The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C. Blog
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
U-Haul Truck Accidents
Everywhere you go you see them, U-Haul trailers and trucks being driven or towed by people who are taking a low cost approach to moving their personal belongings. It’s safe to assume that most of those people who are driving the trucks and towing the trailers do not have adequate experience operating the type and size of vehicle they are driving or much experience towing a trailer that when loaded sometimes weighs more than the car you see towing it. Most drivers of passenger vehicles have limited or no experience in driving larger vehicles. A 26 foot U-haul moving truck is much larger and weighs much more than a passenger vehicle. That inexperience isn't significantly impactful during normal, low speed driving conditions. At highway speeds or when something goes wrong during the operation of the vehicle, serious truck accidents can occur. Similarly, most drivers have limited or no experience towing a trailer with their passenger vehicle. Towing a 6 x 12 foot tandem axle trailer and not understanding the dynamics of loading and pulling a trailer can spell disaster. Local moves by inexperienced drivers produce the fewest significant accidents. The types of accidents common for local moves in U-Haul vehicles include those related to the clearance of the vehicle (height, width & length). Rental trucks striking objects when maneuvering including low overhangs at gas stations and drive up windows are common accidents. A towing accident with a significant rate of incidence is related to pulling a trailer not equipped with brakes down a hill. Inexperienced operators can fail to proactively slow the vehicle and trailer causing the trailer to "push" the towing auto. This can quickly result in trailer sway that can be difficult to recover from. Sorting out all of the details of who is responsible for paying for damages and injury after an accident with a rental truck or trailer can be difficult. If this has happened to you and you live anywhere in Alabama, please contact The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C.
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Megan P
at
1:16 PM
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