Kentucky Car Accidents Involving USPS

Contact Morrin Law Office

The attorneys at the Morrin Law Office are dedicated to getting our clients’ lives back together after an unexpected accident. Far too often victims of motor vehicle collisions suffer due to their injuries. This suffering continues as they struggle to make ends meet with the loss of work or extended recovery time. Our goal is to provide legal guidance to our clients and win them the compensation their injuries deserve. To receive a risk-free evaluation, contact our office at (859) 358-0300.

Who is Responsible for Injuries Caused by a Mail Truck?

Just like any passenger-vehicle collision, there are multiple factors that could contribute to a USPS driver causing an accident. Some causes unique to a mail truck driver may include:

• Driver distraction;
• Fatigue;
• Speeding;
• Weather conditions;
• Vehicle maintenance issues;
• Inadequate training;
• Failure to obey traffic laws; or
• Cargo handling issues.

Car accidents involving USPS or other mail trucks are often more complex than cases involving only passenger vehicles. This is because mail trucks are often owned by the federal government, or a private contractor of the government. That means when their drivers cause a collision, the government can be held liable for any resulting injuries and damages.

However, there are specific rules and regulations when it comes to suing the federal government. This can make it much more difficult to obtain the compensation you deserve for the medical expenses and lost wages that result from the accident. Your best option for a successful claim or lawsuit against USPS is by hiring an experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney.

Filing a Lawsuit Against the United States Postal Service

If your personal injury case was not settled through the administrative process, then you can proceed with filing a lawsuit against USPS. Just as USPS had six months to respond, you will have six months to file a lawsuit from the time they provide their answer.

These types of cases take place in federal court, which operate differently from a standard courtroom. The opposing party (USPS) will be assigned a federal attorney to defend themselves, so you should also consider hiring an attorney experienced in FTCA lawsuits.

The litigation process will involve legal proceedings such as the discovery of evidence, motions for settlement, and the possibility of a trial. If your lawsuit against USPS goes to trial, a judge or jury will determine the outcome. The outcome will be based on the facts and details from the collision. To have a successful case, your attorney should be able to prove that the driver’s wrongdoing on the job caused the accident and the injuries you sustained. If your case wins, the court will issue a judgement that specifies the damages awarded.

There are both economic and non-economic damages you may try to receive through litigation against USPS. The financial losses resulting from your accident can include:

• Medical expenses;
• Lost wages;
• Loss of future earnings;
• Property damage;
• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress;
• Permanent disability;
• Disfigurement;
• Loss of enjoyment of life; and
• Loss of consortium.

Important: USPS differs from private individuals in the litigation process. This is because the company is self-insured and is exempt from the typical insurance laws in Kentucky. That means you are not limited in the compensation you may be able to receive that is usually tied to the auto insurance policy that was applicable at the time of the wreck.

If you have questions regarding the litigation process in Kentucky, contact Morrin Law Firm.

What to Do After a USPS Accident

As the dust settles on the unexpected accident scene, you realize that a USPS mail truck has hit you. Follow these steps to ensure your safety and a smooth personal claim process:

• Call the Police: Law enforcement should always be called following a motor vehicle collision, as they can help determine what caused the wreck. Even if you do not immediately notice any injuries, you should be checked out by a medical professional. Obtaining documentation of the police report and any injuries found by a doctor are both imperative for your case.
• Document the accident scene: If it is safe to do so, document the scene of the accident. This can include an image or video of each motor vehicle involved, damages, injuries, and the surrounding area. This is also the time to receive the contact information for any eyewitnesses who may have witnessed what caused the accident.
• Notify insurance companies: You will have to notify your insurance company about the accident. We recommend that you do this as soon as possible. During this time, you should provide the insurance company with as much detail as possible regarding the accident. You should not, however, give any statements or information to USPS or their insurance until you have first spoken with an attorney. Any information given may be used against you later during the claims process or litigation.
• Hire an attorney experienced in tort claims: If you have not already, this is the time you should contact Morrin Law Firm. Our attorneys can review your case details in a free case evaluation and determine the best way to proceed.

Example Kentucky Cases

The following provides two examples of car accidents involving USPS drivers in Kentucky:

• June 2015 – Police in Lexington responded to a collision involving a USPS truck at Andover Village Drive on June 25^th, 2015. The local report indicated that an SUV was on the wrong side of the road when the crash occurred. The driver of the USPS truck was thrown into the front windshield, and both drivers were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
• July 2023 – Mayfield Police responded to a two-vehicle crash that took place on July 3^rd, 2023. According to the local report, USPS employee Shaun Vonschoech was turning left onto a bypass when he failed to fully straighten out the truck. Vonschoech’s truck continued into oncoming traffic from southbound, which resulted in a McCartney food delivery truck rear-ending the USPS truck. The force of the collision caused the USPS truck to go down an embarkment and flip. Vonschoech suffered injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.