“I’m going to get the mail Mom!”

More than likely, that statement is made daily in rural Iowa from inside many homes across America. And then mom’s yell back,

“Be careful!”

The best legal advice I can give is for you to listen to your mother.

The Egerton Law Firm from North Carolina has an interesting blog  about the accidental death of a young girl who was simply getting the mail. It reminded me of a post I made almost a year ago about an elderly woman who was killed doing the same thing - getting the mail. My mind got to wondering about how common it is for people to get hit by the side of the road while checking for mail. Next thing I know I'm knee deep in rural mailbox accidents from all across the American landscape.  Look at the stories below-the-fold and I’m sure, like me, you’ll be quite surprised.

The post starts out about the recent death of an 11-year-old girl getting the mail from the family mailbox and then provides some insight into common factors to consider about car-truck accidents involving people at their own mailboxes. There are some common factors that every rural Iowa parent should be aware.

 " Mailbox-related crashes are common. Some facts about them from the Federal Highway Administration:

• They are more likely to happen to children and the elderly.
• They are likely to occur in rural areas.
• They usually happen on 1- or 2-lane roads, and higher-speed roads.
• They are more likely to result in serious or fatal injury.
• Everyone should be aware of the mailbox as a danger zone."

See Lawrence Egerton's article titled: Lexington, N.C., girl dies after being hit by car

And how about a few more? See the following for additional information.

Ohio's Minimum Liability Limits are a Paltry $12500 | Lombardi Law ... Dec 8, 2009 ... In Champaign County, Ohio, a woman was standing by her mailbox on Wolcott Road, near St. Paris, when a runaway trailer struck the 46 year ...
www.lombardilaw.com/.../ohios-minimum-liability-limits-are-a-paltry-12500.cfm - Cached

But look at all these mailbox location accidents. It’s remarkable how dangerous it is just getting the mail. Are there too many personal injury lawyers or are there too many accidents? You be the judge.

Youth Killed By a Helicopter While Getting His Mail Sparks Debate ... May 15, 2008 ... Seriously guys, you just can't make this stuff up. A 23 year old Canadian college student was killed when a crashing helicopter struck and ...
gizmodo.com/.../youth-killed-by-a-helicopter-while-getting-his-mail-sparks-debate-about-headphone-safety - Cached - Similar

YouTube - kid gets shot while getting the mail!!! kid gets shot while getting the mail!!! thedudes4ever37 6 videos. Subscribe .... Language: English; Location: Worldwide; Safety mode: Off. Loading. ... il.youtube.com/watch?v=WWUKR-0qOZI

Girl, 10, Killed While Getting Mail, Jul 19, 2010 ... VERONA, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky State Police say a 10-year-old girl suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by a car in northern Kentucky. www.wbko.com/home/headlines/98734734.html - Cached

Darlington man struck by car, killed while getting mail - WMBFNews ..., Aug 4, 2010 ... An 81-year-old man has been pronounced dead after being struck by a car Tuesday afternoon in Darlington. www.wmbfnews.com/global/story.asp?s=12923353

Youth Killed By a Helicopter While Getting His Mail Sparks Debate ..., May 15, 2008 ... Seriously guys, you just can't make this stuff up. A 23 year old Canadian college student was killed when a crashing helicopter struck and ... gizmodo.com/.../youth-killed-by-a-helicopter-while-getting-his-mail-sparks-debate-about-headphone-safety - Cached - Similar

Update: Dodge County man hit, killed by Jeep while getting his ..., May 29, 2010 ... Update: Dodge County man hit, killed by Jeep while getting his mail identified. Story. Font Size: Default font size: Larger font size ... host.madison.com/.../article_62a04a0c-6add-11df-8e49-001cc4c002e0.html - Cached

Westfield man killed after being struck by drunk driver | masslive.com, Aug 29, 2010 ... SOUTH HADLEY – A 22-year old Westfield man was killed after getting ... was just beginning while getting his mail on a Saturday afternoon. ... www.masslive.com/news/.../westfield_man_killed_after_bei.html - Cached

Man Killed While Getting His Mail - Fox 8 WWCP TV, May 7, 2010 ... Police say the victim has pulled up to his mailbox to get his mail, but apparently dropped an envelope. He opened the door to get it, ... www.fox8tv.com/News/NewsDetails.asp?NewsID=2865 - Cached

Police Release ID on Elderly Man Hit and Killed While Checking ..., Aug 18, 2010 ... New Canaan Police are looking for the driver who struck and killed Jayarama Krishna, 84, of New Canaan, while he was checking his mail. ...
www.nbcconnecticut.com/.../Elderly-Man-Hit-and-Killed-While-Checking-Mail-101042354.html - Cached

CBS 58 News - Man killed while trying to get his mail - Struck by ..., May 28, 2010 ... TOWN OF LOWELL - A 79-year-old man was killed while going to get his mail in Dodge County Friday afternoon. Authorities say the man was ... www.cbs58.com/index.php?aid=12553 - Cached