Hit by a U-Haul in Oregon

Posted on August 5, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Any time you get out on the roadway, it is very likely that you will see a moving vehicle of some type. U-Haul, Budget Rentals, Penske, and other moving vehicle companies are incredibly convenient and a relatively inexpensive way to move belongings across town or across the country. Unfortunately, those who operate rental moving trucks typically have very little experience driving these large vehicles. This can lead to accidents that cause severe injuries for those involved. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a U-Haul or other rental truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation.

What are the requirements to operate a U-Haul?

Most people are surprised to find out that it takes no special certification for someone to rent a U-Haul or other rental vehicle. The same driver’s license that allows a person to operate their regular sedan will also allow them to get behind the wheel of a U-Haul with a maximum weight of nearly 26,000 pounds. Adults as young as 18 years of age are allowed to rent and drive this size of moving truck.

Unlike those who obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL), the operator of a U-Haul or other similar rental vehicle may have never driven a vehicle of this size before. Due to the size of these trucks, collisions with traditional passenger cars can result in severe injuries, including the following:

  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
  • Spinal cord injuries with possible paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding

Who is liable in a U-Haul crash in Oregon?

Liability for a U-Haul crash in Oregon will be determined in the same way as any other vehicle accident. However, there will be multiple layers of insurance involved in these crashes. When a U-Haul or other rental vehicle is involved in the crash, any of the following parties may be liable:

  • The U-Haul driver’s personal auto insurance carrier
  • The insurance carrier of the rental truck company
  • The insurance carrier of the person who rented the truck, even if they were not the one driving when the crash occurred

These cases can become complicated. Insurance carriers are notoriously difficult to deal with, particularly when rental moving trucks are involved. Those who rent these vehicles may or may not have chosen to purchase supplemental insurance from the rental truck carrier, often leaving the driver’s personal insurance carrier on the line for all of the expenses in an accident they cause.

If a U-Haul crash occurs due to a defective rental vehicle, then anyone injured in the incident may be able to hold the rental company responsible for the crash because they provided a defective truck. This opens up another layer of difficulty in determining liability, and it is strongly advised that you seek assistance from a skilled truck accident attorney in Portland to help with your case.

What kind of compensation is available after a U-Haul crash in Oregon?

Anybody injured in a U-Haul crash in Oregon may be entitled to significant compensation, including the following:

  • Full coverage of medical bills related to the crash
  • Lost income if a victim is unable to work
  • General household out-of-pocket expenses
  • Property damage expenses
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • and more

The total amount of compensation available in these cases will vary depending on the factors related to each particular situation. Even if an injury victim shared some fault for the incident, they may still be able to recover compensation under Oregon’s modified comparative negligence laws, though the amount of compensation they receive will be reduced based on their percentage of fault for the incident.