The United States Postal Service (USPS) delivers more mail and parcels than any other entity in the world. With over 235,000 delivery routes across the country and nearly 258,000 postal vehicles in service, it is highly likely that you will encounter a USPS truck at some point in New Mexico. If this encounter takes the form of an automobile accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Understanding how these claims work is something a truck accident attorney in Albuquerque regularly helps explain.
What Causes the Most USPS Truck Accidents?
As is the case with all types of automobile accidents, the number one cause of USPS delivery truck accidents is negligence. In a personal injury case, someone is negligent if that person or party fails to act with proper care in a way that injures others.
Examples of negligence in USPS truck accident cases include:
- Driver errors. Careless and reckless mistakes behind the wheel, such as traffic violations, speeding, distracted driving, drowsy driving and driving while intoxicated.
- Postal service negligence. Negligence by USPS, such as hiring unqualified delivery drivers, neglecting safety training and failing to properly maintain delivery trucks.
- Government agency negligence. Safety problems on an institutional level, such as protocols that pressure drivers to make fast deliveries and violate hours-of-service driving regulations.
When negligence causes a USPS truck accident in New Mexico, the at-fault party can be held accountable under the state’s tort-based car insurance law. Determining who is at fault and proving liability as a victim may take assistance from an experienced truck accident lawyer in Albuquerque.
Complications Involved in USPS Accident Claims
A motor vehicle collision involving a USPS truck is not the same as a standard car accident case in New Mexico, or even accidents involving other delivery services. Since the United States Postal Service is a government entity, your injury claim will involve complex issues of governmental immunity and the New Mexico Tort Claims Act.
Most government agencies are immune or protected from liability for accidents and injuries that they cause. However, under the Tort Claims Act, government agencies such as USPS can be held accountable for negligence in certain circumstances. These cases come with unique filing rules and regulations, including a time limit that is just 90 days (rather than three years for a typical car accident case).
Types of Damages Available
A successful USPS truck accident claim in New Mexico could reimburse you for various costs and losses you suffered because of the accident and your injuries. Your financial recovery could potentially include:
- Past and future medical expenses related to your injuries
- Property damage repairs or vehicle replacement
- Lost income from missed time at work
- Future earning opportunities due to a disability
- Pain, suffering and emotional distress
If you file a claim with USPS for a truck accident and are offered a settlement, don’t accept without first consulting with a personal injury lawyer. The initial offer may be too low based on the severity of your injuries and losses.
How a USPS Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You
A personal injury attorney will work for you, not an insurance company. At the Fine Law Firm, your lawyer will want to maximize your financial settlement or judgment award through all legal means possible. The services an attorney can render include investigating the truck accident, collecting evidence of negligence, hiring experts, negotiating a fair settlement and handling your case in court if a trial is necessary.
To discuss all of the benefits of hiring a USPS truck accident attorney in more detail, contact us today at (505) 889-3463 for a free initial case review.