U-Haul is a popular company which rents large, box-shaped trucks to the public. Often, someone renting an apartment or moving into a home rents a U-Haul to transport their possessions, such as their bed and other furniture. U-Haul has several dozen locations in Vermont.
Large trucks are much more dangerous, especially for people accustomed to driving smaller vehicles. In a sense, it’s remarkable that U-Haul even exists. If someone wanted to drive one of these trucks for a living, they would need a Commercial Driver’s License. But anyone who has a valid license can rent a U-Haul truck, pack it up, and head out to their destination.
If you were injured in a collision with a U-Haul, then call Larson & Gallivan Law. OurVermont truck accident lawyers are eager to learn more about the accident and advise you about your legal rights.
Who is At Fault for Your Accident?
Collisions involving a U-Haul are analyzed the same way as other motor vehicle accidents in Vermont. We need to know what happened and who is to blame for the collision so we can assign fault.
In many situations, the driver of the U-Haul is to blame. These are big trucks, and people are not familiar with how to maneuver them. A U-Haul is quite different from an SUV or passenger sedan:
- Larger blind spots, so a driver could easily crash into someone in a blind spot. Also, there is no internal rearview mirror, so there’s a risk of backing over people.
- Wider berth when turning. Unsurprisingly, some people clip a pedestrian or another vehicle when trying to navigate a turn.
- Larger and heavier, which means a fully loaded U-Haul needs more room to come to a complete stop. It’s easy to crash into someone.
- Surprising center of gravity. A person might load the U-Haul in an uneven fashion, which can make the vehicle difficult to turn.
U-Haul is Not Automatically Liable for the Accident
Some people wrongly think that U-Haul has liability for this type of truck accident. That’s just not the case. In fact, federal law states that rental companies are not automatically liable for any accident involving one of their trucks. You can find the Graves Amendment at49 U.S.C. § 30106.
Instead, U-Haul will have liability in only certain situations:
- The truck is dangerous. U-Haul cannot rent a dangerous truck. Instead, they should regularly service their vehicles, and they should pull a truck from their fleet if they have reason to suspect it is dangerous. Suppose they rent a truck with shaky brakes to a customer. The brakes fail, and the truck collides with a car as the driver frantically stomps on the brakes to stop the truck. In this type of situation, the rental company is likely liable for the accident.
- U-Haul rents to someone without a license. The company cannot allow anyone to walk in off the street and rent a truck. They should certainly check that the person has a valid driver’s license before letting them get in the truck and drive it away.
- U-Haul fails to instruct or warn of dangers. The company should give customers a user’s guide or manual that informs them of common, foreseeable dangers, such as the risk that cargo will shift during a commute. If the company fails to give this manual, then we might sue U-Haul.
For these and other reasons, U-Haul might have primary liability for an accident. Let our Vermont truck accident lawyers analyze the facts.
Do You Have a Valid Legal Claim?
Larson & Gallivan Law can help anyone injured by one of these trucks. We often represent motorists or passengers who are struck by someone driving a U-Haul. We can also help a person who rents a U-Haul if it malfunctions or otherwise crashes, and the company is to blame.
Collect useful evidence after an accident:
- Photographs of the scene of the accident, including where the vehicles ended up right after the crash.
- Photographs of the truck. Did something go wrong with the truck? Maybe a tire blew, which made the truck unstable. Take pictures of any defect. Of course, you might not know what to look for. But photograph any obvious defect with the truck that you think contributed to the crash.
- Any materials provided by U-Haul (such as a manual, printed instructions or warnings, and so forth). Also write down the number of the truck and its license plate.
- Eyewitnesses who can let us know how the accident happened. We can meet with them to go over what they remember.
Once you gather all evidence, contact our firm to schedule a free consultation. We’ll meet to discuss the accident in greater detail. Based on your memories, we can check if you have a strong claim for compensation.
What Insurance Applies?
Insurance issues are always complicated after an accident—and collisions involving a U-Haul are no different. Here are some of the policies that apply:
- Liability coverage. Anyone who rents a U-Haul should have liability insurance for the car at home. This insurance will cover a U-Haul accident if the driver is at fault for the crash. Victims can seek compensation for medical care, pain and suffering, and lost income.
- Rental truck coverage. Some people renting a U-Haul purchase the insurance offered at the counter when they pick up the truck.
- Business liability insurance. U-Haul has a business liability insurance to cover any accidents which they cause through the company’s negligence. If U-Haul is to blame for the crash, then we will sue them.
- Collision coverage. A U-Haul might have crashed into you, damaging your car. You might tap your collision coverage to help pay to fix your vehicle.
Call to Schedule a Free Consultation
U-Haul has made it easy for everyday people to move apartments without having to hire a moving company. Nonetheless, any accident can lead to painful injuries, including broken bones, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries. We encourage all victims to reach out to our firm to speak with a Vermont truck accident lawyer in a free, no-obligation consultation.