Every day in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USPS trucks travel along busy roads, such as Main Street and Franklin Street, delivering mail and packages. While they are a common sight, accidents can still happen, especially when someone is careless.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident with a USPS truck in Johnstown, you may be facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about what steps to take next. This is where a Johnstown USPS truck accident lawyer can help. At Berger and Green, our legal team will guide you through the legal process and fight for fair compensation.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation and learn how our Johnstown delivery truck accident lawyers can help.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a USPS Truck Accident?
As our Johnstown truck accident lawyers can tell you, one of the most important and often most complicated aspects of a USPS truck accident case is determining who is legallyresponsible for the crash.
Unlike a typical accident between two drivers in Johnstown, accidents involving USPS trucks may involve multiple layers of liability. Understanding who can be held accountable is the key to building a strong claim.
The USPS Driver
If the accident was caused by a USPS driver’s negligence, such as distracted driving, running a red light on Franklin Street, or failing to yield, the driver may be considered directly at fault.
However, because USPS drivers are federal employees, the lawsuit is typically directed against the United States government, not the individual driver. A Johnstown personal injury lawyer can help you navigate these federal rules and ensure your claim is filed correctly.
The United States Postal Service (USPS)
When a USPS truck is involved in a crash, liability often extends to the Postal Service itself. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), the government can be held responsible for the negligence of its employees, much like a private employer. That said, strict procedures must be followed when filing a claim against a federal agency.
Third Parties
Not every USPS truck accident is solely the Postal Service’s fault. In some cases, third parties may share responsibility, for example:
- A maintenance contractor who failed to properly service the mail truck’s brakes.
- Another driver who acted recklessly and caused the collision.
- Manufacturers of defective vehicle parts that contributed to the crash.
Shared Liability
It’s also possible that multiple parties share liability. For example, a USPS driver may be partially at fault for speeding, while another driver contributed by making an unsafe lane change.
In these cases, Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence laws come into play, potentially reducing or dividing the amount of compensation available.
Identifying the correct liable party is critical. Suing the wrong entity or missing the strict FTCA deadlines can cause a case to be dismissed entirely.
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Start A Free EvaluationHow a Johnston USPS Truck Accident Attorney Proves Negligence
To successfully pursue compensation after a USPS truck accident in Johnstown, PA, you must be able to prove negligence. This means showing that the USPS driver (or another responsible party) failed to act with reasonable care, and that this failure directly caused your injuries.
Establishing Duty of Care and Breach
Every driver on Johnstown’s roads has a duty to operate their vehicle safely. When a postal worker speeds, checks a phone while driving, or fails to obey a stoplight, that duty is breached. Demonstrating this breach is a cornerstone of your claim.
Gathering Critical Evidence
Evidence plays a crucial role in proving negligence. Key forms of proof often include:
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Photographs or video footage
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Driver logs and schedules
The Role of Expert Testimony
In more complex cases, expert testimony can be invaluable. For example, an accident reconstruction specialist may analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and roadway conditions to illustrate exactly how the collision occurred. Medical experts may also testify to link the accident directly to your injuries and future medical needs.
Your Johnstown USPS truck accident lawyer’s investigation will ensure that negligence is thoroughly documented, deadlines are met, and your rights are protected at every step.
We know you’re hurting. We can help. Free case evaluations, home and hospital visits.
Contact Us Now For HelpLosses You Can Be Compensated for After a USPS Accident
After a USPS truck accident in Johnstown, the physical, emotional, and financial toll can be overwhelming. A Johnstown USPS truck accident attorney can fight for the maximum compensation you are eligible for, which may include:
Medical Expenses
Medical costs often make up the largest portion of a claim. Compensation may include:
- Emergency room visits and hospital stays
- Surgeries, diagnostic tests, and medications
- Rehabilitation, physical therapy, or occupational therapy
- Future medical expenses for long-term or permanent injuries
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
If you’ve missed work due to your injuries, you may be entitled to recover lost income. In more serious cases, when injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or reduce your ability to earn a living, compensation can also cover diminished earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
Not all damages are financial. The law also recognizes the toll that pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life can take.
If your injuries prevent you from doing activities you once loved, like biking along the Johnstown Inclined Plane trails or spending time with family, you may be eligible for compensation.
Property Damage
If your vehicle or other property was damaged in the crash, compensation may cover repair or replacement costs. This is especially important when USPS trucks cause severe damage due to their larger size and weight.
Missing deadlines or failing to document your losses could reduce or even eliminate your recovery.
You need an attorney with the experience and dedication to give your case the care it deserves.
Start A Free EvaluationThe Statute of Limitations for USPS Truck Accident Claims
When it comes to filing a claim after a USPS truck accident, time is not on your side. Strict deadlines apply, and missing them can mean losing your right to recover compensation entirely. Understanding the statute of limitations, both under Pennsylvania law and federal law, is essential.
Pennsylvania Personal Injury Deadline
In most personal injury cases in Pennsylvania, victims typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court. This applies to negligence cases like car accidents.
The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Rules
When the USPS is involved, however, the process is different because the Postal Service is a federal agency. Claims must be filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), which has its own strict deadlines.
The legal team at Berger and Green ensures all deadlines are tracked and met. We’ll handle the paperwork, file the administrative claim properly, and keep your case moving forward so you don’t miss your chance for justice. Contact us today to get started.
We can address all the legal hurdles that may be keeping you from getting a fair settlement.
Speak To An Attorney TodayHow a Johnstown USPS Truck Accident Lawyer From Berger and Green Can Help
After a collision with a USPS truck, you may feel overwhelmed, juggling medical treatments, insurance calls, and the stress of missing work.
Guiding You Through a Complicated Process
Filing a claim against the federal government involves a maze of deadlines, forms, and procedural rules. A Johnstown USPS truck accident lawyer takes that burden off your shoulders.
With more than 40 years of experience handling serious injury cases, our team understands exactly how to build an evidence-backed claim and navigate the FTCA process from start to finish.
Proven Results You Can Trust
Experience matters, but so do results. Our firm is proud to have three attorneys in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. That level of proven success shows we know how to take on large institutions and fight for maximum compensation.
Personalized Support Every Step of the Way
We believe that legal representation should fit around your life, not the other way around. That’s why we offer free case evaluations, as well as home and hospital visits for clients who are too injured to travel. Our goal is to make the process as easy as possible, so you can focus on what matters most: your health and recovery.
Connect With a Johnstown USPS Truck Accident Lawyer Today
USPS truck accidents in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, can leave victims facing painful injuries, financial strain, and a confusing legal process.
Our Johnstown USPS truck accident attorneys are here to help you through it. Reach out to Berger and Green for a free consultation today.