Personal Injury Law Blog
Navigating the Aftermath: What to Do When You’ve Had a Collision With a U-Haul Truck
U-Haul trucks are everywhere. The ubiquitous orange and white trucks, often painted with scenes depicting unique natural features, are everywhere on U.S. roads. U-Haul’s brand name has become synonymous with drive-it-yourself rental vehicles for moving or hauling large loads.
U-Haul’s website notes that the company has the largest do-it-yourself rental truck fleet in the world. It’s the only such company that offers services in all 50 U.S. states and all 10 Canadian provinces.
As a result, U-Haul trucks are everywhere on the road – and they, like any vehicle, can be involved in a crash.
U-Haul Crashes: Illustrations and Statistics
In November 2023, a U-Haul truck collided with a car on Chicago’s South Side, causing injuries to all five occupants of the car. All five were taken to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries, some of which were serious. Police arrested the driver of the U-Haul.
In a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) examining rental truck crashes, researchers found that the truck or its driver caused the collision in 55 percent of cases. Between 2005 and 2010, 177 people died and 163 were injured in rental truck crashes. Occupants of the rental truck were slightly more likely (55 percent) to suffer death in the crash. FMCSA estimates that these crashes caused over $251 million in financial losses as well.
As part of the study, U-Haul reported its maintenance procedures to FMCSA. U-Haul uses a four-category inspection system. Vehicles are visually inspected when a renter returns them. They also undergo inspections from repair shops or field team managers according to U-Haul’s criteria. Finally, U-Haul performs preventative maintenance inspections on vehicles based on the vehicle’s mileage.
Despite U-Haul’s maintenance procedures, however, serious problems can occur. When U-Haul rents trailers that are heavier than the towing vehicle, for instance, the risk of an accident increases. Drivers who rent U-Haul vehicles may have little or no experience handling a larger vehicle or loading one, which can also increase the risks of a crash.
What to Do After a U-Haul Collision
Any vehicle crash causes shock and confusion, and a U-Haul crash is no different. After a collision:
- Get medical help. Call 911 for medical assistance at the scene of the accident. Even if you don’t think you were injured, see a doctor immediately. Some crash injuries, like whiplash, take hours or days to appear.
- Report the crash to local law enforcement. Police will investigate the scene and create a crash report containing the information they collect. This information can be extremely valuable in your later case for compensation. When speaking to police, provide accurate, honest information, but stick to the facts. If you didn’t see something or don’t have information, say so.
- Collect information at the scene. If you can, take photos, make notes, or draw diagrams at the scene to preserve what you see. Collect information from any witnesses so you can reach them again if needed. Also, exchange contact information with the driver of the U-Haul.
- Inform U-Haul of the crash. U-Haul has a dedicated hotline for accidents, which you can reach by calling 1-800-468-4285. You can also use the company’s live chat feature on its website to speak to a representative if you wish. U-Haul will collect information bout the accident and tell you what they need next.
- Talk to an accident attorney. Speak to an experienced U-Haul crash lawyer as soon as you can after an accident. Your attorney can provide legal advice about your specific situation. When you hire a lawyer, your lawyer works to protect your best interests and secure compensation that fully and fairly repays you for all the losses you suffered in the crash – including losses you may continue to suffer in the future.
When U-Haul Crashes Get Complicated
In a U-Haul collision, the crash itself may involve only your vehicle and the U-Haul truck. Your compensation case, however, may involve not only you and the other driver, but U-Haul as a company, several insurance companies, the manufacturer of the U-Haul truck, or other parties.
These cases can get complex in a hurry. Handling one while you’re also trying to recover from serious injuries is a burden you don’t need to carry alone.
Once you’ve received medical attention, talk to an experienced Chicago U-Haul crash attorney. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights, protect your interests, and fight for the compensation you need.
