Savannah U-Haul Accident Lawyer

In recent years, Americans from all over the country have been flocking to the Sun Belt region. If you have been on the interstate recently, you have probably seen countless U-Hauls and other rental trucks heading southbound to Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Unfortunately, many of these drivers have never operated a car carrying a heavy load or a tractor-trailer before. This can cause devastating and even deadly results when these massive vehicles hit other vehicles or pedestrians at speeds of 70 miles per hour or more. 

Most cars do not have the size or weight to compete and can be crushed instantly. Likewise, pedestrians may be ran over or thrown tens of feet, rarely being able to walk away without painful, life-altering injuries.

At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we are dedicated to protecting Savannah residents and enforcing their legal rights. We have many years of experience litigating rental truck accident cases in Savannah in both state and federal courts. If you have been injured and would like a free consultation or just want to get your questions answered, call us today at 912-341-6644. 

Understanding U-Haul Truck Accidents

U-Haul trucks are a common sight around Savannah. Families load box trucks, cargo vans, and trailers almost every weekend as people relocate for new jobs, college, or military assignments. Most renters have never driven anything that large before. Many do not realize how much longer it takes to stop a fully loaded 26-foot truck or how easily a trailer can begin to sway at highway speeds. When something goes wrong, the size and weight difference between a passenger vehicle simply cannot compete.

Rental truck accidents are different from typical car wrecks in several important ways. U-Haul and other rental companies are required to maintain their fleets to strict safety standards, yet maintenance is sometimes neglected. Drivers are often inexperienced with large vehicles and may not receive proper instruction. Insurance coverage can become confusing because responsibility may fall on the renter, the rental company, or even a separate insurance policy. Our attorneys know how to sort through these layers and find every source of recovery available to you.

Common Causes of U-Haul Accidents

There are endless ways a U-Haul accident can be caused. the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Savannah U-Haul accident lawyer has many years of experience, which means that we are familiar with the most common injuries that result from these crashes. In our decades of litigating these cases, these are some of the most common injuries that we see:

• Fatigue from long days of driving combined with the stress of moving
• Distracted driving while trying to read moving directions or handle children and pets in the cab
• Brake failure, tire blowouts, or steering problems caused by poor fleet maintenance

Every accident is unique, but our Savannah U-Haul accident lawyers investigate each case thoroughly. We obtain the rental agreement, maintenance records, weight tickets, and any available dashcam or traffic camera footage to determine exactly what happened and who should be held responsible.

U-Haul Company Responsibilities and Liability

Rental truck companies have clear legal duties to the public. They cannot simply hand over the keys and walk away. Georgia and federal law require them to:

• Keep every truck and trailer in safe operating condition with regular inspections and repairs
• Carry adequate insurance coverage to protect innocent victims
• Train employees to recognize when a customer appears unprepared to safely operate the equipment
• Warn renters about common dangers such as trailer sway and longer stopping distances and blind spots

When U-Haul or any rental company fails in these responsibilities, they can be held liable for the injuries their negligence causes. In many cases, the company that rented the truck bears more responsibility than the individual driver, especially when maintenance issues or lack of warnings contributed to the crash. Our legal team examines every possibility so no source of compensation is overlooked.

Common Injuries From U-Haul Truck Crashes

Because rental trucks are so much larger and heavier than normal vehicles, the injuries victims suffer are often severe. While this means you may be entitled to more compensation, it also requires a thorough investigation to uncover evidence that proves the rental truck accident was the cause of your injuries. Some of the most common injuries our Savannah U-Haul accident lawyer staff has seen include:

• Traumatic brain injuries that affect thinking, memory, and personality
• Spinal cord damage resulting in partial or complete paralysis
• Multiple broken bones requiring plates, pins, and lengthy rehabilitation
• Crush injuries when a car is pinned beneath the taller truck
• Severe whiplash and neck injuries from violent impacts
• Internal bleeding and organ damage that may not be immediately obvious
• Burns from post-crash fires involving gasoline or moving blankets or chemicals
• Amputations in the most devastating collisions
• Long-term psychological trauma including anxiety, depression, and PTSD

These injuries can require years of medical treatment, surgeries, therapy, and home modifications. Some victims are never able to return to their previous jobs. We work with trusted medical and economic experts to calculate both current and future costs so your settlement or verdict reflects the true impact on your life.

Evidence That Matters in U-Haul Accident Cases

Winning a rental truck case depends on gathering the right evidence quickly. Rental companies often try to repair or re-rent the truck within days, destroying valuable proof of mechanical problems. Key evidence includes:

• The rental contract and any waivers signed at the counter
• Maintenance and repair history for that specific truck or trailer
• Weight tickets showing whether the vehicle was overloaded
• Photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries
• Witness statements from people who saw the crash or the loading process
• Traffic camera or business surveillance video
• Cell phone records to check for distracted driving
• Black box or GPS data, if the truck was equipped
• Medical records and bills documenting treatment and prognosis

Our Savannah U-Haul accident lawyer team moves fast to send preservation letters and obtain this information before it disappears. Acting quickly is one of the biggest advantages we give our clients.

Insurance Complications in Rental Truck Crashes

Insurance coverage for U-Haul accidents can be extremely confusing. Many people assume their personal auto policy will protect them, only to discover major gaps when a claim is filed. U-Haul offers optional coverage at the rental counter, but customers are frequently pressured or misled about what it actually covers. In some cases, credit card benefits are supposed to apply, yet the credit card company later denies the claim.

Our Savannah U-Haul accident lawyer team has handled hundreds of these coverage disputes. We know how to identify every applicable policy and make sure each insurer pays its fair share. Victims should never accept a quick, low offer from any insurance adjuster before speaking with an experienced attorney.

Types of Compensation Available

Victims of U-Haul truck accidents may be entitled to recover money for:

• Current and future medical expenses including surgery, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and medication
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity if injuries prevent returning to work
• Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the crash
• Property damage to your vehicle and any personal belongings destroyed
• Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries limit hobbies, family activities, or daily pleasures
• Wrongful death benefits for families who lose a loved one, including funeral expenses and loss of companionship
• Punitive damages in rare cases of extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct

At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Savannah U-Haul accident lawyer team has decades of experience helping those injured in rental truck accidents get the full compensation they are legally entitled to.

Why Choose Merritt & Merritt Law Firm for Your Savannah U-Haul Accident Case

Families throughout coastal Georgia trust us because we combine aggressive representation with genuine compassion. When you choose Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, you receive:

• Decades of combined experience handling complex truck and commercial vehicle cases
• Detailed knowledge of both Georgia law and federal regulations that apply to rental trucks
• A team approach where multiple attorneys and staff members work together on your case
• Direct access to your lawyer, not just paralegals or case managers
• No attorney fees unless we win money for you
• A proven track record of multimillion dollar settlements and verdicts against large companies
• Resources to hire the best accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and economists
• A reputation for taking cases all the way to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation

Trust the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm To Help Get the Recovery You Need Following a U-Haul Accident

After an accident with a U-Haul truck, victims are left struggling to handle emotional distress and physical pain. You deserve full compensation for your lost income and the catastrophic impact that the accident has had on you and your loved ones’ lives. At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we understand that victims deserve rest and recovery without having to deal with the insurance companies and opposing lawyers. That is why we offer our services, so that you can focus on resting while we focus on protecting your legal rights.

Call us today at 912-341-6644 for a completely free consultation so you can take the next step towards getting the compensation you need.