When a municipal or government-operated truck crashes into a passenger vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian, the impact goes far beyond physical damage. A collision involving a garbage truck, snowplow, utility vehicle, city bus, or road commission truck can shatter lives in an instant. These vehicles are massive, operate in dense urban neighborhoods, and often move unpredictably—creating conditions where innocent people are blindsided by catastrophic force.

Victims of municipal truck crashes often face the same painful injuries and financial strain as any serious collision, but with an added layer of stress: the driver works for the city, county, or state. Suddenly, you’re no longer up against a private insurance company—you’re up against a government agency with legal protections, procedural barriers, and teams trained to deny or minimize your claim.

But here in Michigan, government entities are not above the law. State statutes, including the motor vehicle exception to governmental immunity, allow injured people to pursue justice when a public employee negligently operates a government-owned vehicle. You can hold the responsible agency accountable. You can demand compensation. And you do not have to fight city hall alone.

Who May Be Liable in a Municipal Truck Collision

Municipal Employee Driver

A city, county, or state employee may be liable for:

• Operating a vehicle negligently
• Failing to follow safety or operational protocols
• Driving distracted, fatigued, or recklessly
• Mishandling specialized equipment such as snowplows, garbage lifts, or hydraulic arms

When a government employee is negligent within the scope of their employment, Michigan law allows the injured party to pursue damages.

City, County, or State Government Agency

While government agencies often attempt to hide behind immunity, they can be held responsible under Michigan’s “motor vehicle exception.” This applies when:

• The negligent operation of a government-owned vehicle causes injury
• A municipal employee fails to drive with reasonable care
• The vehicle was improperly operated or controlled

This opens the door for victims to pursue claims against agencies responsible for sanitation trucks, public transit, road commission equipment, and more.

Private Contractors

Many municipal services are outsourced to private companies—especially trash collection, road maintenance, tree trimming, and utility repairs. When a contractor’s employee causes the crash, the private company may be liable for:

• Negligent hiring
• Improper training
• Unsafe operating procedures

We identify whether the driver was a city employee or a contracted worker—because liability differs drastically.

Maintenance Providers

Fleet maintenance is mandatory for government vehicles. When a maintenance company fails to:

• Properly inspect brakes, hydraulics, or steering systems
• Address worn parts
• Identify dangerous defects

they may share responsibility for the crash. Poorly serviced municipal fleets cause countless avoidable injuries on Michigan roads.

Vehicle or Equipment Manufacturers

If a municipal truck’s components fail—brakes, hydraulics, steering mechanisms, sensors, or automated systems—the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law. Defects in heavy-duty equipment can turn a routine route into a disaster.

Understanding Governmental Immunity in Michigan

Michigan’s Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA)

Under the GTLA, government agencies are generally protected from lawsuits. However, there are specific exceptions. One of the most important is the motor vehicle exception, which allows injury claims when:

• A government employee
• Operating a government-owned motor vehicle
• Negligently causes an accident

This exception is the foundation for most municipal truck accident claims.

The Motor Vehicle Exception

To qualify under this exception, an attorney must show:

• The vehicle was owned by a government agency
• The driver was acting within the scope of employment
• Negligent operation directly caused the injury

Marko Law is highly experienced in proving these critical elements.

Shortened Notice-of-Claim Deadlines

Claims against government entities involve strict deadlines, much shorter than standard personal injury cases. Victims must:

• Provide written notice
• Include specific details of the crash
• File within a set timeframe or risk losing their claim entirely

These deadlines are unforgiving—early legal representation is essential.

Damage Limitations

Some municipal claims have statutory caps or restricted categories of compensation. A skilled attorney can:

• Challenge improper application of damage limits
• Identify alternative avenues for compensation
• Ensure full damages are pursued under every applicable law

We fight to reveal all recoverable losses—even when the government attempts to minimize them.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Municipal Truck Accident

Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation

Even if your injuries feel manageable, internal trauma, concussions, and soft tissue injuries can worsen rapidly. Medical records become crucial evidence when pursuing a claim against a government agency.

Report the Crash to Law Enforcement

Always involve police, even if municipal employees suggest handling it “internally.”
Obtain:

• The incident report number
• The responding officer’s name
• Any initial findings noted at the scene

Photograph Everything You Can

When it’s safe:

• Take wide and close-up shots of vehicle damage
• Capture skid marks, debris, weather, and road conditions
• Photograph municipal truck identifiers (fleet number, department markings, license plate)

Collect Witness Information

Witness testimony is powerful in municipal cases, especially when government employees attempt to shift blame. Gather:

• Names
• Phone numbers
• Statements or quick video recordings (if willing)

Avoid Speaking With City Representatives or Insurance Adjusters

Municipal agencies frequently send risk managers, supervisors, or internal adjusters to control the narrative. Their goal is simple: protect the government.
Politely decline conversations until you have legal representation.

Contact a Municipal Accident Lawyer Immediately

Government claims come with strict, unforgiving deadlines, including short notice requirements. Evidence can disappear quickly—dashcam footage, GPS logs, and maintenance records are often overwritten in days, not months. Fast legal action can make or break your case.

How Marko Law Builds a Strong Municipal Truck Accident Case

Evidence Preservation

We immediately send formal preservation letters to:

• Prevent destruction of dashcam or bodycam footage
• Secure onboard GPS or telematics data
• Freeze driver logs, maintenance reports, route sheets, and dispatch communications

Government departments are notorious for overwriting records quickly—our rapid response protects your case.

Vehicle & Policy Review

We dig into the inner workings of the agency by examining:

• Driver training and certification files
• Fleet maintenance records
• Internal manuals and operational policies
• Route assignments and work orders

This often reveals systemic safety failures, understaffing, or improper supervision.

Accident Reconstruction

Using specialized experts, we analyze:

• Vehicle positions and movement
• Road conditions and visibility
• Municipal equipment operation (plow angles, hydraulic arms, braking systems)
• Impact points and collision forces

Reconstruction helps counter government attempts to blame weather, traffic, or victims.

Government Records Requests

We file FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests to obtain:

• Prior complaints about the driver
• Safety violations or disciplinary history
• Fleet inspection results
• Internal incident reports

These records often expose a pattern of negligence the government would prefer to keep quiet.

Witness & Expert Collaboration

We work with:

• Medical experts to explain the full extent of injuries
• Vocational specialists to address lost earning capacity
• Municipal operations experts to testify about improper procedures
• Economic experts to quantify long-term damages

This combination builds a complete, compelling picture of your losses.

Compensation Available in Municipal Truck Accident Claims

Past and Future Medical Expenses

Including surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medications, assistive devices, and lifelong medical care.

Lost Wages & Diminished Earning Capacity

If injuries prevent you from working or reduce your ability to earn in the future, these financial losses can be recovered.

Pain, Suffering & Emotional Distress

Municipal truck crashes often cause:

• Chronic pain
• Anxiety or PTSD
• Sleep disturbances
• Loss of daily enjoyment

Permanent Disability or Impairment

Government vehicle crashes often involve heavy machinery, making catastrophic injuries more common. Compensation reflects the impact of permanent limitations on your life.

Property Damage

Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and other damaged property.

Home Care or Long-Term Rehabilitation

These damages may include:

• In-home nursing
• Mobility support
• Home modifications

Wrongful Death Damages

If a loved one is killed by a government-operated vehicle, families may seek:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of financial support
• Pain and suffering damages permitted under Michigan law

Justice for Every Michigan Resident

When a government-operated truck causes devastation, many victims feel intimidated, unheard, or unsure where to turn. But you do not have to take on city hall—or any government entity—by yourself. The law is clear: public agencies can be held accountable when their drivers or their departments cause harm. And with strict deadlines and complex immunity rules, getting the right legal team involved quickly can make all the difference.

At Marko Law, our strength is standing up to powerful institutions. We know how municipal agencies operate, how they defend these cases, and where negligence hides inside government systems. Our team brings the courtroom experience, investigative firepower, and unwavering dedication needed to go toe-to-toe with public entities—because Michigan residents deserve fairness, dignity, and a voice that won’t be ignored.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

Phone: +1-313-777-7777
Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
Website: https://www.markolaw.com/
Our Team: https://www.markolaw.com/staff‍