You have heard one of the most quoted company mottos: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” The motto is the proverbial fight song for mail carriers.
The USPS, like other delivery serice companies, has a strict set of guidelines drivers must follow in the aftermath of a vehicle accident. The same principle applies to drivers of non-commercial vehicles.
You have to know how to proceed after an accident with a delivery driver, especially when there is no police report for submitting to your insurance company.
What to Do If There is No Police Report
If you were struck by a delivery mail truck, any damages you claim falls within the legal guidelines mandated by the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). State law typically covers motor vehicle accident claims, but it is superseded by federal law when a vehicle accident involves at least one federal government employee. In addition, the mail delivery services companies have established a set of guidelines that educates drivers on how to handle accidents with non-commercial vehicles.
Not all accidents involving a delivery mail truck require a law enforcement presence to determine the cause of the accident, as well as detail damages to either vehicle. A delivery truck driver might have delivered a slight glancing blow to the rear of your car, as it pulled away from a curb after delivering mail.
Lack of significant damage to your car might be a valid reason not to contact the nearest law enforcement agency. There are times when a law enforcement official takes a car accident call and determines the accident does not require a police presence.
When it’s Your Responsibility to Collect Evidence
Photographs of the damage inflicted on your vehicle is a good place to start for acquiring evidence to present for an insurance claim. Use different angles and distances to capture as much of the damage to your car as possible. You should also store images of the accident scene on your Smartphone. Road and/or weather conditions might have played a role in causing the accident.
Supporting evidence in the form of witness interviews should bolster your insurance claim. Witness accounts right after a vehicle accident are usually the most reliable information, as our memories tend to fade as time passes by.
Make sure to collect both personal and professional contact information from the driver of the delivery truck. The driver may ask for your contact information and the number associated with your vehicle liability insurance policy.
An Attorney Will Make Sense of It All
A state licensed personal injury lawyer not only will help you file a persuasive car insurance claim, he or she will also determine whether you deserve just compensation for suffering from the symptoms triggered by physical injuries.
Additional Resources
- What Should I Do If I Am Hit By A USPS Mail Truck?
- How to Dispute Fault After an Accident with a USPS Vehicle
*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 USPS, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
