Short-Term Leased Truck Collision Risks in Georgia
Atlanta Rental Truck Accident Lawyer Analyzes Short-Term Leased Truck Collision Risks
The constant influx of people relocating throughout the Atlanta-Metro area results in many families renting moving trucks to facilitate their relocation. When renting a moving truck or trailer, most customers presume that the vehicles are properly maintained and safe. However, the failure of truck rental companies to conduct proper maintenance can lead to tires that exhibit excessive wear, dry rot, or improper tire pressure; deteriorated brakes that fail or malfunction; and other dangerous forms of equipment failure. In other situations, companies that rent large trucks for moving or transportation of cargo fail to adequately screen lessees, so these massive vehicles are entrusted to drivers with a history of motor vehicle accidents and moving violations.
When you are injured in a collision involving a rental truck in Atlanta, you may suffer permanent injury because of the massive size and weight of the vehicles. Collisions involving trucks that are not maintained or that are entrusted to an unsafe driver, as well as trailers that are improperly connected or that have hitches with worn parts, can cause devastating injuries. Frequently, customers that patronize rental truck companies lack the experience to safely operate these large vehicles or to attach the trailers to their vehicle properly.
Atlanta Rental Truck Collisions Caused by Improper Maintenance
The size and weight of a rental moving truck make it difficult to maneuver and stop, so it needs to be properly maintained. Tire blowouts, improperly functioning brake systems, trailers not equipped with brakes, poorly maintained steering, and other shoddy inspection and repair practices can pose a serious accident risk. Unfortunately, equipment rental companies sometimes cut corners to save money, which can result in vehicle malfunctions that cause devastating and even fatal collisions.
Rental Trailer Sway Accidents
Most people that rent trailers are college students, self-movers, and others with little or no experience towing a trailer. Many trailer rental companies permit fully loaded trailers to exceed the weight of the towing vehicle by 25 percent or more. Excessive weight can lead to extremely dangerous situations, especially when traveling downhill on inclines. The trailer can swing back and forth while gathering speed and force until the force of the trailer overpowers the towing vehicle.
When the trailer begins to sway from side to side, many drivers are unprepared and lack the skill to maintain control of the vehicle. The process of recovering control of a passenger vehicle-trailer combination when this swaying occurs involves a substantial degree of experience and ability that many drivers lack.
These accidents are more common than many people realize according to an article published in the Los Angeles Times. The article reported on several lawsuits that aggregated accidents caused by sway involving a tow dolly or trailer. One lawsuit reported over 1,170 such trailer tow accidents during a 3.5 year period, while another one reported 650 such accidents during a 12 year period exclusively involving tow dollies (i.e. two-wheeled trailers).
Although it is usually unsafe to tow a trailer with a passenger car, some rental truck agencies do not prohibit customers from using small lighter vehicles to tow trailers. The greater the weight of the trailer when compared to the passenger car, the higher the risk of a dangerous trailer sway collision on Georgia roadways. However, towing trailers and equipment dollies also can be dangerous when towed by an SUV or pickup truck because the vehicles have a high center of gravity that results in an increased risk of the vehicle rolling over in a collision.
Put Our Over 32-years of Legal Experience to Work For Your Case!
If you have been injured in a collision involving rented moving trucks or similar equipment, our personal injury lawyers fight for the compensation our clients deserve under the law. Montlick & Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located, our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
Toll Free: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
Hours: Open Today · Open 24 hours
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