Any driver can cause a serious accident in Cobb County. Everyone is capable of misconduct, negligence, or basic mistakes – including government employees operating government vehicles. Within the past few weeks, numerous government vehicles have been involved in serious crashes throughout Georgia. These accidents have led to various injuries, and they raise an important question: Can you sue a government agency for causing a car crash in Marietta?
Police Chase Injures Pregnant Woman
In June 2024, police reported that one of their pursuits had injured a pregnant woman in Georgia. The pursuit began in South Carolina, and the suspect eventually crossed the border into Georgia. Shortly thereafter, the suspect ran a red light and smashed into a vehicle operated by a pregnant woman. The pregnant woman survived the crash and received transport to a nearby hospital. Authorities stated that she was “okay,” but she obviously suffered some kind of injury as a result of the collision. Her car was reportedly totaled.
Two other vehicles also crashed in the collision, including a police vehicle and a second civilian vehicle. Police noted that the suspect’s vehicle suffered the most intense damage, but he suffered “non-life-threatening” injuries. Despite the fact that the pregnant woman was said to be “okay,” the suspect has been charged with “serious injury by vehicle.” This would imply that the pregnant woman’s injuries are perhaps worse than initial reports indicate. There is no word on whether her unborn baby was affected by the crash.
Police may be downplaying the severity of the pregnant woman’s injuries to avoid responsibility. One might argue that the pregnant woman would not have suffered injuries if the police had called off the chase. This is a common argument made by plaintiffs suing police departments for injuries caused by “collateral damage.”
Fire Truck Collides Head-On With Sedan in Cobb County
In July of 2024, WSB-TV reported that a fire truck had collided head-on with a smaller sedan in Cobb County. The fire truck was reportedly responding to an emergency at the time of the collision with its lights and sirens activated. The collision apparently occurred in the middle of an intersection, although there is no word on who was at fault. Police say that they are investigating the incident in more detail, although a fire truck generally has the right of way when its lights and sirens are activated.
That being said, fire truck drivers still have a legal duty of care when operating their vehicles. A fire truck cannot simply barrel through intersections with no regard for public safety. After all, it does not make sense to have a fire department if it causes more injuries than it prevents.
Can You Sue a Government Agency After a Car Crash in Georgia?
You can sue any negligent party that causes a car accident in Georgia. This includes not only individual drivers but also private companies and government entities. That being said, the procedure for suing a government agency might be slightly different compared to a normal accident lawsuit.