It’s easy to see how a highway construction zone can become such an accident hot spot. Interminable queues, slow moving traffic, bad tempered drivers and often obstacles strewn all over the road may all contribute to a high accident rate and serious injuries.
Not all those who are injured are to blame for their own injuries. There are often multiple hazards in a highway construction zone.
If you have been hit by another vehicle, such as a mail truck, you could consider the possibility of claiming compensation from the driver or the postal service company itself. Talk to a personal injury attorney before filing such a claim.
Determining Liability After a Construction Zone Accident
If you have been hit by a mail truck in a construction zone, and believe that you were not at fault, you may be able to claim compensation if your vehicle is damaged or you or any other occupants, were injured.
However, you must be sure that you can identify who or what caused the accident. Construction zones are typically rather chaotic.
Some construction zones might be badly managed and often accidents occur because of the way the zone is controlled. Instructions and signage may be deficient. Obstacles may get in the way of passing vehicles. Visibility may be poor.
Other drivers may also not behave as patiently as they should. Their response may be ill-tempered and they may and hurry through the zone or even try and beat the queue.
Some drivers may be suffering from fatigue or intoxication and the delay at the construction zone may mean they are more likely to make poor decisions.
Accidents don’t just happen. There is usually a reason for them and in the case of traffic accidents most accidents have a human cause.
How to Make a Claim for Compensation After Being Hit by a Mail Truck in a Construction Zone
As long as you feel confident proving who or what was to blame for your accident, you may have a reasonable chance of obtaining compensation.
You will need to be sure whether the accident was due to poor driving on part of the driver, or whether the truck was suffering from a defect. In the latter case you may need to sue the company itself.
In some cases, there may be more than one at-fault party. Another vehicle may have been involved as well, or the construction zone company may share a degree of fault through its own poor supervision.
You will need as much documentation as possible to support your claim, which is usually directed to their insurer, or the driver’s insurer.
You could include any photographic evidence, witness statements and a police report, if there was one. You may find that someone working at the site may have observed the crash and what caused it.
You may be asked to supply a medical statement or report, invoices to show the cost of any medical treatment, receipts obtained from car repairers or tow companies and evidence of any lost earnings as a result of the crash.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
Few personal injury claims are straightforward. Insurance providers rarely give out compensation if they can help it.
They may doubt the evidence you provide or even attempt to offer you a compensation payment which is insufficient to satisfy your losses as the result of their client’s negligence.
You will find it much easier to discuss the accident first with a personal injury attorney and let him or her do the negotiating on your behalf.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: 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 UPS, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
