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A Uhaul Maryland truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the unique challenges in a Uhaul accident. Not only are Uhauls more likely to be in a truck accident, but the drivers tend to be unsure of the next steps when things go awry. Why might a Uhaul be more likely to be in an accident, and it is their fault? Depending on the size of the Uhaul truck, ranging from a pickup truck to a 26-foot truck, maneuvering such a large vehicle without prior experience can be challenging. One might argue that Uhaul should require special licensing or training before renting out a 26-foot truck, but that would disrupt their entire business model. Thus, they continue to rent large trucks out to inexperienced truck drivers. Moreover, Maryland road conditions can be tricky. Some cities, like Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda, Bowie, and others, vary significantly, and traffic can be dense.
While a novice trucker might hope that much of their trip will be on highways or open roads, moving furniture or anything else often requires navigating dense urban environments. This is when accidents occur. Whether it is a blind spot accident or a rear-end collision, a Uhaul Maryland truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve following your accident. Understanding the legal landscape and what steps to take immediately following your accident is critical to protecting your rights. Below, we discuss the unique risks associated with UHaul trucks and the surprising silver lining you may discover. Whether the accident is due to a mechanical failure, negligent vehicle maintenance, a driver without a license, or simple carelessness behind the wheel, we will aggressively pursue the defendant to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact Gelb & Gelb today to speak with a Uhaul Maryland truck accident lawyer.
There are several risks associated with Uhaul trucks. This is not to say that Uhauls have a reputation for being negligently maintained. Rather, large trucks are tricky to maneuver in urban environments without experience or training. Making a tight turn in a downtown city is difficult, even for the most experienced truckers in Maryland. Moreover, if you do not properly load your Uhaul, items may shift around during transport. This can shift the truck’s center of gravity and make handling even more difficult than it already is. One thing that surprises many first-time Uhaul drivers is the lack of a rearview mirror. Or, if there is a rearview mirror, it is completely blocked by the ample cargo traveling immediately behind the truck. Thus, the driver is only able to use his side-view mirrors. While this is sufficient to drive safely on the road, it is more difficult.
The good news is that those sideview mirrors tend to have blindspot checks attached to their mirrors. Unfortunately, the lack of a rearview mirror makes detecting speeding vehicles behind the trucker looking to merge into the left or right lane more difficult. Of course, blind spots are also one of the most risky and challenging risks of driving a Uhaul truck. While a second, smaller mirror is attached to each sideview mirror, this is an imperfect solution to a dangerous problem. Uhaul trucks are not equipped with more advanced blind spot detection systems, which are found in other 18-wheelers or even smaller motor vehicles. Lastly, a unique risk of driving a Uhaul truck is parking. For an inexperienced driver, parking a Uhaul truck is hard. Consider having a friend spot you outside the vehicle if you park a Uhaul.
Our Uhaul Maryland truck accident lawyers select one legal responsibility as the most important part of renting a Uhaul. This is to ensure that you have auto insurance. If you are an individual acting in your personal capacity independently of any business, you must get insurance to protect you. First, the law prohibits you from driving without auto insurance. Second, insurance protects your assets from a judgment. If you are injured by a Uhaul driver who did not purchase coverage for their Uhaul, you must still obtain their auto insurance for their vehicle at home. The good news is that Uhaul generally checks whether the renter has auto insurance before renting a truck. If they cannot verify that they have an active policy, Uhaul knows they must sell coverage to the renter or not allow the renter to drive one of their trucks.
Unfortunately, some Uhaul employees fail to properly check whether the policy is active. For example, a renter may present an insurance card to the Uhaul employee that shows the expiration date. So long as the present date is before the expiration date, the employee may assume the coverage is valid. This is not always the case. Insurers cancel policies all the time. The most common reason is if the insured stops paying their monthly premium.
A Gelb & Gelb Uhaul Maryland truck accident lawyer can help you with all types of claims in Uhaul accidents so long as they relate to a personal injury. The most common claim type is negligence when a third party collides with your vehicle carelessly. If they are driving a Uhaul and do not have permission to drive the truck or have any other excuses, that should not be your concern. While that may be an insurance coverage issue, that is not the proximate cause of the accident. You should speak with an experienced attorney to determine whether you have a case worth pursuing. Below is a list of Maryland’s most common types of Uhaul truck accidents.
The role of insurance in settling a Uhaul accident or taking it to trial is pivotal to the case. Many insurers will try to disclaim coverage for a driver driving a Uhaul. This makes some sense. The damages after a Uhaul accident tend to be far greater than the damages in the typical motor vehicle accident, which is what the insurer originally contracted for. Nonetheless, it is up to Uhaul to ensure coverage before releasing control of the truck. In the worst-case scenario, you may have to make an uninsured motorist claim through your own policy. If you pursue this option, you must first prove that no coverage from the adverse driver is available. Then, you must note that your rates should not increase if you did not cause the accident. There is no basis for doing so, as you did not demonstrate a propensity to cause an accident.
Nor should your insurer punish you for using something that you contracted to be able to use. This is a common point of confusion, so contact our Uhaul Maryland truck accident lawyers today with any questions.
Hiring a Uhaul Maryland truck accident lawyer is essential for many reasons. Our attorneys investigate your case, determine liability, negotiate with large insurance companies, and ensure that all potential sources of compensation are explored.
Contact our office today for a free consultation and case evaluation at (202) 331-7227.
Copyright © 2024 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.