What To Expect From An Accident With A Car Rental

2 October 2020
 Categories: , Blog


If you are involved in an accident with a typical motorist, their auto insurance provider will be responsible for compensating you for your injuries. However, if you are involved in an accident with a driver who is renting a car, the situation might be more complicated. Those who rent cars are responsible for maintaining their own insurance or purchasing insurance from the car rental company. Also, some rental companies fail to verify that the driver is carrying insurance and you may discover that the driver is not covered at all. 

After a Car Accident with a Rental Car

You should take many of the same steps regardless of what type of car your accident is involved with. You will need to:

  • Make sure nobody is injured
  • Call 911
  • Exchange information with everyone else
  • Take pictures
  • Contact the insurance provider

However, one difference is that you might need to contact the rental company. The rental company will provide the customer with instructions on what steps to take based on the facts of the accident. You can learn about the type of insurance that was in effect and whether extra insurance was purchased at the time that the car was rented. 

Many forms of insurance won't be relevant to you, but if the renter purchased liability insurance, this may be used to cover you for the damage done to your vehicle and any injuries you have sustained. If the renter has minimum liability insurance, the extra coverage will help ensure that you receive full compensation for the damages you have suffered. 

When the Driver Doesn't Have Sufficient Coverage

If the driver is not covered, they will be breaking the law. However, you may still be able to seek compensation for your injuries with the help of an auto accident lawyer. You may be able to sue the motorist directly and receive compensation by collecting their assets. However, you will need to make sure that the defendant has assets that can be collected from.

To be able to win your case, you will need to prove that the defendant was negligent. You must also calculate how many damages you have suffered so that you can negotiate a settlement with the defendant. This can include not only the monetary damages you have suffered but also pain and suffering. Once you have negotiated a settlement, you will be able to receive the compensation you deserve.

To learn more, reach out to a local auto accident lawyer.


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