Moving requires several essential steps. For many Sandy Springs residents, one step is renting a U-Haul truck or trailer to transport home items. Unfortunately, if something goes wrong along the way, it can lead to a serious accident.
Many people don’t have experience with driving U-Haul trucks. The large vehicle combined with heavy cargo is a recipe for disaster in some situations. If you or a loved one were injured, contact a Sandy Springs U-Haul truck accident lawyer.
Our lawyers at John Foy & Associates know the stress of a U-Haul accident. You probably have painful injuries and expensive costs to handle. But we know what it takes to build a strong case for compensation. To discuss your legal options with us during a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
U-Haul Rental Truck Accidents in Sandy Springs
U-Haul is a company that rents out trucks, trailers, or storage and moving equipment. With more than 20,000 locations, U-Haul is a common choice for movers in Sandy Springs and throughout Georgia. Other similar rental companies include Budget, Penske, and Enterprise.
U-Haul provides convenient renting services for everyone. However, many risks come with renting a moving truck or trailer. For one, many drivers are not experienced in driving such a large vehicle. Plus, vehicles that travel long distances can have maintenance issues if the company isn’t diligent.
U-Haul-related crashes happen more often than people realize. And when a collision involves a large rental truck, the damages can be awful. Victims can suffer severe injuries, costly damages, or even death.
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Types of U-Haul Trucks
U-Haul rents out different types of vehicles and equipment, including:
- Pickup trucks
- Cargo vans
- Moving trucks ranging from 10 feet to 26 feet
- Cargo trailers ranging from 4-feet by 8-feet to 6-feet by 12-feet
U-Haul can also provide delivery containers, storage units, moving accessories, and packing supplies. If a mover needs help, the company also offers moving services.
Why U-Haul Accidents Happen
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 145 fatal rental truck accidents between 2005 and 2010. Many people died or suffered severe injuries in these crashes. These types of collisions occur more often than movers would think.
Many times, a U-Haul truck accident driver is responsible for the accident. U-Haul’s do-it-yourself nature is convenient for many movers, but that doesn’t always mean it’s safe.
Most large trucks involve an employed driver with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). But truck renters do not have extra qualifications or training. So, many accidents happen because of:
- Driver inexperience
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Improper lane changes
- Blindspot accidents
- Failure to yield
- Improperly-loaded items
- Poorly-secured cargo
Moving is a stressful experience for most people. When a renter gets behind the wheel of a U-Haul truck, they might be fatigued. Unfortunately, driver fatigue is a widespread cause of accidents.
Some U-Haul accidents happen for other reasons. The truck or trailer might have defective parts that lead to accidents. Or, the company could have failed to keep up with routine maintenance.
No matter the cause, you shouldn’t have to pay for an accident that wasn’t your fault. But you will need to prove how the accident happened and who was at fault. Getting the facts often requires help from a legal professional. To discuss your case during a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
The Hazards of Renting U-Haul Equipment
Renting from U-Haul always comes with risks. If a driver isn’t experienced with large trucks or trailers, they can make mistakes at any time. A big part of the problem is vehicle size. It’s easy for drivers to lose control of the vehicle or poorly-load a trailer.
If someone doesn’t load their items correctly, they might spill from the trailer. This can lead to even more serious injuries. Some U-Haul accidents involve multiple vehicles and victims at one time.
U-Haul collisions can happen because of issues with:
- Longer stopping times
- Higher vehicle weight
- Bigger blind spots
- Defective trailers or other parts
- Poorly-inspected rentals
Distracted Driving and U-Haul Truck Accidents
Distracted driving is incredibly common for all drivers in Sandy Springs. It’s even more of a problem with U-Haul trucks and other moving truck rentals.
Most renters are moving to an entirely new location. They’re probably using a GPS to know where to go, and they might be texting or accepting phone calls to coordinate their trip. All of these actions can cause hazardous distractions that result in serious accidents.
If you believe a U-Haul driver was distracted before they caused your accident, talk to a lawyer. You will probably need help gathering evidence to show the driver’s carelessness. For example, you might need to pull the driver’s cell phone records to show that they were texting or on their phone.
Insurance Coverage for U-Haul Accidents
Most auto insurance policies do not cover U-Haul accidents. That’s because U-Haul trucks and trailers often exceed the insurance policy weight restrictions. Even if an insurance company does cover an accident, the renter must still pay U-Haul for any damage.
U-Haul has liability insurance, but only for each state’s minimum. If the driver causes an accident, their insurance might not cover all of your damages. You might need to sue the driver or file more than one claim to pursue what you deserve.
Contact Our Sandy Springs U-Haul Truck Accident Lawyers for Free
U-Haul-related accidents are too common in Sandy Springs. They can leave victims with severe and painful damages that last for many years. If you or a loved one were victims, you must know your compensation rights.
John Foy & Associates can help after your accident. We start with a free, no-risk consultation. We’ll discuss your collision and how it’s affected you. From there, we can create a plan for getting you the recovery you deserve.
Our attorneys do not charge a fee unless we win your case. You can get started today with no upfront or out-of-pocket costs. To schedule a free consultation with us today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
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