Renting a truck from U-Haul is a popular way to transport your items without paying for the sometimes high cost of professional movers. But what happens if you get in an accident while driving a U-Haul truck? Or if your vehicle is hit by someone driving a U-Haul truck, how can you recover compensation? Our attorneys explain the U-Haul accident policy and what you should do if you were involved in an accident.

What is U-Haul’s Accident Policy?

If you have chosen to rent a truck or commercial vehicle from U-Haul, it is important to check with your auto insurance company to see if your policy covers rental vehicles. Many policies only offer coverage for vehicles of up to a certain weight, which excludes most truck rentals.

When you rent a vehicle from U-Haul, the company offers optional liability coverage (Safemove Plus), which can be purchased at the time you are renting the vehicle. Without the optional coverage, the driver is fully responsible for any damages to the rental vehicle and, according to the company website, may have to pay out of pocket for the cost of damages as well as lost rental revenue for the time it will take to get the vehicle repaired.

When Is U-Haul Responsible for an Accident?

If an accident involving a U-Haul truck was caused by mechanical failures – such as bad brakes or poorly-maintained equipment – then it is likely that U-Haul could be held responsible for damages resulting from the accident on the grounds of negligence. If a customer rents a truck that is said to be safe to drive, but U-Haul failed to properly maintain it or repair it before renting out the vehicle, the driver may have a negligence claim against U-Haul. Always consult with an attorney to discuss your specific case.

What Should I Do If My Vehicle Was in an Accident With a U-Haul Truck?

If your car was hit by a U-Haul truck, you may want to get the other driver’s information and the truck license plate and call the U-Haul customer service line to report the accident. You may also want to report the accident to the police. If the U-Haul driver purchased liability coverage, you may ask the company about initiating a claim. If the driver did not have coverage, you may want to contact your own insurance company and speak to an attorney to see if you have enough grounds to initiate a civil lawsuit against the other driver.

Accidents involving a U-Haul truck can be complicated, as you may end up dealing with multiple responsible parties. An attorney can assist you with a thorough investigation of what happened and can guide you in the right direction so you can obtain compensation. Contact the attorneys at Church & Page PLLC and request a free consultation to learn more.