Residents of Sandy Springs move from one home to another for many reasons. Job changes, school, or other life changes can lead an individual or family to move locations. Many people use a rental truck, such as a Budget truck, to transport their items.
Unfortunately, a safe Budget truck journey isn’t guaranteed. If a driver or someone else is careless, it can cause a serious accident. If you or a loved one were victims of this type of crash, you might be entitled to compensation.
Talk to a Sandy Springs Budget truck accident lawyer to know your options. At John Foy & Associates, we can review your case at no cost. We’ll determine your legal options and can help you seek compensation. To learn more during a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Rental Truck Accident Laws
When a rental truck accident happens, the legalities are complicated. For example, many movers are traveling from one state to another. Each state can have different ways of handling auto accidents, so you might wonder which laws apply.
U.S. laws address financial responsibility when renting a vehicle. Under 49 U.S.C. 30106, truck rental companies usually aren’t responsible for accidents that happen during a lease. This law applies as long as:
- The truck’s owner rents or leases vehicles as a business, and
- The owner has not engaged in “negligence or criminal wrongdoing.”
When someone rents a Budget truck, they are taking on responsibility for any accidents that may occur. So, if a Budget truck driver causes your accident, they’re probably someone who rented that truck and is also likely liable.
Most rental companies require drivers to purchase additional auto insurance. The driver will probably have insurance through their own insurance or the company’s insurance. You’ll need to know the details so that you know where to file a claim for compensation.
Also, liability laws apply to the state where the accident occurred. If the crash happened in Sandy Springs, Georgia’s rules apply. That means the at-fault driver is liable for all accident damages. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-6, you can file a claim to recover your losses.
Get the strong arm
Determining Liability in a Budget Truck Accident
If you were hurt in a Budget truck accident, you may deserve compensation for your damages. You’ll need to investigate the crash and gather details. Suppose you were not at fault and the accident happened in Georgia. In that case, you can file a claim against the responsible party.
As mentioned above, the Budget truck driver is usually liable for the accident. However, the at-fault parties can include any of the following:
- The rental truck driver
- A third-party driver
- A vehicle manufacturer
- The Budget rental company
- A store that rents trucks to customers
Sometimes, faulty maintenance leads to a truck accident. If so, the maintenance company or mechanic might be at fault. Or, a truck might contain defective parts because of a manufacturer. In either case, you may have a claim against another company.
Some home improvement stores also rent out Budget trucks. If the store was negligent in some way, they may also be responsible for the accident. The same would go for Budget if its wrongdoing was somehow involved in the crash.
When Budget Is Responsible for an Accident
Budget could be liable for your accident if:
- They allowed the driver to rent a truck when they shouldn’t have
- The truck was not up-to-date on maintenance and inspections
- The company knew about a dangerous issue with the truck and rented it out anyway
If you suspect the company was negligent in your accident, contact a lawyer. You might have a case against Budget or another involved company.
To discuss the details with an experienced lawyer, call John Foy & Associates. We’ve been helping rental truck accident victims for over 20 years. Plus, we don’t get paid unless we win you money.
To get started with a free, no-risk consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
What to Do After a Budget Truck Accident
After an accident with a Budget truck, you won’t know the details right away. Most likely, you’ll be in pain and shock about what occurred. Before worrying about fault, it’s important to document the accident and get legal help.
After the accident, you can protect your rights by:
- Reporting the accident to the police
- Taking pictures of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the entire accident scene
- Exchanging contact and insurance information with the driver
- Getting contact information from eyewitnesses
- Calling for emergency medical attention if you or anyone else needs it
- Contacting a Sandy Springs Budget truck accident lawyer
Save all the evidence you can from the accident. Also, avoid taking any blame or discussing fault with the driver. The insurance company might look for ways to use statements against you. Instead, gather information and wait to speak with a lawyer.
When a rental truck crash happens, several parties can be at fault. That means you might have more than one personal injury claim. So, this is not a time to handle a legal case alone.
Talk to a lawyer who can investigate the details and let you know your options. From there, you can seek compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Talk to a Sandy Springs Budget Truck Accident Lawyer
Budget rental trucks can be very helpful for movers throughout the country. However, many rental drivers are not experienced in operating large trucks. The chance of an accident is high, and you must know what to do if you are injured.
You shouldn’t have to pay for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Talk to an attorney about recovering your medical costs, lost wages, and other damages. The law is ultimately on your side, but you’ll need to take action before it’s too late.
John Foy & Associates can help you file a strong personal injury claim. We’ll handle the insurance companies so that you don’t have to. If you can’t get a fair settlement, we can help you prepare for court. We also work on contingency, which means:
- You don’t pay any upfront costs.
- We only charge a fee if we win your case.
- The consultation is 100% free.
To get your free consultation today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
