If you have been injured in an accident with a rental car driver, you may have to go through a complicated legal process before you can receive financial compensation. Like any car accident, the responsible driver would need to pay for your car accident injuries.
However, you may need to file claims against several policies, depending on the severity of your accident. David R. Price, Jr., P.A. can represent you in a case involving a rental car, working to maximize your financial compensation. Contact our Greenville auto accident attorneys to start representing you.
How Rental Car Insurance Works in South Carolina
Even though the car rental company offers insurance and tries to get customers to buy it, drivers do not necessarily need to purchase it.
Under South Carolina law, the car rental comes with its own minimum amount of basic insurance coverage ($25,000 in bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage) for, which the driver does not have to pay. The driver’s own personal insurance policy will also cover damages. If the coverage is still not enough, your UM/UIM coverage would pay towards your damages.
Insurance Coverage Can Be Confusing in a Rental Car Crash
As you can see, there are as many as three insurance policies that can be used to pay for your damages. You may need to deal with a multitude of companies to get the compensation that you deserve.
It is hard enough to speak with one insurance company, let alone multiple ones. An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate this maze and keep you from having to deal with the insurance companies directly.
Rental Car Companies Are Generally Not Responsible for Accidents
Often, a driver of the rental car is the one who would need to pay for the damages that they have caused.
While it’s usually the car’s owner who is responsible for the crash, it does not hold true when a rental car is involved. The only ways that a rental car company would be responsible are if they have failed to maintain the car properly or they rented to a driver who they knew presented a safety risk.
Legal Responsibility When You Are Injured While Driving a Rental Car
If you were the driver of the rental car, the traditional rules of liability apply to your accident. You would need to prove that the other driver was negligent and caused your injuries. The rental car company would receive the payment for the property damage. You would receive a settlement check for every other element of your damages when you can prove fault.
What to Do After a Crash with a Rental Car
The steps that you take in the wake of a rental car accident could put you on a path to success in your claim. Here is what you should do both immediately following the accident and in the days afterward:
- At the scene, get the driver’s insurance information and get a copy of the rental car agreement.
- Get the medical help that you need to treat your injuries and follow all the doctor’s recommendations.
- Contact one of our attorneys right after the accident so they can investigate what happened.
- Work with our attorneys as we help draft your claim.
How a Rental Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
When you hire an attorney for your rental car accident case, we can do the following to help you:
- Investigate the cause of the accident and gather the evidence that you need to prove your case.
- Determine the insurance policies against which you would file a claim.
- Estimate the value of your damages and document them for your claim.
- File the claims with the relevant insurance companies.
- Negotiate settlement agreements or file your lawsuit in court.
Contact a Greenville Rental Car Accident Lawyer Today
One of the most important calls you can make after a rental car accident is to an experienced attorney. David R. Price, Jr., P.A. can guide you through the entire legal process, protecting your legal right to full financial compensation for your injuries.
You can schedule a free consultation to discuss your case when you call us or message us online. Our contingency fee agreement means you do not need to pay anything upfront to get legal help.
