Can U-Haul Be Responsible for Accidents Involving Its Trucks in New Hampshire?
U-Haul trucks are quite popular in New Hampshire and many other states. In fact, you may have probably even rented a U-Haul truck yourself. As its name implies (“you haul”), the company allows people to rent its trucks to move items from point A to point B.
While U-Haul is a convenient and cost-efficient way to move, the company’s trucks can cause car accidents, especially when operated by inexperienced or unlicensed drivers. The dangers of U-Haul accidents were evident in a recent crash in Rochester, New Hampshire.
As reported by CBS Boston, a U-Haul accident left one person dead after a truck hit a tree on Chestnut Hill Road. One passenger died at the scene, while another passenger and the driver were hospitalized.
Causes of U-Haul Accidents
Negligence causes the vast majority of U-Haul crashes in New Hampshire and other states. Common causes of car accidents involving U-Haul trucks and vans include:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Inexperienced driver
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Mechanical problems
- Faulty equipment
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Improper turns or lane changes
- Road rage
- Aggressive driving
- Reckless driving
Is U-Haul Responsible for Your Accident?
As a rule of thumb, U-Haul is not typically responsible or liable for accidents involving drivers who rent their trucks and vans. Technically, the driver who operates a U-Haul truck is not the company’s employee. They are merely a person who rented the vehicle. Generally, if you were injured in a vehicle crash involving a U-Haul truck, you would typically be bringing a personal injury claim against the driver who rented the truck rather than the rental company itself.
However, there may be exceptions to the general rule, which is why it is advised to talk about your case with an experienced car accident attorney in New Hampshire. U-Haul could potentially be responsible for a crash involving its truck or van if the company was negligent in renting a vehicle to the driver who caused the accident or rented an unsafe vehicle. You may be able to pursue a claim against U-Haul if the company:
- Rented the vehicle to an unlicensed motorist;
- Knew or should have known that the driver was incompetent or otherwise unfit to operate a moving truck;
- Knew or should have known that the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs when renting the truck (you may be able to recover damages from U-Haul if your collision was caused by a drunk U-Haul driver);
- Failed to inspect or maintain the U-Haul truck or van in good condition;
- Rented out a U-Haul truck despite knowing that the vehicle had defects or mechanical problems; or
- If a U-Haul employee or agent was operating the vehicle.
If you were injured in an auto accident involving a U-Haul truck, do not hesitate to speak with our Manchester car accident lawyers at the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC. You may be entitled to financial compensation despite the fact that U-Haul drivers are not employed by the company. Call at 603-624-7200 to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.
Resource:
boston.cbslocal.com/2020/08/22/one-killed-when-u-haul-strikes-tree-in-rochester-nh/
