Why Claims Involving Government Vehicles Are More Complex in Texas

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough. When the other vehicle belongs to a city, county, state agency, or other government entity, the process becomes even more complicated. Many injured drivers assume they can’t file a claim at all—but that’s not always true.

Texas law allows certain claims against government entities, but strict rules and deadlines apply. Here’s what you need to know if your accident involved a government vehicle.

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Government Vehicles Are Treated Differently Under Texas Law

Normally, government entities are protected by sovereign immunity, meaning they can’t be sued like private individuals. However, Texas has created limited exceptions through the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA).

Under the TTCA, a government entity may be held responsible if:
  • A government employee caused the crash
  • The employee was acting within the scope of their job
  • The accident involved the operation or use of a motor vehicle
If these conditions are met, an injured person may be able to pursue compensation for injuries or property damage.
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Common Examples of Government Vehicles

Government vehicle accidents often involve:

  • City or county vehicles
  • Police cars or sheriff’s vehicles
  • Public works trucks
  • Utility or sanitation vehicles
  • State-owned vehicles

Whether the claim is allowed depends on what the employee was doing at the time of the crash.

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Why “Scope of Employment” Matters

One of the biggest issues in government vehicle cases is whether the driver was working at the time of the accident.

If the employee was:

  • On duty
  • Performing job-related tasks
  • Driving a government vehicle for official business

The TTCA may apply. But if the employee was on a personal errand or acting outside their job duties, the government may remain immune from liability.

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Strict Notice Deadlines Apply


Unlike ordinary car accident claims, Texas law requires formal notice to the government entity. In most cases:


  • Written notice must be provided within six months of the accident
  • The notice must include the time, place, and nature of the incident
  • Some cities require even shorter deadlines under local rules

Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim—no matter how strong the case is.

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Proving Fault Is Still Required


Even when immunity is waived, injured parties must still prove:


  • The government driver was negligent
  • The negligence caused the accident
  • The injuries and damages resulted from the crash

Simply being hit by a government vehicle is not enough to guarantee compensation.

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Why These Cases Are More Complex


Claims involving government vehicles are often more challenging because:


  • Immunity defenses are aggressively used
  • Notice requirements are strictly enforced
  • Damage caps may apply
  • Government insurers scrutinize claims closely

Insurance adjusters may also assume injured drivers don’t understand the law—leading to denied or undervalued claims.


If you were injured in a Texas car accident involving a government vehicle, acting quickly is critical. Our firm can evaluate whether the Texas Tort Claims Act applies, ensure notice requirements are met, and protect your right to compensation.

Contact Wyde & Associates today to understand your options before critical deadlines pass.

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