The liability of the city is set and limited by state law. Generally, the city is liable only for specific acts of negligence in responding to dangerous conditions, not for the dangerous conditions themselves. For example, the city is liable if it does not repair a pothole within a reasonable time after discovering it - the city is not responsible for keeping the streets free of potholes. The law also imposes strict requirements for filing claims. Claims involving streets (potholes, etc) must be filed within 30 days of the incident. If you believe you meet the legal criteria for a claim against the city, you should file a claim against the city.