Atlanta Taxpayers Lose Millions as a Result of Accidents Caused by City Employees

By Grant Law Office on November 21, 2012

When Atlanta car accidents result from the negligence on the part of the city or city employees, it is the taxpayers who foot the bill. According to a news report in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the city has paid more than $3.27 million to settle accident claims since the beginning of 2008. The city has had to settle approximately 730 claims during that time period at an average of $4,500 per settlement.

According to the report, the police, watershed and public works departments accounted for the majority of the settlements. Any time a car accident occurs involving a police officer, for example, the injured victim can file a claim against the city. One woman was paid $405,000 after she suffered severe injuries when an Atlanta police officer crashed into her.

Negligent city drivers are not the only reason why Atlanta officials have had to settle on so many accidents. A man received an $85,000 settlement after he crashed because of the city’s failure to maintain a fire hydrant and adjacent water lines. The water leaked onto the roadway resulting in a patch of ice that caused his car to crash.

There are many potential causes of Atlanta car accidents. It is crucial that injured victims retain the services of a skilled accident lawyer who will help determine how the crash occurred and who should be held accountable for the accident.

The skilled personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. know how to determine liability following an accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Atlanta car accident, please call our offices today at (404) 995-3955 for a free case evaluation.