Macon U-Haul Accident Lawyer

U-Haul’s Maintenance Gaps and How They Lead to Preventable Wrecks

The U-Haul symbol evokes fond memories for many people who have driven rented trucks and vans or hauled trailers across towns, cities and states to pick up stuff or in search of a fresh start. For thousands of drivers on U.S. roads, however, an encounter with a U-Haul vehicle ends in collisions that can cause serious injuries.

Daily rental trucks were involved in about 150 fatal accidents over a recent five-year span studied by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Sadly, some of these tragic accidents have taken place in Georgia. A U-Haul truck passenger was killed in 2017 when the vehicle clipped a tractor trailer on I-75 in Monroe County, for example. A U-Haul truck driver was killed six years later when his vehicle slammed into an 18-wheeler on I-16 in Twiggs County.

These crashes often happen because novice drivers are not accustomed to operating large vans and trucks or do not have experience driving with a trailer attached to their vehicles. Just as common, however, is that the crashes are the totally preventable result of U-Haul’s shoddy inspection and maintenance.

The Macon U-Haul accident lawyers at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm help people and families who have been injured in crashes. We are experienced attorneys who have dedicated our careers to getting our clients the full compensation available under the law.

It is crucial to understand how these crashes happen and who can be held accountable for them. That includes negligent drivers, U-Haul and anyone else for creating the unsafe circumstances that led to the crash or caused it to be more severe.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck or other traffic accident, our Macon U-Haul accident lawyers are just a phone call away. Call us today at 478-845-6464 to speak with an attorney about your rights and options.

How a Lack of Maintenance Can Cause Accidents

U-Haul operates one of the largest rental truck fleets in the world. The size and scope of this operation presents a significant challenge: The company is responsible for ensuring that each and every one of its vehicles is safe for the road.

U-Haul’s operating strategy, which relies heavily on independent dealers and decentralized service networks, makes it harder for the company to live up to its safety responsibilities. Many dealers do not have formal automotive repair experience, and safety inspections can vary widely from site to site.

U-Haul trucks and vans routinely travel hundreds of miles per rental. Sometimes back-to-back renters use vehicles without proper maintenance checks between rentals. Gaps in maintenance records emerge when one location inspects a truck and another does not log or share that information.

The sad and totally predictable result is that vehicles with high mileage and overlooked maintenance issues remain in circulation and ready for the next unsuspecting renter to take them out for a spin. This is a recipe for disaster that increases the risk not only for U-Haul vehicle drivers and passengers, but also everyone sharing roads and streets with them.

Some of the most common mechanical problems in U-Haul rental vehicles include:

• Worn-out brakes or failed brake systems
• Tire blowouts due to neglected tread or pressure checks
• Faulty steering or suspension components
• Malfunctioning lights or signals

These and other issues are not simply minor inconveniences. Defective vehicles and malfunctioning parts can cause drivers who already are uncomfortable to lose control over large trucks and vans.

Brake Failure

Brakes are arguably the most critical safety system on any vehicle, especially rental vans and trucks that weigh several thousand pounds more than average passenger cars.

Worn brake pads and other common maintenance issues increase the amount of time it takes to slow or stop vehicles in response to traffic. This can lead to:

• Rear-end collisions
• Intersection crashes
• Highway pileups

These kinds of accidents are no minor fender benders. They can cause catastrophic injuries and even fatalities, especially for older adults and children who are susceptible to injury and people in smaller vehicles.

Tire Blowouts

Tire blowouts can happen suddenly and without warning. The consequences are amplified on vans and trucks, which may be sent into other traffic lanes, oncoming vehicles or off roads entirely when blowouts happen at highway speeds. Inexperienced drivers often do not know how to regain control of the vehicles, especially when blowouts happen out of nowhere. These crashes frequently involve multiple vehicles and can cause dangerous rollovers.

Blowouts are largely preventable through proper tire inspection.Yet U-Haul vehicles routinely hit the road on bald tread or tires with low pressure.

Steering and Suspension Failures

Faulty steering components may not be immediately noticeable during a quick pre-rental check. They are likely to be missed when checks are inconsistent or rushed.

Steering and suspension issues can cause vehicles to pull to one side, forcing drivers to lose lane control or swerve unexpectedly during routine turns and evasive maneuvers. Inadequate suspension maintenance also worsens vehicles’ ability to handle curves, crosswinds and uneven road surfaces, situations that are common in Georgia and across the U.S.

Trailer Hitch Defects and Unsecured Loads

Most U-Haul renters are not asked whether they have ever previously driven a vehicle hauling a trailer behind it. That is even though driving with a trailer can make it more difficult to execute turns and lane changes.

That is not to mention safety issues that can stem from the trailer hitch, which connects the body of the vehicle to the trailer. A trailer that becomes loose or unattached on the road creates a sudden obstacle for other drivers.

Problems can also arise with how U-Haul trucks and vans are loaded. Cargo that is not properly secured can fall off, posing an immediate traffic safety hazard.

Money Damages for People Injured in U-Haul Accidents

Anyone who has been injured in a traffic accident in Georgia has the right to take action against those responsible. That includes people hurt in crashes involving U-Haul vehicles.

The money damages available in most Georgia traffic accident cases are intended to help injured people get back in the financial position that they were in before the collision. Some of the most commonly awarded compensation includes money for doctors bills and other medical costs, vehicle damage, missed wages and any impact of the injury on the person’s ability to work in the long term.

Non-economic damages may also be awarded in some cases for pain, suffering and emotional distress. Additional, punitive damages may be awarded to punish particularly extreme or reckless conduct.

Often, people injured in traffic accidents can get compensation without going to court. A negotiated settlement with U-Haul, an at-fault driver or insurers can help people get the compensation they deserve and start moving on with their lives without a long court battle. It is important to understand, however, that insurers often push low-ball settlements in the immediate aftermath of crashes so they can resolve claims for pennies on the dollar. You should not discuss a settlement without seeking the advice of an experienced injury attorney.

In other situations, filing a lawsuit and going to trial may be necessary to get what you deserve. This is particularly true when dealing with U-Haul, which often seeks to hide behind networks of their-party contractors to shield themselves from responsibility for accidents.

To successfully obtain compensation, you have to be able to identify those who are to blame for the accident and prove their legal liability. Accident claims generally are based on negligence, a legal theory that holds people and entities responsible when they do not live up to a certain “duty of care.”

Georgia law imposes a duty of care on drivers to operate their vehicles in a way that is reasonably safe under the circumstances, for instance. Motorists must comply with speed limits, obey traffic signs and follow all applicable laws. They also must refrain from dangerous behavior, like getting behind the wheel while impaired by drugs or alcohol. A driver who does not meet this standard is likely to be deemed negligent and held liable for any accidents that happen as a result.

U-Haul, meanwhile, has a duty to properly inspect, maintain and repair its rental fleet. The company can be held responsible for mechanical problems in its vehicles that cause or contribute to accidents. To prove liability in these cases, you must be able to establish that U-Haul knew about the problem or should have known about it. You also have to show that the company failed to properly address the issue.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Helps People Get Back on Their Feet

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Macon U-Haul accident lawyers are dedicated to helping people and families who have been injured through no fault of their own. We fight diligently to protect and defend our clients rights, from the first consultation through final resolution.

Our goal is to help you move on with your life after an accident by getting the full compensation available under the law. Call our team at 478-845-6464 for a free, no-risk consultation.