Commercial Vehicles Everyone Can Drive
Moving can be an exhausting adventure. Packing up your entire life into boxes, loading them on a truck, and then repeating the process in reverse once you get to your new home. Moving companies like U-Haul, Penske, and Budget offer services to try and make the moving process easier. Renting one of their moving trucks can be a convenience if you want to transport everyone in one vehicle and make just one trip. However, have you ever noticed that anyone can rent a large moving truck with little to no training on how to drive it? Truck accidents involving U-Haul moving trucks do happen.
No Commercial License Required
Did you know that some rental companies lobby to keep commercial licenses out of their requirements for rentals!? Why? Because they can rent to more drivers that don’t have a CDL. Large truck rental companies rent commercial sized trucks that don’t require training on how to drive them. Customers only need to be of age and have a valid driver’s license. This is convenient for anyone who needs to rent a large truck but is it safe?
Video below shows a U-Haul driver crashing into a Burger King drive thru. Driver failed to notice that the truck was too tall.
Safety First as a Consumer
Moving companies came under pressure when two reports of truck accidents were caused by mechanical failure. In 2008, U-Haul Safety Alert was launched to create awareness. Victim stories of U-Haul trucks being sent out with no brake fluid, or faulty tow dollies that caused serious truck accidents. In 2007, the Los Angeles Times investigated 200 vehicles from U-Haul’s fleet. The investigation uncovered that more than half of the vehicles were pass due for regular service by over a year. Driving commercial trucks and any other vehicle with over year of neglected maintenance is a dangerous risk that can result in a fatal traffic accident.
We recommend when driving a commercial vehicle, large moving van or truck to ask the company representative to walk you through the vehicle. Becoming familiar with the vehicle is the first step in coping with the difference in size when driving. Revise all the fluids in the vehicle and make sure they are topped off. Inspect the tires for any cracks, signs of age, or damage to the wheel itself. Don’t be afraid to request a different vehicle if it does not look safe or it looks too old. It is common for certain moving trucks to have over 200,000 miles.
Hit By A CompanY Vehicle or Unsafe Truck, Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
It is important to take precautions while traveling. As always we urge you to practice defensive driving. Contact Davis Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers immediately if you find yourself victim of a u-haul truck wreck. If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident Jeff is here 4 you! Davis Law Firm is here 24/7 to listen to your case. Our team of legal representatives offer free consultations at no risk to you. Jeff Davis is the South Texas Personal Injury Lawyer that is here to fight for what you deserve. Contact us today!