Imagine you are driving to work like you do every day, when suddenly something falls and crushes your car with you and your kids inside it. KXAN News reports this is exactly what happened to Stephanie Hawkins. While stopped at a red light, a large Texas Department of Transportation sign fell and landed on her vehicle. The sign left several dents which resulted in thousands of dollars in damages to her car.

Stephanie, like most people, assumed that the Texas Department of Transportation or TxDOT would take responsibility for the sign and pay for damages. TxDOT, although they do agree it is their fault, says they won’t be paying. Why? Because the government says they don’t have to.

After reporting the sign and sending in a quote for the damages to TxDOT, Stephanie received a response letter with some shocking and outraging information. The letter basically states “Yes, we are responsible for the damages, but we are not going to pay for them because we are protected by the government.”  Read Stephanie’s story to find out what exactly the government is protecting and whether these laws that cost Americans thousands should be allowed.