If you get into an accident in a rental car and the other person is at fault for the accident, you may qualify to file an accident claim against them to pursue compensation. Depending on the state where the accident occurred, the other driver’s auto insurance may cover the accident damages. However, if you purchased rental car insurance, the rental car company can inform you on how to file a claim.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a rental car accident, there may be other legal options for you to recover damages related to your injuries, such as filing a personal injury lawsuit. A car accident attorney from our firm can help you build a case, then fight for the compensation you need.
First Steps You Should Take If You Get in an Accident in a Rental Car
If you get in an accident in a rental car, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your case:
Make Sure You and Others Are Okay
First and foremost, make sure you and others involved in the accident are physically and mentally okay if you are able to move. If necessary, call for emergency medical help so that you and others get medical care.
Even if you feel okay, you should visit your primary care physician after the accident to get a physical evaluation and confirm that you have no injuries. This doctor’s visit can also serve as evidence for your case should you develop an injury later on that stems from the accident, such as whiplash or a herniated disc.
Collect Information and Evidence if Possible
At the accident scene, try to collect as much information as possible, such as:
- The names of all drivers involved in the accident
- Driver’s licenses and insurance information of involved drivers
- Contact information of involved drivers
- License plates of involved vehicles
- Details about the location of the accident
You can also document the accident scene by taking photos or videos with your smartphone to prove the extent of damages and car positions at the time of the accident. If any witnesses are present, you may ask for their contact information so that they can provide testimony for your case.
Call the Police to Report the Accident
Many states require you to report the accident to local law enforcement if any injury, fatality, or property damage occurred due to a vehicle accident. When the reporting officer arrives at the accident scene, you may request a copy of the accident report from them.
If you are unable to collect the accident report, we may be able to help retrieve this information for you.
Determine Whether You Have Insurance to Cover the Accident
As mentioned, if you purchased rental car insurance when checking out the vehicle, you can call the rental car company and report the accident to them. From there, one of their representatives can guide you on how to file a claim with its insurer.
If you did not purchase insurance for the rental vehicle, you may have to report the accident to your own auto insurance company to cover damages if the state where the accident occurred is a no-fault state. In at-fault states, your insurer can coordinate with the other driver’s insurer to negotiate accident coverage. Be careful about how you describe the accident when calling your insurance company.
Consider Working with a Car Accident Lawyer If You Suffered Injuries
If you suffered injuries and other damages because of the rental car accident, you may want to consider working with a car accident lawyer to build a case against the at-fault driver. Our attorneys can help you pursue financial compensation for your damages and work with you on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t have to pay attorney’s fees out of your own pocket.
Our law office offers legal services to help accident victims fight for their financial recovery. We can start working for you as soon as we review your case.
You May Recover Damages After a Rental Car Accident
If you decide to work with a car accident lawyer to file a claim or lawsuit, you can discuss what damages you suffered because of the accident. In many cases, people are able to demand compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Rental car fees
- Income loss
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
In cases where someone suffered a catastrophic injury, such as a spinal cord injury, they may also pursue damages related to having to live with a permanent disability, such as long-term medical treatment costs, caretaking service costs, and medical aid equipment costs.
Additionally, if you lost a loved one because of a rental car accident, you may file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit on their behalf. Through this action, you can demand compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other emotional damages related to grieving your late loved one.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Build a Rental Car Accident Case
If you decide to work with an attorney from our law firm, we provide the following services:
- Investigating your rental car accident and reading insurance policies that apply
- Collecting evidence to support your case
- Filling out paperwork and submitting your case within the statute of limitations
- Handling communications with all involved parties, such as insurance adjusters, legal attorneys, and court officials
- Meeting with the opposing party to negotiate a potential settlement agreement on your behalf
- Preparing your case for trial if necessary
Our team will also be available for legal counsel if you ever have questions about the progress of your case or how to proceed with legal decisions.
Call Domingo Garcia to Get a Free Case Review
If you get into an accident in a rental car and suffered an injury as a result, you may have grounds to pursue compensation from the other driver or a related party if their negligence led to the accident. A rental car accident lawyer from Domingo Garcia can represent you and lead an investigation into the accident to build your case.
Our legal team serves accident victims and has helped people win multimillion-dollar settlements. Want to learn more about our legal services? Call Domingo Garcia today to get a free consultation with a member of our team.
