Next Steps After Being Hit By A U-Haul
A moving van accident isn’t like a regular fender bender. U-Hauls are bigger. They’re heavier. And they’re usually driven by someone who rented the truck that morning and has no idea how to handle a vehicle that size. If you’ve been hit by a U-Haul in Louisiana, you need to know what happens next. The steps you take right after the crash can make or break your ability to recover compensation.
Document Everything At The Scene
Your actions in those first few minutes matter. If you can move safely, start gathering information before anyone leaves. Take photos of all the vehicles, especially the damage to your car and the U-Haul. Get a clear shot of the rental information on the side of the truck. You’ll need the driver’s personal details, their license, and any insurance information they have. U-Haul requires renters to show proof of insurance before they hand over the keys, but coverage varies wildly. Some people buy the supplemental insurance U-Haul offers. Others don’t. That difference affects who pays for your medical bills. If the driver has their rental agreement handy, photograph it. That document shows who rented the truck, when they picked it up, and what coverage they purchased. Also capture anything that explains how the accident happened: road conditions, traffic lights, skid marks, debris.
Get Medical Attention Right Away
You might feel fine. Go to the doctor anyway. Some injuries don’t announce themselves immediately. Whiplash can take hours or even days to show up. Internal injuries are sneaky. And if you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue that your injuries weren’t serious or didn’t come from the accident. Keep everything. Medical records, bills, prescriptions, referral notes. This paper trail proves what happened to your body and what it’s costing you.
Understand Louisiana’s Insurance Requirements
Louisiana operates under an at-fault system, which means the person who caused the crash should pay for the damage. When a U-Haul’s involved, figuring out who actually pays gets complicated fast. Not every renter buys U-Haul’s supplemental coverage. The company carries its own commercial policy, but when it applies depends on the specific circumstances of your crash. You might be filing a claim against:
- The driver’s personal auto insurance
- Supplemental coverage they bought from U-Haul
- U-Haul’s commercial liability policy
- Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
A Baton Rouge moving van accident lawyer can sort through which policies apply and who should be writing you a check.
Don’t Accept The First Settlement Offer
The insurance adjuster will probably call you quickly. They’ll sound friendly. They’ll make an offer that seems reasonable, but it’s not. Early settlement offers rarely reflect what your claim is actually worth. Insurance companies want to close your case before you realize how serious your injuries are or how much your future medical care will cost. Once you accept their money and sign the release, you can’t come back later asking for more. Wait until you’ve finished treatment. You need to know your prognosis before you can calculate what you’ve lost.
Know The Statute Of Limitations
Louisiana gives you a limited window to file a personal injury lawsuit. For accidents after July 1, 2024, you’ve generally got two years from the crash date. Miss that deadline and you lose your right to sue. Two years sounds like forever when you’re dealing with injuries and medical appointments. It’s not. Building a solid case takes months. Evidence has to be collected, treatment needs to be completed, and negotiations take time. Starting early keeps your options open.
Watch Out For Common Defense Tactics
U-Haul and its insurers know exactly how to reduce what they pay. They’ll claim their driver did nothing wrong. They’ll argue that you share some of the blame under Louisiana’s comparative fault rules. They’ll question whether your injuries are really as bad as you say. One thing you won’t hear them acknowledge? Inexperienced drivers are a massive problem with rental moving trucks. The company hands over 26-foot vehicles to people who’ve never driven anything bigger than a Honda Civic. These renters misjudge stopping distances, can’t see their blind spots, and panic in traffic. A Baton Rouge moving van accident lawyer knows how to push back against these defense strategies and hold the right parties accountable.
Get Legal Help
U-Haul accidents involve layers of insurance policies, corporate defendants, and complicated liability questions that most people haven’t dealt with before. Having someone who’s handled these cases makes a real difference. Palmintier, Thrower, and Treuting Injury Attorneys has represented clients injured in moving van accidents throughout Louisiana. If a U-Haul driver hit you, contact our firm to talk about your situation and find out what legal options you have for pursuing fair compensation.