What Should I Do If I Am Hit By A USPS Mail Truck?*

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A personal injury claim can help reimburse an accident victim for expenses related to injuries sustained in a truck accident. While a monetary award will never undo the damage done by a USPS truck accident, it can help the accident victim afford much needed medical treatment and living expenses while they are out of work recovering.

In some cases, the accident victims must file a personal injury lawsuit in order to receive a fair and just settlement for their claim. Because a USPS truck accident involves the federal government, many people may not understand how to handle a personal injury claim involving a USPS truck.

Because you are dealing with a U.S. government agency rather than the insurance company for a trucking company, you may need an attorney experienced with US Postal Service truck accidents.

What is the USPS Accident Reporting Policy?

Just like the business model followed by Ups and FedEx, the United States Postal Service (USPS) delivers mail and packages to customers. However, as a federal government agency, the USPS requires customers to follow a different type of legal procedure for filing an accident claim. You can report concerns about safety and incidents that cause injuries by interacting with an employee at the nearest post office.

Customers that were involved in an accident with a USPS employee also can report the accident to the local law enforcement agency. The USPS has established a toll-free phone number at 1-800-275-8777 to receive calls from customers that concern unsafe conditions and/or practices.

After an accident with a USPS employee, the first thing to do involves taking care of any immediate emergency care issues. If you are healthy enough to remain at the scene of the accident, you should exchange names and contact information with the USPS employee.

The USPS requires employees to follow a series of steps when reporting an accident:

  • Submit an incident report that describes everything that is associated with the accident, including the date, time, and what caused the accident.
  • USPS will receive a copy of the formal police report, which you should also obtain before contacting a personal injury lawyer.
  • Your attorney can review the formal police report to determine whether the USPS employee is at fault for causing the accident.
  • The USPS also reviews the police report to determine whether to settle out of court or fight the allegations during a civil trial.

For more information on how to report the accident, go to our If a USPS* driver hit me, do I sue him or the company? page.

Who is At Fault in a US Postal Service Truck Accident?

Determining fault in a USPS truck accident is the same as in an accident involving a commercial truck owned by a private company. USPS truck drivers can make the same mistakes as truck drivers for private companies. Some of these accidents causes include:

  • Fatigued driving
  • Driving while intoxicated
  • Reckless driving
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Poorly maintained vehicles

If USPS can prove that you were at fault for the accident or that you were negligent in some way, you may not be able to collect compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. Mail truck drivers are trained to drive safely at all times; however, accidents still occur.

When the USPS truck driver is at fault and you can prove that you did not contribute to the cause of the accident, you may be able to collect damages from the federal government to cover your expenses related to the accident. You'll need to prove negligence caused the accident instead.

What is the Value of My Personal Injury Claim in a US Postal Service Truck Accident?

Each accident claim is different because the injuries involved in the accident are different and the circumstances surrounding the accident are different. The value of your personal injury claim will not be the same as another claim because your injuries and your damages are unique to your claim.

In most personal injury claims, the value of the claim is based on out-of-pocket expenses such:

  • Medical expenses and bills
  • Lost wages/future lost wages
  • Cost for personal care
  • Over-the-counter medications

The other element used in valuing a personal injury claim is the compensation for the victim’s physical pain and emotional suffering.

In some severe cases, experts are required to calculate the actual damages in a USPS truck accident case. They must determine what the future medical expenses and lost wages are if the victim will require continuing medical or personal care and will be unable to return to work due to the injuries sustained in the accident.

How do I File an Accident Claim for a Post Office Vehicle Accident?

Most accident claims can be difficult to win without proper documentation. When you file a claim for an auto accident, you will need to have:

  • Police report from the scene of the accident
  • Witness statements and contact information
  • Medical records and invoices
  • Bills from a mechanic or auto body shop

You will also have to stay on top of your PI claim. Claims against a government entity have a strict statute of limitations and failure to adhere will result in a denied claim. To stay on track with your accident claim, enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer.

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What Damages Can I Receive From an Accident With a Mail Truck?

The United States Post Office is classified as a federal government agency, so different laws and rules are applicable when it comes to legal claims due to a car accident caused by a mail truck. You can still recover damages for any injuries, financial losses or pain and suffering the accident may have caused you.

The damages you can recover may include:

  • the full cost of your medical treatment from the time of the accident until full recovery has taken place including prescription drugs where applicable;
  • the full cost of repairs to your car;
  • the full value of past and future wages lost due to your inability to be able to work because of the outcome of the accident;
  • an amount calculated for pain and suffering due to the accident.
  • an amount calculated for loss of consortium, if applicable;
  • punitive damages if you can prove the mail truck driver deliberately caused your accident.

If your car has been hit by a mail truck driven by an employee, your damages claim falls under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and not state law as typically would happen if you were injured in an accident caused by a driver who is not considered to be a federal government employee. The FTCA has very specific requirements and does not allow you to sue the company or their employee. Instead you can sue the United States.

What is the FTCA Procedure for Filing a Personal Injury Claim?

You must first of all complete Form 95 within 2 years of the accident date. This form is filed with the company responsible. This asks you to state the precise nature of the claim. You need to provide the exact amount of damages that you require. After Form 95 has been filed, you are required to wait at least 6 months before you may file a damages claim in the federal court.

The 6 month waiting time when you are not permitted to file a lawsuit is in place so that the company has sufficient time to investigate your damages claim. They may then try to settle your case or initiate negotiations with yourself or your attorney in order to bring about a satisfactory settlement without the need for a lawsuit. As soon as this 6 month period has been reached, you can file a lawsuit if you wish if no settlement has been reached for your damages claim.

Crash Scenarios You Might Find Yourself In

Here are some crash scenarios you might find yourself in:

Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer

It is important that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following an accident involving a USPS truck or other vehicle. Because you are dealing with a federal government agency, special rules apply regarding how a personal injury claim must be handled.

Only attorneys with experience and knowledge of the Federal Tort Claims Act are equipped to handle personal injury claims involving USPS trucks. Your attorney will advise you on the best way to proceed with your claim given your specific circumstances.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a USPS truck, fill out the Free Case Evaluation to get connected with a personal injury attorney. The attorney must follow the rules, regulations, and laws governing clams against a government agency in order for you to be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries.

*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against the US Postal Service, you may not be entitled to any compensation.

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