There are a number of different reasons why a person or business may rent a truck. It is imperative that these trucks are operated in the safest possible manner. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has found that rental trucks are disproportionately likely to be involved in collisions. At Bernheim Kelley, our truck accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale has the skills and experience to handle the full range of rental truck accident claims. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a top Florida rental truck accident lawyer.
Types of Rental Truck Accidents
Rental trucks, frequently used for moving or business deliveries, can become involved in various accident types due to their size, unfamiliar controls, or inexperienced drivers. Here is an overview of some of the most common types of rental truck accidents:
- Rear-end collisions: These often occur due to the longer stopping distances required for heavy vehicles. More than half of multi-vehicle collisions are rear-end crashes.
- Blind spot accidents: Rental trucks have larger blind spots on both sides, often leading to lane change accidents. Many drivers are not familiar with the blind spots of a rental truck.
- Wide turn collisions: Due to their size, rental trucks often need extra room to turn, which can lead to collisions with other vehicles.
What are the Most Common Causes of Rental Truck Accidents
Rental truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but there are some causes that seem to be more prevalent than others. Some of the most common causes of rental truck crashes in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere in Florida include:
- Inexperience: Many people who rent trucks aren’t familiar with driving large vehicles. The size, braking system, and handling can be vastly different from regular cars.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, adjusting the radio or GPS, or even eating can divert attention from the road. Distracted driving truck accidents happen far too often.
- Traffic Violations: Speeding, not yielding, or failing to adhere to traffic signals can lead to severe accidents, especially with the longer stopping distances required for larger trucks.
- Rental Truck Defects: In some, the issue is not with the driver but the truck itself. Improper maintenance or latent manufacturing defects can result in malfunctions.
Who Is Liable for Injuries Suffered While Using the Rental Truck?
It depends. Every rental accident in Florida requires a comprehensive, detail-driven investigation. In some cases, the incident may fall under our state’s no-fault insurance system. In other cases, you may have a fault-based claim against the responsible party. A number of different parties may bear liability in a rental truck accident claim, including:
- The Liability of Rental Truck Drivers: Truck accidents due to driver negligence are relatively common. Indeed, the negligent driver is often held liable for the victim’s injuries and damage caused in many incidents. If the rental truck driver was reckless or distracted, then they are at fault for the accident. Other examples of negligence may include driving while intoxicated, failure to obey the rules of the road, speeding, or miscalculating turns.
- The Liability of the Rental Company: At times, the rental truck company may be held liable for your injuries. This could be the case if poor maintenance and negligence were a direct factor in the collision. Rental truck companies are responsible for maintaining their trucks and not renting out trucks they know to be unsafe. They are also responsible for only renting rental trucks to drivers who hold a valid driver’s license. If the company fails to do so, they have rented the truck to an unlicensed driver. If the driver hits another motor vehicle or damages property, the company can be held liable.
- The Liability of Manufacturers: Finally, the manufacturer can be held liable for your injuries if the accident occurred due to a defective product or part. If, for example, the brakes malfunction while the rental truck is moving, then neither you nor the rental truck driver is at fault for an unavoidable collision. In this case, the manufacturer is at fault.
- There is a difference between a poorly maintained part and a defective part. A faulty part fails to function correctly in the way it was intended, whereas a neglected part does not work the way it was designed because of repair or maintenance needs. The manufacturer is responsible for a defect-free product, and the rental truck company is responsible for maintaining their vehicles.
Which Damages Can Be Recovered in a Rental Truck Claim in Florida
In Florida, rental truck accident victims have the right to pursue financial compensation for both economic losses and non-economic damages. Along with other types of losses, our personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can help you seek financial relief for:
- Property damages;
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Medical bills;
- Lost wages;
- Diminished earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disability;
- Disfigurement; and
- Wrongful death.
What Happens if the Truck Accident Involves Trucks From Two Different States?
If a rental truck accident involves trucks from two different states, the state law where the crash occurred typically applies to determining liability and damages. However, insurance claims can become especially complex in such scenarios. Our Fort Lauderdale rental truck accident lawyers have the skills and experience to protect your rights and your interests.
Do You Need a Special License to Drive a Rental Truck?
No—at least not in Florida. Anyone with a valid driver’s license is free to rent and drive a rental truck—even without prior training or experience. Due to these lax restrictions, it’s no wonder that rental truck accidents happen every day. Rental trucks can be substantially more challenging to handle than standard motor vehicles due to their weight and size.
Why Rely On the Florida Rental Truck Accident Attorneys at Bernheim Kelley
Rental truck accident claims are notoriously complex. You need a top attorney on your side. At Bernheim Kelley, our legal team will work hard to hold the rental truck driver, company, or manufacturer financially responsible for your injuries. We want you to be fully compensated as soon as possible. Among other things, our Florida rental truck accident attorneys are ready to:
- Hear your story and answer questions about your personal injury claim;
- Investigate your rental truck accident—gathering all relevant evidence;
- Handle rental truck accident paperwork and negotiations with insurers; and
- Develop a strategy focused on ensuring that you secure the maximum compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Florida Rental Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Bernheim Kelley, our Florida rental truck accident attorneys go above and beyond to help victims and families secure the maximum financial compensation. Contact us right away to set up your free, no-obligation initial case evaluation. With offices located across the state, we handle rental truck accident claims throughout Florida.