How to Sue the Government for Oakland Accidents

When you see an ambulance, a fire truck, or even a police helicopter, there is an assumption that these vehicles will be operated safely. However, it is important to remember that the people operating these vehicles are human, just like the rest of us. They might be qualified to fight crime or put out fires, but they are still more than capable of crashing and injuring innocent people. We have learned this lesson time and time again in Oakland, and the city has been dealing with an onslaught of crashes involving publicly-owned vehicles. Unfortunately, some of these crashes have resulted in deaths and serious injuries.

What exactly can you do if you have been injured by one of these vehicles? In a normal situation, the answer would be quite simple: you sue the person responsible and receive a settlement for your injuries, your emotional distress, and your missed wages. But what happens if the negligent party represents the government? What happens when you need to sue the city of Oakland instead of an average motorist? The truth is that the legal process can become a little more complicated in this situation.

This is exactly why you need to work with the most qualified, experienced personal injury attorney you can find in Oakland. With help from one of our professionals, you can strive for the best possible results – even if you are forced to sue the city. It is best to get in touch with one of our lawyers as soon as possible after your accident, as the statute of limitations can be much shorter when you are suing a government entity. This means that if you wait too long, you may lose the ability to sue.

First Responder Randomly Jumps Out of Ambulance

On February 24th, 2022, it was reported that an ambulance worker had been injured after jumping out of his moving vehicle. He was arguing with the driver and decided to simply exit the vehicle while it was driving down Route 208. Fortunately, another passing first responder delivered aid to the injured worker. The victim allegedly suffered multiple broken bones. While no other people were hurt in this incident, it shows that ambulance workers are capable of erratic decisions that can potentially cause serious accidents. After all, this is a high-stress job.

Woman Killed by Oakland Recycling Truck

On February 3rd, it was reported that a woman had been killed by a recycling truck. The truck was operated by a company that serves both Oakland and San Jose. Apparently, this individual was standing in the middle of the road with her garbage cans when she was struck by the heavy commercial vehicle. According to an official investigation, she happened to be in a blind spot when the driver was traveling down the street. Police looked into the matter and stated that they do not believe the driver was intoxicated at the time. The company that operates the recycling truck issued a statement saying that they are conducting their own investigation. It is likely that the victim’s family members will sue this company.

Oakland Firetruck Crashes into Apartment Building

When most people see a firetruck, they assume that it is there to help – not to crash head-on into their apartment building. But this is exactly what happened on February 26th, when an Oakland fire truck crashed into a condo while trying to reach a fire. Thankfully, no apartment dwellers were harmed, although several firefighters were seriously injured and transported to a nearby hospital. Residents were also asked to leave their building, as the crash had ruptured a water line that was causing flooding. Again, this situation shows that emergency vehicles can easily lose control, especially if they are rushing to the scene of a fire or another high-urgency situation.

Transit Bus Crashes into Oakland Home

Back in October of 2021, an Oakland transit bus crashed into an Oakland home, resulting in eight injuries. The bus driver had apparently become involved in a police chase involving a stolen Toyota Camry. The Camry eventually collided with the bus, causing it to veer into a nearby home. In total, seven passengers were seriously injured, and the bus driver was also transported to a nearby hospital. The homeowner was trapped upstairs for hours due to the damage, and he said that he heard multiple victims screaming amidst the wreckage of the crash. His living room was covered in chunks of plywood, sheetrock, and water due to flood damage. Surprisingly, this is reportedly the fourth time that this particular property has been damaged by cars. Police stated that more needs to be done to make the nearby street corner safer.

Police Helicopter Crashes

On February 20th, it was reported that a police officer had lost his life due to a helicopter crash in Huntington Beach. The helicopter was forced to crash-land about 40 miles south of Los Angeles in open water due to unknown reasons. Police still are not sure what caused the crash, or who was even operating the helicopter when it lost control. Another officer in the vehicle was transported to a nearby hospital with critical injuries.

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney

If you have been searching for a personal injury attorney in the Oakland area, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. Over the years, we have guided numerous injured plaintiffs toward fair, adequate settlements for their injuries. These injuries can be quite severe, and they may prevent victims from ever working again. You need a settlement that can provide you with the income necessary to support yourself as you heal from your injuries. Perhaps more importantly, you also need a settlement that can provide you with compensation for necessary medical treatments. Too often, plaintiffs are left with inadequate settlements that do not meet these requirements. Do not let this happen to you. The city of Oakland should be held accountable for injuries caused by publicly-owned vehicles. Book your consultation today, and we can help you strive for justice, closure, and a fair settlement.