Blog Post

U-Haul Focuses on Truck Maintenance Issues


October 10, 2007
Topic: Truck Accidents

A series of maintenance problems that caused at least one death in recent weeks has caused U-Haul, the country's largest supplier of rental trucks and trailers to revamp its existing maintenance practices. The Los Angeles Times which earlier published a three-part series that highlighted faulty maintenance practices at the company now reports that there are indications that the management is beginning to get its act together when it comes to fleet maintenance.

U-haul employees and managers many of whom for obvious reasons preferred to remain anonymous said there has been an increase in the number of safety tests and depth of inspections performed.

The Los Angeles Times series focused on a number of problems that were rampant at the Phoenix based company. While company policy mandates regular brake and tire checks, the Times found that compliance of these rules was irregular at best. At least half of the trucks and more than 80 per cent of the trailers in U-Haul's fleet were found to be overdue for a safety check. Some trucks and trailers were found to be pending inspection for more than a year.

The tragedy that can result when such gross maintenance irregularities are seen was brought out in the recent death of a U-Haul customer who died at the company's service center after a truck began rolling down and crushed him to death. Employees now say greater attention is being paid to the maintenance of the fleet. Dealers also report that U-Haul has been making increasing calls to step up safety checks.

Given the number of miles they traverse daily, trucks are subject to increased wear and tear and require regular inspections and safety. Poor maintenance can be a major causal factor when it comes to truck accidents.

If a badly repaired truck is responsible for an accident that causes injuries to the parties involved, the truck company can also be held liable for the personal injuries or damage that results from the accident. If you have been injured in a truck accident that was caused due to faulty truck maintenance call the California truck accident lawyers at The Reeves Law Group for a consultation.


The California personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group represent victims of accidents, injuries and wrongful death throughout California from our offices in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Fresno County, Kern County, Sacramento County, San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Antelope Valley, Torrance, Glendale, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Ontario, and Victorville.