Someone is moving into the neighborhood, and without you being able to react fast enough, the large U-Haul they were driving hits right into your vehicle as you are passing by. An accident like this, with a large truck that could be filled with items, can cause significant injury and loss. Knowing what to do if a U-Haul truck hits you is critical in protecting your right to compensation after such an accident and a Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer from White Law PLLC can assist in your claim.
How to Handle a U-Haul Truck Accident
The first step after such an accident is to get out of the vehicle or move it out of the middle of the road to avoid further injury. Then, seek out help by calling 911 to get police and medical care on the scene of the incident for you and anyone else who may need it. Once you do that, make sure you get to the hospital for a full exam and, if possible, write down the names and contact information of anyone involved.
Then what should you do, though, when you have medical bills and losses related to this accident? While most people know what to do in the immediate time after such an accident, knowing how to get compensation for their losses is more challenging. We recommend calling our truck accident attorney for immediate help to preserve your right to compensation and protect your financial future.
Make sure that you do a few other things, too, like staying off social media and not talking about what occurred in your case to others. Follow up and get all of the medical care you are recommended, and be sure to document all of the losses you have. Doing this will help to preserve your ability to receive compensation for the losses you have incurred.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Who Will Pay for Your Damages After a U-Haul Accident?
When a person rents a U-Haul, they have the option of purchasing U-Haul insurance coverage, a type of protection that can offer liability protection for you if you are hit by a covered driver. There are several types of liability coverage available with various degrees of coverage applicable. If the other driver shares this information with you, provide it to your truck accident attorney.
This type of insurance is not always purchased, though, by the driver renting the vehicle, and that is where you could run into some trouble getting the compensation owed to you. However, typically, U-Haul will verify the insurance coverage a person has, and it must meet at least the state’s minimum required coverage. That means you can file a claim against their personal liability insurance for the loss.
No matter what happens here, we encourage you to hire a truck accident attorney to manage the details of this case. Our legal team can help to determine who is responsible and the best route for obtaining full compensation for your losses. We also help to make sure you are not taken advantage of by an insurance company that does not want to pay for your losses.
What If the Other Driver does Not Have Insurance?
There are some situations where the other driver of the U-Haul may not have insurance at all, and while that is a violation of the law, it can make it hard for you to obtain compensation for your losses. However, if you have uninsured or underinsured liability coverage yourself, that policy can help you. You may also be able to seek out compensation for your losses by filing a lawsuit against the responsible party.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover After a U-Haul Accident?
The type of damages paid out will depend on the specific losses you have, which will be documented by the police report as well as other evidence available. Our attorneys will help you determine these losses based on medical bills, pain and suffering claims, and other losses to your vehicle and quality of life. Some examples of the types of damages you may be able to recover include:
- Medical bills: This includes all of the medical expenses you had resulting from the accident itself, including hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, medications, and medical equipment you have to purchase.
- Property damage recovery: This includes any type of damage to your car or other belongings impacted by the accident with the U-Haul.
- Pain and suffering: An accident like this can create long-term losses for you, and that may mean that you are owed compensation for your pain and suffering.
- Lost time at work: You may have missed work due to your health or struggled with concerns related to going to court and are owed compensation for this.
- Changes to your home: Did you need to make alterations to your home to accommodate a wheelchair or medical care for ongoing needs?
These are some of the most common, but not necessarily all, of the losses you may have had. Many people also are able to file claims for loss of quality of life, loss of consortium, and emotional trauma, especially if they are plagued with mental health issues as a result of an accident. Our legal team will work hard to prove what you are eligible to receive in a case like this.
Punitive Damages Could Apply as Well
Note that the judge may award punitive damages to the victim if they believe they are owed. This is often the case when there is substantial loss due to intentional accidents, aggressive driving, or even intoxicated driving. Our attorneys will help you determine if this may apply to your situation.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Schedule a Consultation with Our Truck Accident Attorneys Now
Knowing what to do after an accident with a U-Haul is critical to protecting your financial recovery after a devastating accident. Let our car accident attorney offer guidance and support to you. Set up a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case with our attorneys at White Law PLLC to learn more about those legal rights.
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