there is a specific process that’s involved when you are suing a state, county, or city government in the state of California. These procedures are outlined in the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA), which we can discuss with you in detail during a free case evaluation. For now, we will go over the main topics that apply to your rights and legal options.
Keep reading if you would like more information on the following questions:
- How do I file an accident claim against the city of Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County?
- How long do I have to submit a claim for compensation against the city?
- What can I do if the city refuses to pay for my medical bills and other monetary damages?
How to File a City of Santa Maria Compensation Claim
If you were suing a private entity, like a business owner, you would file an accident claim with their insurance company. With a city government, you must obtain a claim form and submit the paperwork with supporting documentation to prove that you are entitled to compensation.
Start by downloading the Claim against the City of Santa Maria form and filling out the required information. You will be asked to supply evidence to show your monetary losses and how the city is at fault for the incident. Proving these elements can be very challenging, so we recommend talking to a lawyer who is experienced with accident or property loss claims against government agencies in California.
Once everything is completed, send the forms and attached documents to the address listed on the Instructions page (page 1 of the application).
6 Month Deadline to Submit a City of Santa Maria Accident Claim
That’s right – you only have 6 months to file a claim for monetary damages if you are suing the city of Santa Maria for injuries and/or property damage. This is the law in California under the CTCA, so there are no exceptions that can provide you with an extension if you don’t submit your claim within 6 months from the date of injury or property loss.
Personal injury lawsuits in California typically have a deadline of 2 years from whenever the victim is injured or discovers an injury that resulted from the accident. Unfortunately, the time limit to sue the government is much shorter, so please don’t delay in contacting us and starting a city of Santa Maria compensation claim as soon as possible.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Sue the City of Santa Maria?
There is no legal requirement that says you have to get a lawyer if you wish to sue the city of Santa Ana for negligence that caused you to be injured. However, the legal process for a city government lawsuit is extremely complicated, and most people are overwhelmed right from the start. That’s why so many of these claims are rejected by the city, since they are able to point out mistakes, missing information, or lack of legal basis that can be used to reduce or eliminate their liability.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you avoid the hassle of a rejected claim, or help you transition to a lawsuit in the event of a rejection. It’s also worth noting that on average, those with legal representation receive 2 to 3 times more than accident victims without attorneys. With that in mind, please take a moment to schedule a free consultation and learn about the ways we can assist you here at Normandie Law Firm.
How Long Does it Take to Hear Back from the City?
From the point of receiving your claim, the city must get back to you within 45 days with a written notice. You may get an acceptance letter, which means the city government has accepted liability and will pay you the required amount. What happens, though, if you get a rejection notice?
First, don’t panic, as rejections are very common. After all, the city’s priority is to save money by finding any excuse to avoid paying you, so this is to be expected. At this point, you have 6 months to file a lawsuit through the court system, starting from the date on the rejection notice.
In rare instances, you may not get any type of response at all within the 45 day waiting period. Legally, this is a rejection by default, which means you have 2 years from the incident date if you wish to go ahead with a lawsuit. Please be aware that these deadlines are absolute and failing to stick to them will invalidate your right to sue. To ensure that you do not miss out on the payment you deserve by law, contact our attorneys to initiate a City of Santa Maria compensation claim.
Settlement Value for a City of Santa Maria Accident Claim
The amount of compensation from a city government accident claim can range from $15,000 to $2,000,000 or more, depending on numerous factors such as:
- The injuries sustained by the victim
- The impact of those injuries on the victim’s life
- The total sum of current and future monetary losses
- The act of negligence or misconduct that caused or contributed to the accident
Many of the cases we handle involve serious, long-term injuries that result in missed days from work, extensive medical bills, and significant pain and suffering. As a result, many of the clients we represent receive between $100,000 and $1,500,000, but these are just estimates at the end of the day. For a case value that’s based on your own circumstances, please schedule a free case review by contacting our office.
How Long Do these Cases Take to Settle?
A city of Santa Maria injury claim usually takes 1 to 2 years to resolve, which is typical with lawsuits that are filed against the government. Now and then, we are able to negotiate a favorable settlement in 6 months or less, but the average timeline to reach a settlement is at least 12 months. Clients sometimes worry about the prospect of going to trial, but this is very unlikely. From decades of experience, we can tell you that around 95% of all personal injury lawsuits are settled privately, either through direct negotiations or meetings with a certified mediator. In the rare event that a trial is required, it can take over 3 years for the victim to receive compensation from a lawsuit against the city of Santa Maria.
Contact Our Law Firm
Reaching out to an accident injury attorney is crucial to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve as the victim of negligence by a city agency or one of its workers. We are a contingency fee law firm with a Zero Fee Guarantee, so you won’t pay a single dime in legal fees if you decide to hire us. This is paid by the city of Santa Maria as long as we prove that they are liable for your injuries. And if we fail to win your case, you won’t be billed for a single penny in legal fees.
Our attorneys are ready to answer your questions and guide you through the legal process during a free case evaluation, so contact us today.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How to File an Accident Injury Case against the City of Malibu
How to File an Accident Injury Claim against the City of Anaheim Hills
How to File an Accident Injury Claim against the City of Fallbrook, CA
