If you suffered injuries in a moving van truck accident and are wondering who will compensate you for your injuries, a Chicago moving van truck accident lawyer can help. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to determine your next steps.
Liability for Your Rental Moving Van Truck Accident
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, from 2005 through 2010, 134 accidents involving moving van trucks resulted in fatalities. Although large moving van truck companies, such as U-Haul, Penske, Enterprise, and Budget may say that anyone can easily drive their moving van trucks, many moving van truck renters suffer injuries in accidents due to inexperience and their inability to drive such large vehicles. Determining liability is crucial in determining what, if any, compensation you may be entitled to.
Driver’s Liability
Legal liability regarding renting moving van trucks is especially complicated when the move involves multiple states. Someone may rent a truck in one state and return it to a different state. Federal laws apply to all moving truck companies operating in the United States.
If you rent a moving van, your automobile policy may not cover you when driving a rented moving van truck. Moving van truck rental companies will often offer their customers the option to purchase collision damage waiver insurance at the time of rental. This protection waives a driver’s liability for any damage done to the moving van truck if they are in an accident.
Your moving van truck accident lawyer can help you determine whether the driver or the rental company is liable for your injuries, losses, and other expenses in the event of an accident.
For a free legal consultation with a Moving Van Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 794-0444
Moving Van Truck Rental Company’s Liability
49 U.S.C. 30106 states that moving van truck leasing companies are not liable for any accident that may occur in their leased moving van trucks. It is important to note that this law only applies to moving van truck companies, and not if a person borrows a truck from a friend. As long as the moving van truck rental company did not engage in any negligence or criminal activity regarding the moving van truck rental, any accidents that occur with the moving van are not the company’s responsibility.
Some examples of a moving van company’s negligence would include:
- The moving van rental company rented a moving van truck to someone visibly intoxicated.
- The moving van company failed to inspect their vehicles appropriately before renting it, and an accident occurred.
Rental moving van truck companies must still carry insurance according to state law, and they have violated the law if they do not maintain that coverage. You may not know if the moving van company was negligent or involved in any criminal activity. Contacting a Chicago moving van truck accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 can help you to conduct an investigation and determine liability for your injuries and damages.
Chicago Moving Van Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Commercial Moving Van Truck Company Liability
In some cases, when people move, they do not rent a moving van, but rather hire a moving van company to move their belongings on their behalf. Commercial moving van truck accidents are similar in nature to any other commercial trucking accidents. Depending on the specifics of the accident, we can file a lawsuit against any combination of the following parties:
Click to contact our Moving Van Truck Accidents Lawyers today
Commercial Moving Van Trucking Company
If a moving van trucking company established negligent policies that contributed to the moving van truck accident, you can file a lawsuit against the company. Some examples where liability rests with the trucking company would include instances where the moving van trucking company has a policy that incentivizes drivers to drive at a higher speed, does not offer adequate training to drivers, or negligently maintained the moving van trucks.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Commercial Driver
If a driver operates a moving van truck negligently, their negligence contributed to the accident and are liable for any injuries or damages. Drivers of moving van trucks may be employees of a company, and both the company and the driver may be liable for a victim’s injuries. Negligent behavior can include speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failing to obey the rules of the road, or driving recklessly.
Insurance Company
If you were in an accident with a moving van truck, and the driver was an employee of a moving company that owned the truck, their insurance may pay for any injuries or damages suffered. If the moving van was a rental, then either the private driver’s insurance or the rental company’s insurance may pay for your losses, instead.
Manufacturer
If any defective part or defect on the moving truck caused an accident, the manufacturer may be liable for a victim’s injuries or damages.
For example, if the moving truck’s brakes are defective and the malfunction causes an accident, the manufacturer may be responsible for the resulting injuries or damages.
Maintenance Team
If parts on the moving van were not defective, but the vehicle’s mechanic or owner failed to maintain or repair them properly, these parties could be liable for your injuries.
These are not the only parties who may be responsible for the accident. Determining liability in a moving van accident is complicated. Contacting a moving van truck accident lawyer can help you determine who is at fault and help you recover compensation for any damages or injuries suffered.
Contact a Chicago Moving Van Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you were in an accident involving a moving van truck, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation to learn more about your rights, and gather more information about how to move forward with your claim.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form