Rental Truck Accident
Rental truck services are a popular choice for individuals moving to a new place. Most people can’t transport large objects, such as furniture, in their vehicles. A rental truck allows people to move their belongings on their own without hiring a moving company.
There are very few driving requirements for operating a rental truck. For this reason, among others, rental truck accidents can occur. When a rental truck collides with a smaller vehicle, such as a car or mini-van, injuries to vehicle occupants and others on the road can be severe.
If you’ve been injured in a rental truck crash, contact William Mattar law offices. We can look closely at your case and help determine if you’re entitled to financial compensation. Don’t wait to get help—call (844) 444-4444 today to speak to an experienced accident attorney.
The Risk of Driving a Rental Truck
Established rental truck companies such as U-Haul, Budget, Penske, and Enterprise offer different rental options for customers. Depending on your needs, you can rent a truck at any available size. Most rental trucks are larger than the average passenger vehicle. U-Haul, for example, offers trucks widely ranging in size, from a standard pickup truck to trailers that reach up to 26-ft. in length.
For this reason, it can sometimes be risky for a person who is not experienced or trained to drive a big truck to get behind the wheel of one. Being unskilled at driving trucks or large vehicles can potentially raise the risk of a serious motor vehicle collision.
How Does a Rental Truck Crash Happen?
There are a few common factors that may help explain why rental truck crashes occur. These include:
- Driver inexperience: Rental companies do not always require customers to have special training before driving one of their trucks, which can be dangerous for several reasons. First, there are important differences between cars and trucks that can sometimes make trucks challenging to drive. Like tractor-trailers, rental trucks have significant blind spots that can make it hard for drivers to see behind and alongside the vehicle. Large trucks also require adjustment when turning, changing lanes, and reversing. Naturally, any driver who is not aware of these issues can easily make a mistake on the road, resulting in a truck crash.
- Truck maintenance: Truck maintenance and upkeep is critical to ensure safe driving on roadways. If the rental company, or any other company that owns the vehicle, fails to perform routine maintenance, mechanical failures can occur (such as brake failure). When a rental truck is unsafe, it can put the truck’s occupants and others on the road in danger.
- Improper loading: Any truck, including commercial and rental trucks, must be loaded properly to ensure items are secure and meet applicable safety standards. Those who rent a truck to move are often in charge of loading their rental and may not have experience in this area. If a rental truck is loaded improperly, it can cause cargo to shift or tip in transport, causing the vehicle to become unbalanced and more prone to a rollover accident.
If you’ve been injured due to a rental truck driver’s negligence or while renting an unsafe truck, contact us today.
Fault in a Rental Truck Accident
When determining fault in a rental truck accident, it is important to consider which party’s actions caused or contributed to the crash. Depending on how the accident occurred, there may be one or more parties that share liability and are therefore responsible for paying damages to injury victims.
In some cases, the rental truck driver may be liable for the accident. For instance, drivers may fail to check their blind spot before changing lanes and colliding with another car. This action can be classified as “negligent.” The driver, if proven liable, would be responsible for providing compensation for any injured person in the rental truck accident.
Depending on the case, the rental truck company could also be liable for a crash involving one of their trucks. If the truck was not properly maintained or otherwise unsafe to drive, they might be responsible for any damage caused as a result. An accident attorney at William Mattar can review your case and help determine which party is responsible for your accident.
Injured in a Rental Truck Accident? Call William Mattar.
If you were injured in a rental truck accident, William Mattar can help. We know how challenging a severe accident injury can be. Our truck accident attorneys can assist you with your claim and fight to get the best results possible. To request a free initial consultation, call (844) 444-4444 or submit our online consultation form.
