How to Get a USPS Car Accident Settlement

If you were seriously injured in an accident with a USPS truck, it’s important to speak with a car accident lawyer. For minor fender benders, however, you can handle the property damage claims process on your own. To request a USPS car accident settlement, simply file the U.S. government’s Form 95, also known as the Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death.

What to Do If You’re Injured in an Accident with a United States Postal Service (USPS) Mail Truck

If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident involving a USPS vehicle, it’s important to get help from an experienced personal injury attorney. Personal injury claims involving the USPS and the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) can be complicated.

Our law firm has experience handling these types of cases, guiding clients through federal court procedures, and helping secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

What Happens If You Are Hit by a USPS Truck?

In Illinois, state laws govern what happens after an ordinary vehicle accident. However, if a vehicle accident involves a USPS employee—a federal employee—federal law applies.

The FTCA governs this case. Filing a claim or lawsuit in federal court against the government under this act has requirements that are different from state law cases.

USPS Vehicle Insurance

USPS vehicles are insured by the federal government—the Postal Service is self-insured and exempt from state insurance laws. If you’re in an accident with a USPS truck, you’ll deal with a federal agency, not a typical insurance company. To file a personal injury lawsuit, you’ll seek compensation from the government—possibly through federal courts.

What Happens If a Letter Carrier Using Their Personal Vehicle Is Involved in an Accident?

The U.S. Postal Service has nearly 54,000 rural delivery routes, handled by around 130,000 rural letter carriers. On some routes USPS provides a vehicle; on others, carriers use their own vehicles.

If a letter carrier using their personal vehicle has an accident while working for USPS, the legal process can get complicated. Depending on the details of the accident, USPS might still be partly responsible. Figuring out who is at fault and which auto insurance policy applies often requires a thorough investigation.

How to File a Claim in USPS Mail Truck Accidents

You have a strict two-year deadline to file a claim against a federal government employee or the USPS. The deadline is based on when the form is received (not when it’s mailed), so act quickly to gather the police report, witness statements, medical bills, and other accident details to protect your rights.

To file your claim against the USPS, you must complete Government Form 95: Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death. You will need the following information to complete this form:

Basis of Claim

Summarize the facts of your USPS accident claim here, including details of the accident and the USPS driver’s negligence. Avoid any admissions that could be used against you. Consult a personal injury attorney before filing your claim.

Property Damage Details

Describe the property damage from the collision, including your vehicle and any other affected property.

Injury Details

Summarize the physical injuries from the accident, including medical expenses, lost income from time off work, and expected future costs for medical care and rehabilitation.

Witness Contact Information

Request contact details for witnesses who observed events before, during, and after the accident.

Insurance Information

You need to provide details about your auto insurance policy coverage and any recent claims.

Demand for Damages

When submitting Form 95 to the appropriate federal government agency, include a settlement demand for damages with your claim. If you’ve sustained severe injuries, consult an experienced attorney to ensure your demand adequately covers your losses.

Where to Submit Your Claim

After completing Form 95, you can file your accident claim at any local post office or postal facility, as required by USPS regulations.

USPS Processing Time

After you submit an injury claim to the USPS, they have six months to respond. If accepted, you’ll receive the full amount requested; if rejected, you have another six months to take legal action.

How to Report an Unsafe USPS Driver

If you witness unsafe driving by a USPS driver, you can submit a report to the USPS’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. CT or Saturday 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT. Alternatively, you can also file a report at the USPS website.

Try to get the vehicle’s identification number and note the date, time, and location of the incident to increase the chances of corrective action.

Do USPS Trucks Have Cameras?

Yes. According to the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), USPS trucks, known as Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs), are equipped with 360-degree and back-up cameras that record the letter carrier’s activities. The cameras activate when the vehicle starts and continue recording for two hours after it is turned off, capturing actions such as loading, unloading, and the parcel mail delivery truck itself.

Common Myths About United States Postal Service Vehicles

There are many misconceptions about USPS mail trucks.

Is It a Felony to Hit a Mail Truck?

No. An urban legend claims hitting a USPS mail truck is a felony, but that’s false. It’s not a felony, and the USPS can be held liable for injuries or property damage caused by its negligence, just like private citizens or commercial shipping companies.

Are Postal Vehicles Exempt from Traffic Laws?

No, postal vehicles are not exempt from traffic laws. The USPS driver handbook states that “drivers must obey all federal, state, and local traffic laws and Postal Service policies; drive defensively and professionally; and extend courtesy in all situations.”

Do Mail Trucks Always Have the Right-of-Way?

No, this urban legend is false. Some believe that if a police car, an ambulance, and a USPS mail truck all reach an intersection at the same time, the mail truck has the right-of-way. However, postal vehicles must yield to emergency vehicles like all others. The Illinois Vehicle Code makes no exceptions for mail trucks.