U‑Haul Truck Accidents
Whether it’s a moving van, box truck, or tow‑behind trailer, accidents involving U‑Haul trucks on California roads bring challenges beyond a typical collision. Victims often face serious injuries on top of complex liabilities, and the potential stress of dealing with a national rental company’s claims process can be overwhelming.
However, at Pacific Attorney Group, we specialize in using our deep knowledge of the California vehicle codes and federal regulations to recover substantial compensation for your damages. We’re ready to provide both aggressive advocacy and compassionate support from your initial call through resolution. Take a look at how we can help you with a seamless experience when you need it most.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- A Closer Look at U‑Haul Truck Accidents
- Potential Injuries
- Legal Rights and Options
- How We Can Help
- Next Steps
Key Takeaways
- We examine rental contracts, maintenance and inspection records, and driver histories to uncover crucial evidence.
- Our attorneys navigate shared liability among renters, U‑Haul corporate policies, and third‑party claims to build a strong case.
- You’ll receive clear, regular updates and empathetic guidance, ensuring you understand every step of your claim.
A Closer Look at U-Haul Truck Accidents
U‑Haul truck accidents involve collisions with rental vehicles—from 10‑foot vans to 26‑foot box trucks and trailers. Many drivers lack experience handling these larger vehicles, which can lead to rollovers, jackknife crashes, and loss of control, especially in heavy traffic or on narrow roads.
When it comes to liability for accidents involving U-Haul trucks, they often involve multiple parties, including the individual who rented and operated the truck, the local franchise that provided the vehicle, and potentially even the U-Haul corporate entity. Evidence will include things like rental agreements, pre‑rental inspection checklists, and maintenance logs, and they’ll all be needed when it comes to determining fault and, ultimately, liability.
California’s vehicle code also imposes duties on both drivers and rental companies to ensure safe operation and upkeep. Any failure—such as undisclosed damage or skipped maintenance—can form the basis of a negligence claim.
Some of the Reasons U-Haul Truck Accidents Can Be Highly Complex
U‑Haul truck accidents often involve multiple layers of responsibility, making these claims far more intricate than the average Main St. fender bender. First and foremost, liability can be shared among the individual renter, the local U‑Haul franchise, and the corporate entity, which will all have their insurance coverage and contractual obligations.
Rental agreements and pre‑rental inspection checklists become critical pieces of evidence, since they’ll help determine the condition of the vehicle and any potential preexisting damage. On top of that, experts need to analyze maintenance logs and repair records so it can be determined whether or not U-Haul fulfilled its duty to keep its rental vehicles in safe condition.
Finally, tracking down and interpreting black‑box data or surveillance footage adds another layer of technical complexity that can be nearly impossible for the average person to deal with obtaining and evaluating. All of these factors combined create the need for a thorough, professional investigation and an expertly crafted legal case.
Injuries Common During a U‑Haul Truck Accident
Psychological and Emotional Trauma
No matter how severe the accident ends up being, there’s always the potential for lasting emotional impact and psychological trauma. Survivors of more serious accidents may suffer from post‑traumatic stress disorder, depression, and severe anxiety in vehicles. All of which can compound the potential physical recovery and may require specialized mental health care.
Soft Tissue Damage
Even in collisions that don’t cause fractures, occupants can suffer significant soft tissue injuries. Sprains and strains occur when ligaments or muscles are overstretched, while contusions and lacerations result from blunt force trauma and broken glass. Soft tissue injuries like these can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and more if not treated promptly.
Orthopedic Injuries
The violent forces in a U‑Haul accident frequently lead to broken bones and fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and wrists. These injuries often necessitate surgical procedures to realign and stabilize the bones using plates, screws, or rods. Recovery often requires physical and occupational therapy to help restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Lacking proper treatment, even breaks and fractures can lead to permanent disability.
Internal Organ Trauma
When the chest or abdomen strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or seatbelt during a U‑Haul crash, internal organs can suffer serious harm. Liver lacerations, damage to the spleen or kidneys, or other internal bleeding and lung contusions are possible. Internal organ injuries usually require emergency surgery to control hemorrhaging. Recovery can involve extended hospital stays, intensive care monitoring, and follow‑up treatments to address complications like infection or organ dysfunction.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
The high mass of U‑Haul trucks can exert tremendous compressive or torsional forces on a smaller vehicle’s occupants, resulting in spinal injuries. Fractured vertebrae, disc herniations and bulges, and spinal cord contusions can happen, which can lead to a lifetime of chronic back pain, numbness, and motor function loss. The most severe cases require surgery, physical therapy, and long‑term pain management to restore mobility and a minimum quality of life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs are some of the most potentially serious and life-altering injuries. In a U‑Haul collision, the sudden force of impact can cause the brain to slam against the skull’s interior, leading to a range of injuries. Victims may experience headaches, dizziness, memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Long‑term effects can include cognitive deficits, personality changes, and emotional alteration.
Your Legal Rights and Options
Time is critical following a U‑Haul truck accident. Under California law, you generally have only two years to file your personal injury claim, and even shorter deadlines may apply in certain situations, such as cases involving public entities. Acting swiftly ensures that vital evidence is preserved and your claim is filed within the required time limits.
Pacific Attorney Group Focuses On Your Maximum Recovery
When you partner with the Pacific Attorney Group, we’re focused on helping you recover maximum compensation from day one. We begin every U‑Haul truck accident case with an exhaustive investigation.
Our legal team will secure and review rental agreements, pre‑rental inspection checklists, maintenance logs, and any data streaming or recording devices the vehicles may have been equipped with. Working with leading accident reconstruction specialists, we’ll recreate every moment of the crash to pinpoint maximum liability.
Once we’re armed with a solid foundation of evidence, we’ll build on that with our strategy of aggressive negotiation on your behalf. You won’t need to worry about talking on the phone with insurance adjusters and accidentally saying something wrong, we’ll be the primary point of contact, your representative and tireless advocate. If the insurers refuse to to negotiate in good faith, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial to let a judge and jury get you the justice you deserve.
No matter what, the entire time, you’ll have compassionate support and clear communication. You’ll get regular updates so that you know what’s happening with your case at every stage.
Your Trusted Partner For U-Haul Truck Accidents
When it comes to U‑Haul truck accident claims, trust Pacific Attorney Group to fight tirelessly for your rights with expert precision and compassionate care. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let our experienced team secure the compensation you deserve.