United States Postal Service (USPS mail trucks can be seen throughout Austin each day. They deliver mail to homes and businesses six days a week. Therefore, USPS drivers cover thousands of miles on the job.
According to the USPS, there were approximately 29,000 Post Office vehicle accidents in a recent year. Mailman trucks involved in motor vehicle accidents can cause injuries and wrongful deaths. Therefore, it is important to understand your options after an accident with a USPS mail truck in Austin, TX.
What Are the Common Causes of Accidents Involving USPS Vehicles in Austin?
Mail carrier negligence is a common cause of mail truck accidents. Other common causes of accidents involving USPS mail trucks and vehicles include:
- Drowsy and fatigued driving
- Improper lane changes and turns
- Distracted driving
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Backing up accidents
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Failing to follow traffic laws
Other parties could be liable or partially at fault for a mail truck accident. Other drivers could be at fault. Also, defective vehicle parts and/or poor maintenance could be contributing factors to the cause of an accident.
Identifying the parties who contributed to the accident is essential. Only parties who contributed to the cause of the crash can be held liable for damages.
Steps To Take After a USPS Truck Accident in Austin
If you are in a traffic accident involving a USPS mail truck, stop as close to the scene as possible. Then, follow Austin’s traffic laws for steps to take after a traffic accident.
Call 911 to report the accident. If it is safe to do so, make a video of the accident scene and take pictures with your cell phone. Make sure to include the damage to each vehicle, traffic signs, skid marks, and other physical evidence.
Do not say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. For example, saying you are sorry that the accident happened could be misinterpreted as admitting fault. Instead, tell the police officer what happened without taking fault for the cause of the crash.
It is not wise to refuse medical care. If you say you are fine or okay, it could be more challenging to prove an injury claim later. Instead, you could say that you intend to seek medical care from your family physician if you do not want to go to the hospital.
Contact an experienced Austin USPS mail truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Claims against the federal government are complicated. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer handle your case is the best way to protect your rights.
How Do I Sue the Post Office for an Austin Mail Truck Accident?
The Federal Torts Claim Act handles claims for USPS mail vehicle accidents. There are strict deadlines and procedures that you must follow to recover compensation for damages. If you make a mistake or error, your claim might be denied.
As the injured party, you have the burden of proving that the USPS is responsible for your damages. Proving liability for a USPS mail truck accident requires you to prove the following:
- A federal employee was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident;
- The federal employee was working on the clock at the time of the crash;
- The USPS vehicle caused the traffic accident;
- The federal employee’s conduct was negligent; and,
- The federal employee’s negligence was the direct and proximate cause of your injuries and damages.
Recovering money for a USPS accident claim can be a lengthy process. You are taking on the federal government, which has vast resources to fight claims. It protects itself by creating complicated claims procedures that are difficult to follow without a lawyer.
What Damages Can I Receive for a USPS Mail Truck Accident?
Damages compensate you for the financial losses incurred because of an accident. You can also receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
If a USPS mail truck causes your injuries, you could receive compensation for non-economic and economic damages, including:
- The cost of medical treatment and care, including future medical bills
- The cost of rehabilitative care, including occupational and physical care
- Reimbursement for your out-of-pocket expenses, including personal care and travel expenses
- Estimated future decreases in earning capacity and lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Disabilities, impairments, scarring, and disfigurement
- A decrease in quality of life
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
Carefully documenting your expenses and losses increases the chance you can recover a settlement amount that compensates you for all losses. An Austin personal injury lawyer calculates the value of your case based on numerous factors. Before accepting a settlement offer, always talk with an attorney to ensure the settlement amount is fair.
Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Austin, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Austin and need legal help, contact our Austin truck accident lawyers at FVF Law to schedule a free consultation with our team.
FVF Law
3101 Bee Caves Rd #301
Austin, TX 78746
United States
(512) 982-9328
