How to Recover Compensation in a Rental Car Accident
Car accidents are never convenient. They prevent you from reaching your destination and leave you with costly damages. Working with an insurance company can be difficult. Some situations can make dealing with a car accident even more overwhelming, including when you’re in an accident with a rental car. Continue reading to find out how to recover compensation in a rental car accident.
Who’s Liable in a Rental Car Accident?
Liability in a rental car accident depends on a few factors. The fact that someone involved in the accident was driving a rental car isn’t initially important. First, it’s important to determine who’s at fault for the accident. Negligence is usually the defining cause of liability. For example, a person who is speeding, driving while under the influence, or reckless driving may be at fault when an accident occurs.
Whoever is at fault may be financially responsible for any damages they cause. If the person at fault was driving a rental car, it may be the rental car insurance company’s responsibility to cover damages.
Rental Car Accident Without Insurance
When someone rents a car, they’re given the opportunity to add on an insurance policy. This insurance plan covers them from any damages they may cause. It may also cover them from being personally responsible if they’re in an accident. However, many rental companies do allow drivers to decline coverage.
This can make pursuing compensation even more difficult. You should never decline rental car insurance unless you have another type of coverage. In most cases, your personal car insurance policy won’t cover the damages from a rental car accident. Some credit cards do offer built-in car insurance, as long as you pay for the rental using their card.
However, it’s important to note that the majority of credit card insurance plans are secondary insurance. This means that they’ll only cover any additional damages after your primary insurance provider covers their share. Some credit cards do offer primary insurance, but these often come with a high annual fee.
Recoverable Damages in a Rental Car Accident
Car accidents can be expensive. In addition to the property damages, you’ll also likely have some medical costs and lost wages. You may even have costs related to a change in plans. If you’re in an accident, for example, you may not be able to make your flight home. This could result in additional fees and travel costs. Depending on who’s at fault, you may be able to recover these costs.
How to Navigate a Rental Car Accident
Rental car accidents in Cherry Hill, New Jersey can get confusing. After establishing liability, you’ll need to build a case proving your damages. Larger insurance companies may try to minimize your damages, especially those that cover rental cars. They may even try to place blame on you for the car accident. Some rental car insurance companies may try to avoid paying altogether, even though the renter paid for coverage.
It can be helpful to work with a Cherry Hill car accident lawyer when dealing with a rental car accident. If you were in a rental car accident, you need a lawyer who can go up against the large insurance companies to fight for your legal rights.
Contact a Cherry Hill Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Rental Car Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a rental car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gelman Law, LLC represent clients injured because of car accidents in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Moorestown, Pennsauken, and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-861-4236 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 850 Rt 70 West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
