Most drivers don’t prepare for a situation where an accident is caused by poor road infrastructure, and that’s because they’re unaware of the procedure they should follow mostly. Getting into an accident because of poor infrastructure follows a very similar procedure to a regular car accident. Still, in this case, the other party involved in the accident is the road maintenance agency. This means that you’ll be filing a claim against a governmental agency, which makes the steps you need to follow to get compensated just a little more complicated.



Call The Police
The first step you should take whenever you get into a car accident, regardless of the cause, is to call the police and file an incident report. This incident report is crucial for any upcoming steps, so make sure it’s as accurate as possible. In this report, you’re expected to mention the reason the accident occurred and what the damages were. Examine your car thoroughly before finalizing your report as trying to add extra damages found at a later time might harm your case in the future. This is also very important for your insurance agency as it'll make getting your car fixed a lot easier.

Take Lots Of Pictures
Photographic evidence at the scene of the accident is very important when filing a claim against a road maintenance agency. If you find yourself in an accident caused by a mismanaged road, take as many photos of the cause of the accident, your car, and yourself. Capturing the accident from all the angles possible helps you have solid evidence for your case. Just make sure that the photos are taken with good quality and that they capture the necessary information.

File a Legal Claim Before It’s Too Late
When you were filing a legal claim for an accident caused by poorly managed roads, you’ll soon discover it works differently than filing a standard claim. Since the road maintenance agency is a governmental entity, you’ll have a much shorter time to file a claim. The usual timeframe that you’re given to file a claim is 6-months from the time of the accident, so make sure you file one before it’s too late.

Check Your State’s Laws
Every state has different policies regarding filing a lawsuit against a governmental agency. This is because most of the agencies that work for the government are provided with immunity from lawsuits. Bypassing these immunities requires following a standard procedure that differs from state to state. This procedure might require you to fill out another claim, so keeping all the information you’ll need throughout your case within arms reach is highly recommended.

Consult Your Attorney
Figuring out all the information you need regarding the state’s laws can be a challenging task if you don’t have an attorney by your side. Experienced personal injury attorneys over at VilesandBeckman.com always recommend that you have an attorney present with you when filing your claims as they’ll help you fill in the essential information you require to solidify your case. This reduces the chances of any errors or inconsistencies in the paperwork, making it much more difficult for the opposition to get your claim denied due to a technicality.

Fight To Get Your Claim Approved
The battle towards getting the compensation you deserve is a lot more tedious when it’s being fought against a governmental agency. This means that you might have to go out of your way to get some extra evidence to help your case. Interviewing locals around the mismanaged infrastructure can help you uncover vital information regarding the negligence of the maintenance agency, making your case a lot stronger.

Keep Accurate Records Of Damages & Repair Costs
Throughout the claim, make sure you always keep track of everything you paid for, including any medical reports and car repairs you had to pay out-of-pocket for. Keeping all your receipts makes it much easier for you to give an accurate number when you’re asked how much you require as compensation. Uploading these documents to a safe and private place online helps you have access to them wherever you are, even if you don’t have the original copies with you at the moment.



While getting compensated for the damages of poor infrastructure can be a lot more tedious due to requiring compensation from a governmental agency, it’s still your right to be compensated for someone else’s errors. If you’re unsure about how you can get paid, you can always consult an attorney to help you figure out what to do. Reporting potholes and other poorly maintained infrastructure to the local authorities can also help decrease the number of injuries and damages caused to other people.