If you or a loved one has suffered injury as the result of a rental truck, you may be eligible to claim significant financial compensation. Rental truck accidents can be incredibly serious under certain circumstances, and if they are caused by the fault of a rental truck company, you can file a lawsuit against said rental truck company. At Normandie Law Firm, one of the top-rated legal groups in Los Angeles, our team of skilled rental truck accident attorneys can assist you in making your case, and pursue legal action against the party responsible. Our experienced lawyers serve the following major cities in the United States:
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Houston
- Phoenix
- Philadelphia
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- Dallas
- San Jose
- Austin
- Jacksonville
- San Francisco
- Columbus
- Indianapolis
- Fort Worth
- Charlotte
- Seattle
- Denver
- El Paso
- Washington
- Boston
- Detroit
- Nashville
- Memphis
- Portland
- Oklahoma City
- Las Vegas
- Louisville
- Baltimore
- Milwaukee
- Albuquerque
- Tucson
- Fresno
- Sacramento
- Mesa
- Kansas City
- Atlanta
- Long Beach
- Colorado Springs
Contact our Los Angeles law offices today, and we can discuss the incident, your damages, the aftermath, and the best path moving forward to claim the compensation that you deserve. An expert lawyer experienced in rental truck accident cases will be able to discuss your case with you.
Rental Truck Accidents
Rental truck accidents can be both minor and incredibly severe. In more serious cases, a rental truck accident can lead to extensive medical care, prolonged disabilities, and even death. For this reason, it is within your legal rights to pursue a lawsuit against the company or driver responsible for the damages you have endured. We advise hiring a qualified attorney with expertise in rental truck accident injury lawsuits. Listed below are some of the major rental truck companies in the United States that could be held liable:
- U-Haul
- United Rentals
- Hertz
- Enterprise Rent-A-Truck
- Budget Truck Rental
- Penske
- Ryder Rental Truck Company
- Northgate
- Avis
- National
- Dollar
- Sixt
These are just some of the rental truck companies that could be found liable for the damages of a rental truck accident. Collisions of rental trucks can be quite similar to the collisions that involve other large commercial trucks. In most cases, rental truck companies are not assured that the driver or renter is capable of driving the truck they are renting. This works both ways, as the driver trusts that the rental company will provide a commercial truck that is safe for them to drive. This two-way assurance can be quite dangerous for the driver and others on the road, as neither party realizes the dangers of driving a commercial rental truck. Renting a truck is far different from renting any ordinary vehicle as well. Most truck renters are not used to the limited rear visibility, decreased speed capacity, less maneuverability, and increased breaking time that comes with getting behind the wheel of a commercial truck. Rental truck companies, pass on their commercial trucks to renters without any prior training. The most a renter may be given is a manual that most renters may not even pick up and read. Because of this, accidents from rental trucks and inexperienced rental truck drivers occur quite frequently.
Rental truck accidents can be caused by both the inadequate training of the driver, or a delayed maintenance or faulty rental truck. The injuries from these accidents can be seriously life to threaten depending on the circumstances of the incident. Listed below are some common truck accident injuries:
- Back and Neck Injuries: This injury can vary from minor neck pain to more severe damages like dislocated spinal discs. These injuries often prevent victims from returning to work and performing daily activities.
- Broken & Fractured Bones: The impact of a truck accident can be truly devastating, and the power of these collisions can break bones. Broken bones take time to heal, and depending on where the breakage occurred can prevent a victim from returning to work immediately.
- Head Injuries: head trauma in truck accidents can vary from minor contusions to severe concussions that can cause prolonged seizures, and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Some people can never fully recover from severe brain injuries.
- Internal Injuries: The force of a truck collision can cause internal bleeding to organs like the bladder, liver, kidney, pancreas, and spleen. These injuries are challenging to treat, and in some cases, can be extremely life-threatening.
- Rib and Torso Injuries: The rib cage protects vital organs, and when powerful force is applied to them, the tissues beneath are threatened.
- Seat Belt Injuries: While seatbelts are intended for safety and protection, seat belts can cause painful whiplash injuries.
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: spinal cord injuries can be especially devastating and in some cases can lead to paralysis. Spinal cord damage isn’t always apparent at first, so it is highly recommended that victims seek medical attention as soon as possible.
All of these injuries can lead to exuberant medical bills and a prolonged time away from work resulting in a loss of wages and even a loss of employment. If you or a loved one has suffered these damages, or any similar damages as a result of a rental truck accident you may be able to sue the rental truck company or rental truck driver responsible. Call an accomplished attorney who has experience in rental truck accident claims to start the legal process.
Fault in a Rental Truck Accident
Finding fault is an essential component of any personal injury or car accident claim. While in some cases the fault might be abundantly clear, in rental truck accidents finding fault can be a challenging process. When trying to discern who is at fault in your case, it is in your best interest to consult an experienced attorney that can guide you through the process, and discuss the details of your particular accident. Our Los Angeles rental accident lawyers are always ready to hear your story and file lawsuits against the responsible parties for your injuries.
Here are some ways in which a rental truck driver and rental truck company can be found at fault. Some examples of when a rental truck company can be at fault are as follows:
- Negligent entrustment: In the event that the rental truck company was aware that the renter (driver) lacked the skill and capacity to operate one of their trucks safely and successfully, and the driver’s lack of skill caused the accident, the victims of the incident could file a lawsuit against the truck company for negligent entrustment.
- Willfully ignoring safety inspections: If a rental truck company fails to inspect their fleet of trucks, and a defect in the truck is what caused the accident then the rental truck company could be found liable for damages
- Negligent maintenance: Similar to ignoring inspections, if a truck is in need of repair, but the rental truck company fails to repair the vehicle, and the accident occurs as a result of ill-repair the company could be held liable for damages.
- Renting vehicles that should be retired: If a rental truck company allows for a renter to take a truck that is far past the point of being piloted safely, and an accident occurs due to the truck’s poor state, then the rental truck company can be sued for damages.
- Known mechanical defects: If the rental truck company was aware of mechanical defects in their rental trucks then the company can be held liable for the damages. However, if the defects were also caused by a malfunctioning or defective component of the truck, then the company that manufactured this part could also be held responsible, splitting the liability between the two parties.
In rental truck accidents, the driver can also be found liable for the damages. If the driver was driving the truck while intoxicated, or simply drove recklessly, then the driver could be sued instead. In certain situations wherein the accident was caused by both a negligent driver and a negligent rental company both parties could share liability for the damages. This arises especially within cases of negligent entrustment, where a rental company allowed for an incapable driver to rent one of their trucks.
In almost all rental truck accident lawsuits you must be able to show that the company acted negligently. Proving negligence can often be a complicated process, and may require the assistance of a skilled attorney. However, bulleted below are some of the key pieces of a negligence claim:
- Duty: The plaintiff (renter/driver/victim) must show the defendant (rental truck company) owed a legal duty to the plaintiff under the circumstances of the accident.
- Breach: The plaintiff must show that the defendant breached the legal duty by acting or failing to act in a particular way
- Causation: The plaintiff must show that the defendant’s actions, or lack thereof, caused the plaintiff’s damages
- Damages: The plaintiff must show evidence of the damages endured as a result of the defendant’s actions. This could be shown through the presentation of medical bills or a loss of wages.
Regardless of the circumstances of your case, seeking the assistance, a lawyer with experience handling rental truck accident claims is crucial to file a claim successfully.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help – Free Consultation and Zero Fee Guarantee
Filing a rental truck accident lawsuit can be a complicated and arduous process. From discerning which party is at fault, to navigating the nuisances of fighting for your case, having a well-practiced rental truck accident attorney on your side can mean the difference between earning compensation and having your case thrown out in court. At Normandie Law Firm our team is committed to ensuring you have the best resources available to fight your case. Under our zero fee guarantee policy all of our clients only pay for our services once their case is won. Every one of our clients is also offered a free consultation as well as free second case reviews. Reach out to our top law offices today, and we can get you one step closer to resolving your case. One of our attorneys with experience in rental truck accident cases will be able to assist you.
