People who are moving can save a lot of money when they decide to DIY instead of hiring an expensive moving company. However, many people renting their own moving truck don’t know how to safely operate a big U-Haul style truck or a moving van.
When inexperienced rental drivers get out on the road, they cause crashes that result in catastrophic and fatal injuries. These accidents often involve pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycle riders, and people traveling in cars.
Rental moving trucks are heavy, especially when they’re fully loaded. If you or a loved one was struck by a moving truck or van, you may have sustained serious injuries. Your personal injury attorney will investigate the accident and file a claim or a lawsuit to help you recover the money you need to cover your medical bills and other expenses, such as lost income and assisted living care.
What Causes Rental Truck Accidents?
Drivers must remain careful and attentive no matter what type of vehicle they’re driving, but moving trucks and vans are particularly challenging to operate. These vehicles log thousands of miles per week, and they are often poorly maintained.
Rental companies are not required to provide their clients with any type of training on how to operate these behemoths. They just hand the keys to the driver and say, “Good luck.”
People who are moving will often travel great distances without stopping for a rest so they can save money and get to their destination as soon as possible. This creates a dangerous situation with tired drivers operating trucks that they really don’t know how to use.
Factors that contribute to the high number of rental truck crashes include:
- Inexperienced drivers
- Poorly maintained vehicles
- DWI
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe road conditions
- Fatigued drivers
- Speeding
- Drivers who fail to slow down in icy, snowy, rainy, or foggy weather
Why Moving Trucks and Vans Are Difficult to Drive
Drivers don’t need a commercial license to operate a big and bulky rental truck, but it’s not like driving a car. For one thing, these trucks and vans rarely have external cameras, and drivers can’t use the mirror inside the cab to see what’s going on behind them. Instead, they must depend on outside mirrors.
It’s hard to make lane changes in a big truck using the passenger side mirror. Drivers may not be able to see vehicles that are traveling along the passenger side of the vehicle, and this makes lane changes extremely dangerous.
Drivers who are moving are often in a hurry, and this causes rental truck drivers to go faster than they should. They don’t realize how heavy the vehicle is and how much damage it will cause when they crash into another vehicle.
Issues that make moving trucks and vans dangerous to drive include:
- Large turning radius
- Limited maneuverability
- Extended blind spots
- Longer stopping distance
- Less responsive suspension
Who Is Liable for a Moving Truck Accident?
Rental truck companies may be held liable for moving truck accidents in the following circumstances:
- Failure to maintain a safe vehicle
- Faulty tires
- Poorly operational brakes, lights, and other safety features
- Renting a truck to someone who is noticeably intoxicated
- Renting a truck to someone who does not have a valid driver’s license
Anyone who contributes to a crash may be held liable for your injuries, including:
- The rental truck driver
- Manufacturers of defective vehicle parts
- Other negligent drivers
- Contractors who fail to maintain safe roads
- Public officials responsible for road safety
Were You Injured by a Rental Truck Driver?
The experienced litigators at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP will investigate your accident and take steps to help you get the money you need to recover. Our New York City firm has won over a billion dollars for our clients.
Our attorneys have been recognized by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Super Lawyers Magazine for providing excellent service to our clients.
Call us today at (212) 986-7353 to learn more.
