What Should I Do if I Was Hit by a Government Vehicle?

 Posted on September 19, 2026 in Car Accident

A car accident can be more complicated when the other driver works for a government agency. Government agencies may use self-insurance, insurance coverage, or other risk-management programs rather than handling claims like an ordinary private driver.

Everything from reporting the crash to filing a claim to recovering compensation involves slightly different procedures. If you've been in an accident with a government vehicle in 2026, a Fort Collins, CO car accident attorney can help you navigate the process.

What Types of Vehicles Are Considered Government Vehicles in Colorado?

Government vehicles include many vehicles owned or leased by a public entity and driven by a public employee for work. They can range from passenger cars to large service vehicles and include:

• Police cars and other law enforcement vehicles
• City or county maintenance trucks
• Vehicles operated by a public university
• Municipal garbage trucks
• Public school buses
• State agency vehicles

Crashes involvind federally owned vehicles are handled differently. For example, an accident involving a U.S. Postal Service vehicle generally falls under federal law rather than the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. Different procedures and deadlines apply to those claims.

Can You File an Injury Claim After Being Hit by a Colorado Government Vehicle?

Colorado law protects public entities from personal injury lawsuits, but does allow for some exceptions. Under C.R.S. § 24-10-106, governmental immunity is waived for an injury caused by the operation of a public entity's motor vehicle when a public employee is acting within the scope of employment.

Even when this waiver applies, the injured person still needs to show that the government employee caused the crash and resulting injuries. Special rules apply to certain emergency vehicle operations.

What Should You Do After an Accident With a Colorado Government Vehicle?

After an accident with a government vehicle, get medical care and report the crash to law enforcement. You should also collect information that can help document how the accident happened and which agency was involved:

• Take photos of the vehicles and crash scene.
• Get contact information from witnesses.
• Record the government agency and vehicle information.
• Keep copies of your medical records and accident documents.

Pay close attention to the name of the government agency that employed the driver. Colorado requires notice to be submitted as directed by law, so identifying the correct public entity is an important step in protecting your claim.

How Long Do You Have to Report a Claim Against a Colorado Government Entity?

According to C.R.S. § 24-10-109, a person with a claim covered by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act must provide written notice within 182 days after discovering the injury. This notice deadline is separate from the time limit for filing a lawsuit.

The written notice must contain information required by the statute, including a description of the injury and the circumstances of the claim. It must also be submitted to the proper government office.

This requirement can create problems when an injured person waits to investigate the crash. Giving notice to the wrong public entity can also put a claim at risk. An attorney can help make sure your claim is filed correctly.

Does the Colorado Government Vehicle Driver Have to Be at Fault for the Crash?

A government employee must have caused or contributed to the collision for the injured person to recover damages based on that employee's conduct. Just because a government agency owns the vehicle does not make the agency automatically responsible.

For example, an on-duty city employee could cause a crash by running a red light while driving a government vehicle. The employee's failure to obey the traffic signal could support a finding that they were at fault for the collision.

Emergency vehicles require additional consideration. Colorado law has special rules for police cars, fire vehicles, and ambulances when they are responding to emergencies.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Government Vehicle Accident in Colorado?

When governmental immunity is waived and the public entity is liable, an injured person can seek compensation for losses caused by the accident. These losses typically include medical costs and any income lost while recovering from injuries.

Compensation can also address the physical and personal effects of an injury, including pain and suffering. Serious injuries can lead to future losses when they require ongoing treatment or affect the person's ability to work.

Colorado also limits how much an injured person can recover from a public entity. The cap depends on when the claim arose and whether one or multiple people were injured in the same incident.

Contact a Larimer County, CO Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation

If you were in an accident with a government vehicle, the procedures and deadlines can be a little trickier to navigate than an ordinary car accident claim. Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. will investigate the collision and help you take the required steps for seeking compensation from a public entity.

Contact a Fort Collins, CO car accident lawyer for a free consultation, or call 970-225-2190. Se habla español.