Are Accidents with U-Haul Trucks the Same as Other Truck Accidents?
U-Haul trucks range in size from small pickups to large box trucks. These trucks, which are rented to the public, don’t require a special license or experience to operate. That means people who are not used to driving larger trucks may operate them on the roadways, putting infrastructures and other motorists at risk. In this way, these accidents are different from accidents with other types of commercial vehicles.
If you are involved in a truck accident with a U-Haul truck, you may wonder how to seek compensation. Should you file a claim with the driver’s insurance, with U-Haul, or with your own insurance company? The details of the accident help guide you in this regard, and an experienced truck accident attorney can help you know what your options are.
What Is a U-Haul Truck?
A U-Haul truck is a type of rental truck that is commonly used for moving or transporting large items. U-Haul trucks come in a variety of sizes, ranging from pickups to 10-foot box trucks to 26-foot box trucks.
Each has various features such as loading ramps, tie-downs, and air conditioning. They are designed to be reliable and easy to drive, making them a popular choice for people who are moving their household belongings, furniture, or other large items.
Does the Driver’s Auto Insurance Policy Provide Coverage?
Because most auto insurance plans do cover drivers when they rent a car, many people think the same is true when they rent a U-Haul truck. After all, the transaction feels similar. However, many auto insurance plans have weight and size limits. They won’t cover any incident that occurs when the covered driver is operating a vehicle that falls outside of those limits.
If you are renting a U-Haul truck or any type of moving truck, you should be aware of the limitations of your own policy. This ensures you can make a proactive decision to purchase other coverage to protect yourself if there is an issue while you’re driving the vehicle.
If you’re involved in an accident with a U-Haul truck, you may need to find out the details of the driver’s personal auto insurance plan. This helps you understand if that plan may be a source of compensation for any losses you sustained as a result of the accident if the U-Haul driver was at fault.
Does U-Haul Provide Coverage?
U-Haul damage coverage includes a variety of plans that the driver can purchase at the time they rent the moving truck. Only one level of coverage includes liability, and that is Safemove Plus®.
If you are in an accident with a U-Haul truck and it is the driver of that truck’s fault, you may be able to seek compensation through the U-Haul damage coverage plan if the driver purchased Safemove Plus. If they did not purchase Safemove Plus, there is no U-Haul insurance you can seek compensation from.
Liability Matters in an Accident Involving a U-Haul Truck
How you seek compensation for damages sustained in a collision related to a U-Haul truck depends on who might be liable for the incident. Here are just a few examples of cases where different parties might be liable:
- U-Haul acted in a negligent way. If U-Haul might be liable for the accident because it acted in a negligent way, you could sue the company and its insurance. Examples of how a moving truck rental company could be liable include knowingly renting faulty equipment or renting equipment that it should have reasonably known was faulty. If U-Haul rented to a driver irresponsibly, such as renting to someone without a license, it might also be held liable.
- The U-Haul driver was at fault. If the U-Haul driver did not operate the vehicle following traffic laws or reasonable safety expectations, they might be held liable for the incident. For example, in a speeding accident where the U-Haul driver was driving the truck at excessive speeds, they may be considered the at-fault driver.
- The driver of a third vehicle was at fault. It’s possible that you might be caught up in an accident that involves a U-Haul vehicle and other cars and trucks. In such a case, another driver may have caused the accident. In this case, you would need to seek compensation from that driver and their insurance company.
Ways a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Understanding who might be liable in a car accident of any type is an important first step toward making a case for compensation. If you plan to file a lawsuit to seek compensation, you also have to know who to name in that lawsuit.
In a case involving a U-Haul truck, you may need to name a variety of people and entities in your lawsuit. Depending on the nature of the case, you might name the driver, the driver’s insurance company, U-Haul, and U-Haul’s insurance company. Because U-Haul is a franchise company, things can be even more complex. You may need to name the specific U-Haul dealer involved in renting the truck in question.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can dig into the details of your case to determine who might be named in a lawsuit. They can also review your case to help you understand what type of compensation you might seek, negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies, and compile evidence to help make your case in court if necessary. To find out more about how a personal injury lawyer can help with your car accident case, constant High Stakes Injury Law today.