“Have you been injured in an automobile accident with a rental truck or moving truck? Call 1-800-ATTORNEY today for a free consultation regarding your legal options.
Rental trucks (such as U-Haul, Budget, Ryder, Penske and Enterprise) are a dime a dozen on our roads. A lot of times, these trucks are rented by individuals for moving or hauling purposes and then returned once they are done. Due to the transient nature of these rental agreements, it’s not uncommon for rental truck companies to rent large trucks to unqualified individuals with questionable driving records and pasts.
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a moving truck or rental truck, you need to understand that your claim will be much more complex than a normal passenger-car-only accident claim. Not only will there be issues concerning insurance coverage, you may also have a valid claim with the rental company for negligent entrustment of a vehicle.
Insurance companies are not motivated to do the right thing; they’re for-profit companies whose sole goal is to pay out as little as possible on all claims. While property-damage-only claims tend to be simple-enough for most people to handle on their own, injury claims are heavily contested due to their potential value. Before you attempt to handle your own claim, please call 1-800-ATTORNEY and discuss the facts of your case with a lawyer.
Issues Concerning Liability
Do not make the mistake of believing that the truck driver is the only one responsible for the accident, as many times there are multiple parties who share liability. For example, if it’s discovered that the rental company didn’t properly maintain their vehicle, it can be argued that they did not act in a reasonable manner to make sure their vehicles are safe to be used on the road.
If the driver who caused the truck accident was drunk, you may have a dram shop claim against the bar or establishment which over-served the driver alcohol. In some cases, the cab of the truck and the trailer are even insured by two different companies, making bringing a successful claim much more-complex.
The Risks of Handling Your Claim Without an Attorney
Insurance companies have historically been sneaky when it comes to injury claims. They may approach you and attempt to provide you with a one-time lump sum payment very early on in the process, but this is only an attempt to have you sign away your right to sue before you know the full extent of your injuries and related damages.
Others may even start to investigate you and your family in the hopes of finding evidence they can use to discredit your claims. They may also call you and record the conversation and ask you leading questions to get you to contradict yourself or admit that you’re “doing good today.” This is why it is never a good idea to speak to the insurance company representative before consulting with an attorney who’s looking out for your best interests.
If you would like to learn the options available to you moving forward (free of charge), call 1-800-ATTORNEY for a free consultation today. We’ll answer your questions and help ensure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company. If we feel as though we can help with your case, we’ll do so on a no-win, no-fee basis so that you never have to risk a penny of your own money to pursue your claim.