Trusted Rental Truck Accident Attorney Serving Clients Throughout New Jersey
Firm in Morris and Sussex counties handles claims involving U-Hauls and other vehicles
Rental trucks are widely used across New Jersey, but the people who rent them often have little or no experience driving a vehicle of that size. When a collision occurs, questions about insurance and liability can quickly become complicated. With offices in Morris and Sussex counties, Kevin T. Kutyla, Esq. draws on 25 years of experience to help injured clients pursue appropriate compensation after being hurt in a crash involving a U-Haul, Home Depot vehicle or another type of rental truck.
Why do rental truck accidents happen?
A rental truck is longer, wider and heavier than the passenger vehicle most renters usually drive. It needs more room to stop, has bigger blind spots and can be tough to maneuver through intersections, parking lots and narrow residential roads. An inexperienced driver may end up in an accident for one or more of the following reasons:
- Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions
- Distracted or fatigued driving
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Unsafe lane changes or turns
- Failure to account for blind spots
- Worn tires or defective brakes
- Allowing an unauthorized person to drive
Some accidents have several contributing causes. A thorough investigation by a knowledgeable auto accident attorney can help determine how the crash occurred and how liability should be allocated.
Whose insurance policy covers a rental truck accident claim in New Jersey?
There is no single answer that applies to every rental truck collision.
An injured New Jersey driver or passenger may first turn to any applicable personal injury protection coverage they have for medical expenses, regardless of fault. A separate bodily injury claim may be filed against the negligent rental truck driver and any liability coverage that applies to that driver. Potential payment sources include the driver’s personal auto policy, supplemental liability insurance purchased through the rental company or coverage provided under the rental agreement.
If the responsible driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, the injured party’s uninsured or underinsured motorist policy may become important. I will review the rental agreement and every potentially applicable policy before initiating claims for damages.
When are rental companies liable for accidents involving their trucks?
The law generally precludes holding a rental company liable simply because it owns the truck involved in an accident. However, a company can be responsible for the consequences of its own negligence. For example, the rental company could be legally responsible if it leased out a truck with defective brakes, unsafe tires, broken lights or another known mechanical problem. A claim may also be possible if the company failed to perform reasonable inspections, or rented to an impaired driver. Inspection reports, maintenance records, rental documents and employee communications can all help establish whether the company contributed to the wreck.
Are third parties ever responsible for rental truck accidents in the Succasunna area?
Sometimes a person or business other than the rental company or the truck’s driver may be partially or wholly at fault for a wreck. For example, a loading company may be liable if unsecured or unevenly distributed cargo caused the driver to lose control. A maintenance contractor could be responsible for careless repairs. Another motorist, too, could be liable for an accident if they made a careless move on the road and triggered the collision.
Why do you need a lawyer to handle your rental truck accident claim?
Understanding how liability is determined requires more than reviewing the police report. Rental truck cases may involve several insurance policies, disputed coverage and multiple responsible parties. Insurers may attempt to shift blame or argue that another company should pay. You can rely on me to collect the relevant evidence, evaluate insurance coverage, identify the proper defendants and document the full extent of your losses. My firm also handles insurer communications and settlement negotiations while you focus on your medical treatment and recovery. That helps protect your interests and keeps the insurers from trying to twist your words to their benefit or pressure you into a lowball settlement.
Contact a New Jersey lawyer about your rental truck collision case
If you were injured in a rental truck collision, Kevin T. Kutyla, Esq. will press liable parties for the compensation you deserve. Please call 973-940-8970 or contact me online to schedule a consultation in my Succasunna, Newton or Vernon office.