Minor Injuries Reported in Antelope U-Haul Intersection Accident
An accident involving a U-Haul truck pulling a trailer and Toyota Prius was reported in Antelope on September 26 that resulted in minor injuries. The collision happened shortly before 1:00 in the afternoon. It happened along westbound Antelope Road at the intersection with Commonwealth Drive, according to the incident report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Intersection Accident Being Investigated to Determine Fault
The eastbound lanes of Antelope Road were closed down by authorities as a result, while both vehicles were towed from the scene. The CHP is investigating the collision to discover how it occurred and to place fault.
Accidents Involving Rental Vehicles
It’s fairly common to see someone in a rental truck, such as a U-Haul, on the road. After all, moving and transporting goods can be expensive, and renting a U-Haul can be convenient and cost-saving. However, one of the problems is that the driver may be unfamiliar with handling a large truck and end up causing an accident. Liability in a U-Haul accident can be the following:
- The driver of the rented U-Haul may be held responsible if a negligent act was performed, such as speeding, distracted driving, or others. Many people who rent a U-Haul obtain their Safemove or Safemove Plus insurance coverage.
- The company that rented the U-Haul may be liable if the condition of the vehicle was such that the brakes failed, a tire blew out, or other problems that should not have occurred had the U-Haul been regularly maintained.
- Again, the company may be responsible if the driver was intoxicated, had no license, was unfit or the U-Haul rental agency did not properly maintain the truck.
Causes of U-Haul Accidents
Some reasons that U-Haul truck accidents happen are:
- Truck defects: The rental company is responsible for checking for brake, tire, and other defects before the vehicle is rented.
- Drunk driving: Intoxicated drivers in a U-Haul truck are a menace on the highway.
- Fatigued driving: Moving is a strain for most people, leading to sleepless nights. Driving without adequate sleep can cause a fatigued driving accident.
- Speeding: Another form of negligence that causes U-Haul truck accidents is speeding. In addition to making it harder to stop in time to avoid an accident or controlling one’s vehicle, speeding may affect the truck’s cargo if it is not adequately secured.
- Failing to yield: Some U-Haul drivers believe that others are obligated to wait for them since their vehicle is bigger and harder to maneuver. They are wrong. Everyone needs to obey the rules of the road.
- Not following road directions: Sometimes, unfamiliarity with the road makes drivers less compliant with directions. The fact that they are new to the area does not excuse their behavior, which is a form of negligence.
- Distracted driving: Using the GPS or texting/talking on a cell phone takes the driver’s focus off the road. This is a recipe for disaster on a busy highway.
- Untrained drivers: Just about anyone with a license can rent a U-Haul truck. This means many U-Haul drivers are ill-equipped to do so and misjudge the size and space they need to drive safely. Many are unfamiliar with proper loading techniques, the result of which can lead to fishtailing. Since a CDL license is not required, U-Haul trucks are dangerous.
- Inclement weather: Bad weather conditions can augment the danger of driving a U-Haul. Make sure you check the weather along your route.
Antelope Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Antelope car accident lawyer. When you have been injured through the negligence of another and want to find out if you can file a claim for compensation, contact us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can reach us online also. We have free and friendly advice to offer, will review your case, tell you what options are available to collect damages, and answer your questions.
At AutoAccident.com, we’ve helped Antelope residents get the compensation they deserve in wrongful deaths, all types of traffic accidents, truck collisions, and more since 1982.
Information about our law firm and how we’ve helped others can be found at the following:
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Photo attribution: iStock-451333971 credit RobertCrum
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