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When you get in a car accident in a car you don’t own, the process for getting compensation can become very complicated, very fast. This is especially true when you get in an accident while driving a rental car, even when the accident was not your fault.
When you sign a rental car agreement, you take on responsibility for any damage to the car while it is in your possession. That is why it’s so important to always inspect your rental vehicle thoroughly to prove any damage existed prior to you leaving the rental car lot before accepting the vehicle. In a car accident caused by someone else, you are still responsible for the damage to the vehicle.
What does this mean for you? You will likely need to pay your insurance deductible to the rental company before insurance kicks in to cover the rest of the repairs. You may also be responsible for paying a rental fee for each day that the rental car is being repaired if you don’t have “loss of use” coverage in your insurance policy.
Be prepared to be charged for the cost of the damage upfront, as the rental company likely will not wait for insurance company to sort out who is responsible. You will likely need to get reimbursement from the insurance company later.
While getting compensation can be a complex process after an accident in a rental car, the key steps to remember stay the same as for any other car accident:
However, unlike in most auto accidents, there are two additional steps. First, you will need to call the rental agency to let them know what happened. Secondly, because there are many parties involved, we recommend calling a lawyer to help you sort out how to get the compensation you need.
There are three main sources of insurance coverage available for rental car accident claims.
Most rental insurance companies will offer to sell you collision insurance to cover the costs of damage to the rental vehicle, but there are four major types of supplemental insurance available.
If you were hit by someone driving a rental car, you will not be able to sue the rental company for your medical expenses or the damage to your car. Depending on what type of coverage the other driver has, and whether or not they purchased liability coverage from the rental company, you may need to file a claim against your own insurance policy to get compensation for your injuries.
Speak to a personal injury lawyer about your circumstances. Consultations at Nurenberg Paris are always free, and an experienced car accident attorney will be able to provide a clearer idea of who may be liable for your injuries in a collision involving a rental car.
Our firm has helped many Ohioans get the help they need after injuries from car accidents over the years, and we want to help you, too. The last thing you need to deal with after a painful injury is trying to find out from multiple insurance companies when you will get your check. Let us handle the paperwork, and if you don’t get paid, you don’t pay us. Contact the car accident attorneys at Nurenberg Paris today.
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