If you’re thinking of renting a Uhaul, or are in the process of doing so, you may be wondering what happens if you crash it. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about what happens if you crash a Uhaul. From insurance to liability, we have it all! So read on and learn what to expect if you find yourself in an accident while driving one of these vehicles.
Uhaul Damage Protection
Uhaul damage protection is a great way to protect your belongings while you move. It covers your belongings in the event that they are damaged or destroyed in transit. This protection is not insurance, but it does provide you with some financial coverage in the event that something happens to your belongings. The cost of this protection is based on the value of your belongings and the distance you are moving them. You can purchase this protection when you reserve your Uhaul online or by calling the reservation center.
Uhaul offers different types of damage protection, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Safemove & Safemove plus
Uhaul Safemove and Safemove plus are the damage protection that Uhaul offers while moving. You have the option of choosing between Safemove and Safemove Plus when it comes to rental coverage for Uhaul vehicles. These options help to cover Uhaul’s property so that you will not have to pay for any damage sustained. Safemove is the standard coverage and Safemove Plus is an upgraded version that offers more protection.
When considering Uhaul to rent moving equipment, Keep in mind that you are responsible for any damage that is done to the equipment. With Uhaul safemove and safemove plus you are able to purchase damage protection. This will help alleviate some of the financial burdens, should something happen to the equipment while in your care.
Safemove:
When you purchase safemove from Uhaul you will receive a damage waiver which will cover accidental damage to the rental equipment that is caused by you, the customer. SafeMove does not cover any overhead damage, regardless of whether it is from bridges or low-hanging roofs. In Safemove, you get medical and life insurance that will pay up to $1,000 in medical expenses if your driver or any passengers are injured in an accident. It also includes life coverage of up to $25,000. Safemove also gives cargo protection that will cover the contents of your rental in case of an accident or fire. The amount of coverage you receive depends on the value of your belongings.
Safemove Plus:
Uhaul Safemove Plus is an upgraded version of Safemove that offers additional protection. With Safemove Plus, you are still covered for accidental damage to the rental equipment, but this coverage also extends to overhead damage. This means that if you hit a low bridge or a low-hanging roof, you will not be held responsible for the damage. In addition to this, Safemove Plus also includes Supplemental liability insurance. This will cover you for up to $1,000,000 in damages if you are found at fault for an accident involving your rental. It also includes medical and life insurance, just like Safemove. However, the coverage amounts are increased.
The cost of Safemove Plus is higher than the cost of Safemove, but the additional protection it offers is worth the extra cost.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW):
The Collision Damage Waiver is the only form of insurance available for Uhaul pickup trucks and vans. The waiver protects you from having to pay for damages to the truck or van if it is involved in an accident. The cost of the waiver is based on the value of the truck or van. The waiver does not cover any damage that is done to other property, such as another vehicle or a building. It also does not cover any injuries that are sustained in an accident.
No matter which option you choose, Uhaul damage protection is a great way to protect your belongings while you move. By choosing one of these options, you can rest assured knowing that your belongings are covered in the event of an accident.
What Happens If You Crash a Uhaul?
If you’re involved in an accident while driving a Uhaul, the first thing you should do is stop your vehicle and turn on your hazard lights. Then, you should check for any injuries and call 911 if necessary. Then, call the Uhaul helpline and report them. Once you’ve done all of that, you can exchange information with the other driver and/or witnesses and wait for the police to arrive.
As far as what happens next, it will depend on a few different factors. For instance, if the accident was caused by something that is covered by Uhaul’s insurance, then you will likely not be held liable. However, if the accident was caused by something that is not covered by their insurance, then you may be held liable. Additionally, if the accident resulted in damage to the Uhaul itself, you may be responsible for paying for that damage.
In any case, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and contact an attorney if you’re involved in an accident while driving a Uhaul. They can help you navigate the legalities of what happens next and ensure that you’re protected.
Now let’s discuss different scenarios and what you should do.
What If You’re Hit by Another Driver?
If you’re hit by another driver, the first thing you should do is call the police. Once they arrive, you should exchange information with the other driver and get their insurance information. You should also take pictures of the damage to both vehicles. After that, you should call your insurance company and file a claim.
What If You Hit Another Driver?
If you hit another driver, the first thing you should do is exchange information with them. This includes getting their insurance information and taking pictures of the damage to both vehicles. After that, you should call your insurance company and file a claim. You should also call the police, but they will likely not do much since it was a minor accident.
What If the Accident Was Caused by a Uhaul Malfunction?
If the accident was caused by a Uhaul malfunction, you should call the Uhaul helpline and report it. They will likely send someone out to inspect the vehicle and may even give you a different one to use. You should also take pictures of the damage and get the contact information of any witnesses. After that, you can decide whether or not to call your insurance company.
What If You’re Injured in the Accident?
If you’re injured in the accident, you should call 911 and go to the hospital. You should also get the contact information of any witnesses and take pictures of the damage. After that, you should call your insurance company and file a claim. You may also want to contact an attorney, especially if the accident was caused by a Uhaul malfunction.
As you can see, there are a few different things that you need to do if you’re involved in an accident while driving a Uhaul. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Just follow the steps that we outlined above and you’ll be sure to stay protected. Thanks for reading and we hope this was helpful!
Types of Uhaul Accidents
There are a few different types of accidents that can occur while driving a Uhaul. The most common type is a rear-end collision, which can happen if the Uhaul driver brakes suddenly or doesn’t signal when turning. Side-swipe accidents can also occur, which happen when the Uhaul driver sideswipes another vehicle. These can be caused by anything from changing lanes without signaling to drive too close to another vehicle.
Another type of accident that can occur is a rollover. Rollover accidents are more common in larger vehicles, like Uhauls, and can happen if the driver takes a sharp turn or hits a bump in the road. They can also be caused by weather conditions, like high winds.
The last type of accident is a jackknife. Jackknife accidents happen when the trailer of the Uhaul swings out, causing the vehicle to spin around. They can be caused by anything from braking too hard to changing lanes too quickly.
Causes of Uhaul Accidents
Now that we’ve gone over the different types of accidents, let’s discuss the most common causes. since moving trucks are much larger than the average car, they require a bit more attention when driving. One of the most common causes of accidents is driver error. This can include anything from distracted driving to speeding.
Another common cause of accidents is mechanical problems. This can be anything from a flat tire to brake failure. It’s important to always inspect your Uhaul before driving it and to call the helpline if you experience any problems while on the road.
The last cause of accidents is weather conditions. As we mentioned before, high winds can cause a Uhaul to roll over. And driving in heavy rain or snow can make it difficult to see, which can lead to accidents.
So, what happens if you crash a Uhaul? Well, it depends on the severity of the accident and what caused it. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Just follow the steps that we outlined above and you’ll be sure to stay protected. Thanks for reading and we hope this was helpful!
Who is Liable for a Uhaul Accident
As for liability, when a Uhaul is involved in the crash then the person whose negligence caused the crash is held liable. There are three parties who could be held liable in a Uhaul crash:
Uhaul
The person who is driving a Uhaul
The other driver
If you are driving a Uhaul and hit someone, then you will be held liable for the damages. However, if the other driver was at fault then they will be held liable. If the Uhaul company was at fault, then they will be held liable.
For example, if the Uhaul company did not properly maintain their vehicles and this led to a crash, then they would be held liable. If you were driving the Uhaul and hit someone because you were speeding, then you would be held liable. If the other driver hit the Uhaul while the Uhaul was stopped at a red light, then the other driver would be held liable.
The bottom line is that whoever is at fault for the crash will be held liable. If you are unsure of who is at fault, then it is best to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer. However, here are some general guidelines:
How to Determine if Someone is Liable for the Crash
Even though an accident with a rented truck or trailer is not exactly the same as a typical car accident, the law views the person at fault in the same way. There are four factors to look at when trying to determine who is at fault:
1. Duty of care
All drivers have a duty of care to other drivers on the road. This means that they must drive in a safe and reasonable manner. A rental company like Uhaul has the duty of care to make sure that the person who is renting their truck or trailer is qualified to drive it.
2. Breach of duty
A breach of duty occurs when the person at fault does not meet the duty of care that they owe to other drivers. For example, if a Uhaul driver is speeding and hits another car, then they have breached their duty of care.
3. Causation
Causation is when a breach of duty leads to an accident. For example, if the Uhaul driver had been driving the speed limit, then they would not have hit the other car.
4. Damages
Damages are the injuries or property damage that occurred as a result of the accident. For example, if the Uhaul driver hit another car and caused damage to the car, then the other driver would be able to sue for those damages.
Liability in a Uhaul Accident
The person who is at fault in a Uhaul accident will be held liable for the damages. This means that they will be responsible for paying for the other person’s injuries or property damage. If you are involved in a Uhaul accident, then it is important to determine who is at fault so that you can hold them liable.
When Uhaul Can be Liable?
Uhaul could be liable in the accident if they rent their truck to a non-professional driver. Who is put behind the wheel of a large truck carrying a heavy load. There are several scenarios in which Uhaul could be held liable:
Improper Maintenance of Vehicles
Uhaul is responsible for maintaining their vehicles. If they do not properly maintain their vehicles and this leads to an accident, then they will be held liable. If Uhaul does not regularly inspect, maintain, and repair its vehicles, the company can be held liable if any of its trucks or trailers cause an accident. For example, if a Uhaul truck’s brakes fail and the truck hits another car, then Uhaul will be held liable. Examples of improper maintenance include:
- not regularly inspecting and repairing the brakes
- not regularly inspecting and repairing the tires
- not regularly inspecting and repairing the engine
- not regularly inspecting and repairing the lights
- not regularly inspecting and repairing the steering
- not regularly inspecting and repairing the suspension
Excessive Weight of Loads
If a Uhaul truck or trailer is involved in an accident and it is found that the truck or trailer was overloaded, then Uhaul will be held liable. There are rumors that Uhaul allows renters to haul loads in the trailers far in excess of the towing vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations. When a vehicle or truck tows a trailer with more weight than is appropriate for the towing vehicle, the trailer can sway, jerk, jackknife, or roll over on hills or sharp turns.
Failure to instruct about proper Loading techniques
Uhaul is responsible for making sure that the person who is renting their truck or trailer knows how to properly load it. If they do not properly instruct or warn the renter about how to load the truck or trailer and this leads to an accident, then Uhaul will be held liable. For example, Contents that are not evenly distributed inside the truck or the contents can shift during transport and cause the truck to tip over. Uhaul must provide instructions on how to load the truck or trailer in order to avoid this from happening. Customers sometimes do not receive the user guide from their Uhaul store, or it is insufficient.
Failure to warn about Safe Speeds and other Safety Information
It is the responsibility of Uhaul to provide customers with information about safe speeds for their trucks. If they do not properly warn the renter about safe speeds and this leads to an accident, then Uhaul will be held liable. The posted speed limit for trucks is often lower than the posted speed limit for cars. This is because trucks are much larger and heavier than cars and take longer to stop. Uhaul must provide customers with this information so that they can avoid getting into an accident. For example, If customers don’t receive enough safety information, they could accidentally drive too fast or fail to brake or turn safely, which could cause an accident.
When You or the other vehicle Driver can be Liable?
Now that we have gone over the scenarios in which Uhaul could be held liable, let’s discuss when you or the other vehicle driver can be held liable. There are three distinct scenarios involved in this issue:
You were in a vehicle that was hit by a Uhaul truck or trailer
If you were in a vehicle that was hit by a Uhaul truck or trailer, then you could be held liable if it is found that you were at fault for the accident. For example, if you ran a red light and the Uhaul truck hit you, then you would be held liable. If you were in a vehicle that was hit by a Uhaul truck or trailer and it is found that the Uhaul driver was at fault, then you would not be held liable.
Another car crashed into the Uhaul truck that you were driving
If another car crashed into the Uhaul truck that you were driving, then you could be held liable if it is found that you were at fault for the accident. For example, if you were driving recklessly and crashed into the Uhaul truck, then you would be held liable. If you were driving normally and the other car crashed into the Uhaul truck, then you would not be held liable.
You were a passenger in a Uhaul truck that was involved in an accident due to negligence of Driver
If you were a passenger in a Uhaul truck that was involved in an accident due to the negligence of the driver, then you could be held liable if it is found that you were at fault for the accident. For example, if you were distracting the driver and this led to the accident, then you would be held liable. And if you were not doing anything wrong and the driver was at fault, then you would not be held liable.
The bottom line is that if you were involved in an accident with a Uhaul truck or trailer, then you could be held liable if it is found that you were at fault for the accident. If the Uhaul driver was at fault, then you would not be held liable. And if you were a passenger in a Uhaul truck that was involved in an accident, then you could be held liable if it is found that you were at fault for the accident. If you were not doing anything wrong and the driver was at fault, then you would not be held liable.
What happens when you wreck a Uhaul?
If you wreck a Uhaul, then you will be responsible for paying for the damages. Uhaul will likely sue you to recover the cost of the damages. If you have insurance, then your insurance company will likely pay for the damages. And if you do not have insurance, then you will be responsible for paying for the damages out of your own pocket.
Firstly, Uhaul does not offer any type of insurance for the damages that may occur to their trucks or trailers. Although they do provide a damage waiver, there is an important condition “You must not be at fault.” This means that if the accident was your fault, then Uhaul will not cover the damages and you will be responsible for paying for them.
Secondly, No auto insurance policy covers rental trucks in the United States. So, even if you have auto insurance, it will not cover the damages to the Uhaul truck or trailer.
Lastly, Uhaul will likely sue you to recover the cost of the damages. If you do not have insurance and you are unable to pay for the damages, then Uhaul could garnish your wages or put a lien on your property.
If you are involved in an accident with a Uhaul truck or trailer. It is important to know that you could be held liable if it is found that you were at fault for the accident. And if you do not have insurance, then you will be responsible for paying for the damages out of your own pocket. Uhaul may sue you to recover the cost of the damages if you are unable to pay.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has been helpful in understanding what happens if you crash a Uhaul. Remember, accidents can happen to anyone at any time. The best way to avoid them is to drive safely and always be aware of your surroundings. If you do find yourself in an accident, stay calm and follow the steps we’ve outlined above. With a little bit of preparation, you’ll be able to handle the situation with ease. Thanks for reading!
