Birmingham USPS Truck Accidents Attorney

The Grumman Long Life Vehicle (LLV) is a light transport truck primarily known as the mail truck of the United States Postal Service (USPS) but also utilized by the Canada Post Corporation, the primary postal operator in Canada. The USPS also utilizes a number of other vehicles in its fleet, including minivans, tractors, cargo vans, and delivery vans.

When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident with a mail truck, it means that the USPS could be liable for your injuries. This could involve possibly filing a claim through the Federal Tort Claims Act, which can be a daunting task for many people.

If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in any kind of USPS truck accident in the Birmingham area, you do not have to handle your federal claim by yourself. Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP Birmingham truck accident attorneys understand the complicating factors involved in these cases and help you navigate all of the requirements.

Our firm can conduct an independent investigation as soon as we are hired so important evidence can be preserved. You can have us provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case as soon as you call (205) 324-1212 or contact us online to receive a free consultation.

Why Do I Need a USPS Truck Accident Lawyer?

Filing a lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act involves having to satisfy a number of strict requirements, and it is very difficult for people to accomplish this on their own. You will want an attorney to help simply because they are going to understand what needs to be proven and how to prove it.

The federal government does not want you to file a lawsuit and may try to extend you a settlement offer. You are right to wonder if you are really being offered what you deserve, because most initial settlement offers fall well short of what people are actually entitled to.

You want a lawyer to handle the settlement negotiations relating to your case because they are going to have a much better understanding of the true value of your case. The attorney can consult medical experts to get a complete understanding of the extent of your injuries and the likely lifetime of expenses you will face.

If a settlement cannot be negotiated, the lawyer will know how to file a lawsuit in compliance with the Federal Tort Claims Act. Strict time limits usually apply in these cases, so it is important for victims in USPS truck accidents to not delay in seeking legal representation.

Why Choose Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP?

The Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP personal injury law firm has recovered more than $200 million for our clients. We have been serving residents of and visitors to Alabama for more than two decades.

Kirby Farris and Ken Riley are both members of the Birmingham Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Alabama Bar Association. They are both admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, and United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama as well as the Alabama Supreme Court.

Mr. Farris and Mr. Riley are both Birmingham residents born and raised in Alabama. They take pride in giving back to their community, supporting Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, Volunteer Lawyers, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Alabama, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, United Way, Children’s of Alabama, and several other organizations.

We represent every client on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you do not pay anything until you receive a monetary award.

USPS Truck Accident Cases We Handle

Again, USPS has several different kinds of vehicles. The most notable difference with Grumman LLVs is that the driver’s area is on the right-hand side of the vehicle instead of the left.

USPS trucks could cause several different kinds of crashes. Common causes of accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Failure to Maintain — USPS is responsible for ensuring that its vehicles are properly maintained and cared for, but some crashes are the result of factors relating to lack of necessary maintenance.
• Violations of Traffic Laws — Many different traffic violations could lead to a possible collision, with some of the most common offenses being speeding, running red lights or stop signs, and improper lane usage.
• Defective Parts — When a USPS truck crash was the result of a defective component within the vehicle, then it is possible that the manufacturer of the defective part could be liable.
• Improperly Loaded or Secured Cargo — While simple letters are the basic loads of most USPS vehicle, a driver’s failure to secure their cargo could still result in the contents of the truck being release on a busy roadway and possibly causing a separate accident.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) — Just the same as passenger vehicle operators, USPS truck drivers could face criminal charges if they are arrested for a DUI offense. The criminal case is completely separate from your own civil action.
• Driver Error — USPS truck drivers can commit many of the same mistakes as drivers of passenger vehicles. Som drivers may be guilty of distracted driving when they are talking or text messaging on a cell phone, but other kinds of errors could include tailgating or improper turns.
• Driver Fatigue — Certain postal employees work very long hours, and exhausted drivers are much more prone to making mistakes behind the wheel.
• Improper Backing — Grumman LLVs can be somewhat more difficult to operate in certain settings, and some USPS trucks cause accidents while attempting to back into or out of some spaces.
• Inclement Weather — Whenever the weather takes a turn for the worse, it affects all drivers. USPS truck drivers are expected to operate safely in bad weather, but some drivers cause accidents because they do not adjust to their surroundings.
• Unsafe Road Conditions — It can be possible that a crash was caused by a defective roadway or roadway condition. Other governmental entities are usually responsible for these repairs and could be liable.

The Federal Tort Claims Act requires that a claim for monetary damages first be presented to the appropriate federal agency in a civil action against the United States. No suit can be brought until after the agency has denied the claim or failed to respond within six months, and a person can file suit after the six months have expired but any suit filed before the notice of claims requirement is satisfied will be dismissed.

People can suffer many kinds of injuries in USPS truck accidents. Some of the most common injuries include, but are not limited to:

• Lacerations
• Paralysis
• Internal organ injuries
• Fractures
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Muscle strains
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Sprains

Certain USPS truck crashes can also cause fatal injuries. Wrongful death lawsuits may be filed by the families of the people killed in tragic accidents like these.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mail Truck Accidents

What should I do after a USPS truck accident?

You should always get medical care after any USPS truck accident, even if you do not think you were hurt. Some injuries involve delayed symptoms, and delays in treatment will be used against you. You want to preserve the evidence that you can at the scene of your crash, and the best way to do this is usually to take as many photographs as you can of everything involved, from the vehicles to the people, to all other notable factors. You want to do this before your scene is cleaned up and the evidence disappears. If there were any individuals who saw your collision, try to get their names and phone numbers. Be careful about who you discuss your accident with. Try not to talk to an insurance company until you have spoken to an attorney first.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my USPS truck accident?

You will not be able to recover any damages in your USPS truck accident case if you were negligent in any way because Alabama allows defendants to utilize the affirmative defense of contributory negligence. Contributory negligence means any kind of negligence by a person that proximately contributes to their injuries. Unfortunately, this means that a defendant who was 99 percent at fault for an accident cannot be held liable when the plaintiff was even 1 percent at fault. Insurance companies know the power of contributory negligence and will be anxious to get you on tape admitting to any kind of negligence, which is why you want to avoid providing any recorded statements.

How long do I have to file a USPS truck accident claim?

The Federal Tort Claims Act requires a claim to be filed within two years of the cause of action, or the date of the USPS truck accident. A suit must be filed within six months of the date the agency denies the claim or refuses to pay all damages demanded.

Contact a Birmingham USPS Truck Accidents Attorney Today

Did you sustain catastrophic injuries or was your loved one killed in a USPS truck accident in Birmingham or another nearby community in Alabama? You are going to want to have proven legal representation for help with the complicated requirements involved in the Federal Tort Claims Act.

The Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP team are personal injury experts, and have dealt with all kinds of governmental entities and knows how to help people recover all of the compensation they are entitled to in these cases. Call (205) 324-1212 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.