Collision with a Government Vehicle
May 2026
Colliding with a government vehicle - whether it's an Eau Claire County Sheriff, a City of Eau Claire snowplow or an Altoona Police cruiser adds a layer of complexity that a standard car collision does not have. Under normal circumstances, if a private driver runs a red light and hits you, you proceed by suing their insurance company. However, the rules that apply to the government are different.
Depending upon the type of vehicle (state or local) that was involved in the collision, the rules can change according to statute. The interpretation of these rules require the assistance of counsel. Further, these rules have very short deadline. In fact, some of the time limits can be as short as 120 days. It is very important that you do not delay in seeking experienced legal counsel to assist you with your case sooner rather than later. If you wait too long, you can lose the legal right to bring a claim.
There are further twists in cases involving government vehicles. For instance, punitive damages are not allowed against the government. In addition, the amount of money that you can recover against a government entity is limited pursuant to statute. However, it should be noted that this amount may vary depending upon the type of claim brought against the government.
If you have been injured due the negligence of a government vehicle, do not delay contacting experienced trial counsel. At Herrick & Hart, we have been on the side of the injured since 1951.