Rental Truck Accidents In GA
It is not uncommon to see someone driving a moving vehicle such as a U-Haul, Budget Rental, Penske, or other moving truck when you are out on the roadways of Georgia. These vehicles provide a relatively inexpensive way for a person to move their property from place to place, whether this be across town or across the country. However, accidents involving these large moving trucks can lead to severe injuries for those involved. The reality is that it does not take any special certifications to be able to rent and operate these vehicles, and crashes caused by inexperienced drivers are not uncommon.
Are there requirements to drive a U-Haul or other rental truck?
In general, the only requirement to operate a U-Haul or other large moving truck is that a person have a valid driver’s license. A regular license will allow a person to operate a vehicle that weighs as much as 26,000 pounds. For those who are used to operating smaller vehicles such as sedans, this is a major change. It should come as no surprise that many accidents involving moving trucks are caused by operator inexperience.
Due to the size and weight of a U-Haul or other large moving truck, it is not uncommon for those inside of traditional passenger vehicles to sustain severe injuries in the event a collision occurs. These injuries often include:
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Severe sprains or strains
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Other neck or back injuries
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
- Crush injuries or amputations
Does the rental truck company provide insurance coverage?
Rental truck companies do offer supplemental insurance at the time a person rents their vehicle. However, most people who rent these vehicles opt not to purchase supplemental insurance. This means that liability for any crash caused by a rental truck driver will fall onto their personal auto insurance coverage. Unfortunately, the minimum policy limits of a person’s auto insurance policy may not cover all the expenses in a rental truck crash. If a rental truck operator did purchase additional insurance, then the rental truck company’s policy could help pay some of the expenses.
In some cases, it may be determined that the reason the crash occurred was due to a defective rental truck. In these situations, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit against the rental truck company in order to recover the compensation necessary. Regardless of liability in these incidents, it is strongly recommended that you seek assistance from a Georgia rental truck accident attorney to help with your case. You need someone to protect you after you have been injured, and an attorney can use their resources to determine liability and help recover full compensation for your losses.
What types of compensation are available in a rental truck crash?
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a rental truck crash caused by the negligence of another party, there may be various types of compensation available for your claim. This includes:
- Coverage of all medical bills related to the crash
- Lost income if you cannot work while you recover
- Any household out-of-pocket expenses caused by the crash
- Pain and suffering damages
- Property damage expenses
Even if it is determined that you shared some fault for the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation for the incident. So long as your amount of fault does not exceed 50%, you can still recover compensation under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence laws. Call us today to speak with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer.