January 5, 2016- Richmond, VA
The driver of a U-Haul sustained non-life threatening injuries after her vehicle overturned near mile marker 79.5 on I-95 South.
According to ABC 8 News, the U-Haul – which was towing a trailer at the time of the single-vehicle accident – struck a barrier wall and overturned. The female driver was treated at VCU Medical Center for minor injuries and may face reckless driving charges.
U-Haul, like other rental truck companies, will rent trucks and trailers to just about any licensed driver – regardless of inexperience. Drivers unfamiliar with the particularities of large trucks and/or towing are typically unequipped to respond to changing or dangerous road conditions, including:
- Shifting cargo
- Swaying trailers
- Brake timing
- Defective or malfunctioning equipment
In particular, U-Haul has come under fire for the following dangerous practices related to truck and trailer rental:
- Failure to inspect vehicles regularly
- Defective moving trailers
- Brake-related malfunctions
- Lack of education provided to renters regarding safe trailer weight and proper loading practices
- Little to no screening in driver skill/capability
Furthermore, U-Haul is the only American trailer rental company that allows renters to attach a trailer to the renter’s own SUV. As such, it is not uncommon for U-Haul vehicles to contribute to traffic accidents of every kind, including:
- Single-vehicle
- Rear-end
- Blind-spot
- Sideswipes
- Rollover
For those injured in U-Haul accidents who did not specifically purchase U-Haul insurance, it is often difficult to receive proper compensation after an accident. If you or a loved one is involved in a U-Haul accident, call the experienced attorneys at ReidGoodwin as soon as possible to schedule a legal evaluation.