The first step in the injury claims process is figuring out who is responsible for your accident. This is easy to determine in some cases: you are driving down the road when someone slams into the side of your car because they were texting on their phone. Clearly, the driver was engaging in negligent conduct, which gives you the right to sue them. However, what happens if you are injured on a property that’s owned by the city of Tulare, California? What is the legal process if a city emergency vehicle hits your car, or your child gets hurt at a public school due to a dangerous condition?
These situations involve careless or reckless conduct by the government, which means you will need to seek compensation from a public entity. This process comes with various challenges, including how to file an accident claim against the city of Tulare. Even if you have experience with monetary claims against private individuals and businesses, the process for suing the government is quite different, which is why it’s essential to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
At Normandie Law Firm, we know what it takes to persevere in a government agency accident claim and recover the settlement you deserve. Bringing you justice is what motivates us, and we will not rest until the city is held accountable for your injuries. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation to learn about your rights and legal options.
How to File an Accident Claim against the City of Tulare
The process of suing the city or Tulare begins with a notice of claim, which you must file within 6 months of the date of your accident. The form can be downloaded from the city’s website at https://www.tulare.ca.gov/ or from the Risk Management Office at Tulare City Hall. You can drop off the completed application in person or mail it to the address indicated on the forms. If you are mailing the forms, it’s a good idea to use priority or certified mail, which will provide you with confirmation of delivery.
Make sure to be clear and detailed in your answers, especially on questions pertaining to your injuries and the cause of your accident. Keep in mind that the city’s number one goal is to avoid paying your claim, so they will look for any excuse to deny your request. Not providing enough details or a clear enough explanation of how the city is responsible will most likely cause your claim to be rejected. Most injury victims find that it’s in their best interest to work with an experienced accident injury lawyer from the very beginning.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
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$1.5 Million
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$734,851
I Filed my Claim – What Happens Now?
From the date that your accident claim is processed by the city, they have 45 days to send you a response. This can take place in the form of an approval, which means they will pay you the requested amount or ask you to settle for a lower amount. If you are offered a settlement, make sure to discuss your options with an attorney to ensure that you’re making an informed decision.
The other possibility is that your claim will be rejected, which means you will receive a denial notice through the mail. Alternatively, you will not hear back from the city at all within 45 days, which constitutes a rejection of your claim by default. At this point, you will need to do one of two things:
- If your claim was rejected in writing, you have 6 months from the rejection date to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- If your claim is denied by default due to the city’s failure to respond within 45 days, you have 2 years from your accident date to file a lawsuit.
Accidents Caused by the City of Tulare
The city government of Tulare, California consists of agencies, officials, and employees that are responsible for inspecting and maintaining various properties, including city parks, public schools, and sidewalks. They are also responsible for the conduct of their employees while they’re performing a job-related duty. When a city agency or someone acting on their behalf fails in their duty of care, they may be liable for causing one of these accidents:
- Car accidents with emergency vehicles (including pedestrian accidents)
- Slip and fall
- Trip and fall
- Falling object accidents
- Injuries at public schools
- Assault and battery
- Sexual assault
Do I have the Right to Sue the City?
The basis of any personal injury lawsuit is “negligence,” which refers to an individual’s failure to exercise reasonable care. This can mean a lot of things when it comes to a city government, so let’s look at one example:
You are walking through a city park when you are struck by a tree branch, which causes you to suffer multiple injuries. The city has received complaints in the past about falling tree branches, as well as cracks in the trunk, which are signs of rotting and decay. However, the city failed to act on this issue, and as a result, you have been struck by a falling tree branch.
Clearly, the city was negligent in its duty to take care of the trees, which gives you the right to sue them for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and other qualifying damages. However, liability is not always so easy to determine, and some cases will be much more difficult to prove than others. A seasoned personal injury lawyer can work through these issues on your behalf, so please contact our law firm as soon as possible.
Free Second Opinion Consultations
Could you use some advice from one of our attorneys on a pending injury claim against the city of Tulare? It’s perfectly reasonable to seek another attorney’s advice before making an important decision, like whether you should accept a settlement offer. You may also be unhappy with your law firm and want to know if switching lawyers would be helpful to your case. We are happy to meet with you for a free second opinion, where we can discuss all your questions and concerns. That’s right – this service is 100% free here at Normandie Law Firm, so please contact us to schedule a second opinion consultation.
City of Tulare Lawsuit Settlement Values
An unexpected accident puts a huge strain on your finances, so it’s only natural that you’re curious about the potential amount you can receive from a successful lawsuit. While many clients ask us for an average value for these cases, there’s no universal dollar amount that can make up for every victim’s losses. That’s why a government lawsuit settlement may be worth anywhere from $25,000 to several million dollars, based on many circumstances that are unique to each victim. For a case value that’s specific to your own accident, contact us to schedule a free case review.
How long will it take to Settle my Claim?
As an accident victim, your primary goal is to receive payment for your injuries as soon as possible. As your legal advocates, we will do everything we can to recover your settlement within 6 months of submitting your accident claim. There are instances where we get lucky, and a case is settled in just a few weeks. However, your case may take significantly longer to resolve if a lawsuit is necessary, due to the city rejecting your compensation claim. Based on the legal issues that we need to work through, securing a settlement or verdict can take 1 or more years.
Schedule a Free Case Review
While the government does enjoy a certain level of immunity from lawsuits, they cannot escape responsibility when their negligence causes injury to an innocent victim. The California Tort Claims Act allows you to take legal action against the city of Tulare, but the process of suing the government is undeniably complicated. Consulting an experienced California accident lawyer is the best way to protect your rights and obtain the funds you are entitled to.
Most accident victims want to reach out to an attorney, but the cost of legal fees holds them back from making that call. You won’t be charged for any of our services here at Normandie, as all our attorneys work on contingency. The cost of representing you is paid by the city of Tulare, and that only happens if we successfully recover your settlement. If not, you won’t be responsible for any legal fees, thanks to the Zero Fe Guarantee.
Please reach out to us at our office to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys.
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