The idea of moving to a new place or city can be exciting, but the act of moving can prove to be the total opposite. Every year, residents move in and out of Metairie, Louisiana, and they often rent out U-Haul vehicles or other moving truck vehicles to transport their personal items to their new destination. Yet, what might come as a surprise to many people is how difficult operating a moving truck actually is.
According to a 2014 report by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 134 rental trucks were evaluated to determine the critical cause of the accident. The FMCSA found that 44% of crashes were caused by the truck or truck driver, while 56% were caused by another vehicle, driver, or environmental factor.
If you were injured in an accident involving a U-Haul driver, you might be able to recover compensation from the truck driver or whoever contributed fault to the accident. A Metairie U-Haul truck accident lawyer can review your case to determine how to proceed with your claim or lawsuit. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 for more information.
U-Haul Rental Drivers Are Often Inexperienced with Maneuvering Large Trucks
Drivers do not need to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to rent a moving van or truck, which can be convenient for quick rental needs but risky for drivers who have never operated a vehicle larger than the standard passenger vehicle. Part of the education and training that comes with obtaining a CDL is learning how to drive a truck with new dimensions, weight properties, and safety requirements.
Some of the common mistakes inexperienced U-Haul rental drivers make on the road include:
- They do not load the U-Haul truck properly: Furniture must be loaded evenly throughout the truck to create an equal distribution. If drivers load furniture and items improperly onto the truck, they might have difficulty keeping the truck balanced during turns and risk tipping over.
- They do not factor in the weight of the vehicle: Drivers who load more weight than the maximum weight capacity of a truck might put a strain on the tires and internal mechanisms when transporting their items.
- They do not turn wide enough or turn too wide: Unlike passenger vehicles, moving trucks cannot make sharp turns. Drivers might have to enter the next lane to make a proper right turn. That being said, drivers also have to keep track of other drivers before making a wide turn so that they do not accidentally collide with other vehicles.
- They do not position their mirrors properly to see other traffic: U-Haul trucks can have large blind spots, so it is crucial that drivers position their mirrors at the appropriate angles so they can see as many vehicles as possible. Drivers must also take extra precautions to look for other traffic before changing lanes and making turns.
- They do not break early enough to come to a safe stop: Trucks carrying heavy loads need more stopping distance and time to come to a safe stop. This helps prevent the truck driver from colliding in the rear of another vehicle, and it might also prevent items inside the trailer from becoming displaced.
- They are speeding: Speeding in a truck can be incredibly risky, as drivers must lose control of the truck and roll over, skid, swing sideways, or crash into other vehicles or property. Truck drivers are advised to maneuver heavy truckloads at slower speeds to maintain full control of the vehicle.
In some cases, there might be mechanical failures with the U-Haul truck, in which case you might be able to pursue U-Haul for damages due to the negligent maintenance upkeep.
For a free legal consultation with a u-haul truck accident lawyer serving Metairie, call (337) 777-7777
U-Haul Does Not Cover Accidents if Renters Do Not Buy Insurance
U-Haul offers different insurance policies that drivers can purchase before renting a U-Haul vehicle. For moving trucks, these options include Safemove® and Safemove Plus®, and for pickup trucks and vans, drivers may purchase Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). There are other policies drivers can purchase to cover their trips, such as towing coverage, roadside protection, and storage protection.
If drivers choose not to purchase insurance, then in most cases, U-Haul will not cover any accidents they are involved in while using the company’s vehicles. If the U-Haul driver who hit you was not insured by the moving vehicle company, you might have to pursue compensation from their personal auto insurance. However, many auto insurance companies do not cover moving or rental vehicles. Your lawyer may suggest other options, such as filing a lawsuit, to pursue instead if so.
If U-Haul insured a driver, the company may offer to cover bodily injury and property damage, but at the state’s minimum policy requirements. Drivers who purchase Safemove Plus® may be able to provide $1,000,000 of supplemental liability coverage from U-Haul.
A Metairie U-Haul truck accident lawyer may be able to find out whether U-Haul’s Safemove® or Safemove Plus® insurance policies apply to your accident case. If not, your lawyer might suggest filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer or filing a personal injury lawsuit against them. Whichever legal route you want to take is up to you.
If you need more information about what you can do about your case, call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.
Metairie U-Haul Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
File Your Case Early to Begin Pursuing Compensation
If you decide to file a lawsuit against the U-Haul driver or the moving vehicle company itself, the Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §3492 generally gives you one year to do so.
You might need to consult your lawyer on what compensable damages you might be able to pursue, as different insurance policies cover different forms of damages. Generally speaking, you might be able to recover any medical expenses for injuries you sustained and property damage costs. However, you might also be entitled to recovering lost income and awards for your pain and suffering.
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Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for Help with Your U-Haul Truck Accident Case
Knowing who is liable in an accident involving a U-Haul truck can get tricky, especially when determining which party’s insurance policy applies. A Metairie U-Haul truck accident lawyer may be able to investigate your case to determine the liable parties and then help you file an insurance claim or lawsuit. We want to put our effort into fighting for your justice because we believe victims should not have to deal with the consequences of someone else’s actions alone.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free case evaluation. A team member is waiting to help you with your case.
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