Skip to main content Where Can I Find the Best Rental Car Accident Lawyers in Big Pine Key, Florida?
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Rental Car Accident Lawyers in Big Pine Key, FL
Getting into a car accident can be frightening and unsettling, but if the car you’re driving is a rental car, it can be even more stressful. You likely have questions and worries running through your head. Rental car accidents can be more complicated than an accident involving two personal vehicles. Multiple insurance companies can become involved: yours, the rental car company, and possibly even your credit card company. Beyond that, you could be dealing with severe injuries after the accident, trying to arrange medical care in a strange city, and worrying about time missed from work due to the accident.
If you’ve been involved in a rental car accident, your first question is probably, “Where can I find the best rental car accident lawyers in Big Pine Key, FL?” The team at Morgan & Morgan has the experience and dedication you need for your claim. Use our convenient form today to set up a free consultation about your case!
What Happens if I’m in an Accident While Driving a Rental Car?
There are several factors that contribute to a rental car accident. First, it’s essential to determine who was at fault for the crash. This information generally comes from the police report. If another driver hits you while driving a rental car, their insurance would be responsible for paying for the claim.
If you’re struck by someone driving a rental car, then which insurance company pays the claim depends on whether the driver purchased additional insurance through the rental car company. If so, that insurance company will pay the claim. Otherwise, you’ll likely go through the driver’s personal insurance company to cover your losses. In some cases, the driver’s credit card company may also pay some of the losses.
Will My Car Insurance Cover a Rental Car Accident?
If you caused the accident and someone is injured as a result, then your car insurance should cover the victim's expenses, preventing you from being personally liable for the victim’s expenses. What kind of coverage you’ll have in case you're driving a rental car depends on your policy. If you know you're planning to travel or otherwise need to rent a car, then you should speak with your insurance company about making certain that you have the right coverage in case of an accident.
Where Can I Find the Best Rental Car Accident Lawyers in Big Pine Key, FL?
An experienced rental car accident lawyer can help protect your rights after a collision. If you were not the party that caused the crash, then you may be entitled to compensation. You may be facing mounting medical bills or need ongoing treatment or surgery for your injuries. Filing a claim starts with finding out the answer to the question, “Where can I find the best rental car accident lawyers in Big Pine Key, FL?”
Common Damages After a Rental Car Wreck
Damages in a car accident fall into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive. Punitive damages may be assessed if the rental car company was negligent in maintaining its vehicles and a faulty vehicle contributed to the crash. You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost income or loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional trauma
- Diminished quality of life
- Property damage to repair or replace your vehicle
- Loss of consortium, if there is a wrongful death case
- Property damage
The legal team at Morgan & Morgan can review your case and help you understand what type of damages you may file for.
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What Can You Do After a Wreck in a Rental Car?
The moments right after a collision are generally painful and chaotic, and you’re probably scared, hurt, and worried about your passengers or the other driver. However, following the right protocols is important to ensure that your car accident attorney can file the most substantial claim possible.
Seek Medical Treatment
You may not feel hurt after an accident, but it’s crucial to have EMS examine you after an accident. First, your body produces adrenaline, which can mask some of the pain and symptoms of injuries. Second, some soft tissue or neck and spine injuries may not show up right away, and they will need a professional diagnosis. Third, having your injuries documented helps establish that they were caused by the wreck.
Call the Police
Depending on which state you’re traveling in, you may be legally obligated to report the accident. The other driver may try to talk you out of calling the police, but don’t let them. The responding officer will compile a police report, which your car accident attorney will use to establish fault in your claim.
Gather Evidence
You should exchange information with the other driver, including names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information. If you're able, take your own photos and videos of the accident, and gather any witness information. Note whether any CCTV cameras are nearby, which could have caught footage of the collision. Your lawyer will need evidence for your case.
Contact the Rental Car Company
Your contract to rent the car likely has the steps you need to take if there is a crash, and the company will likely have paperwork for you to fill out. You’ll also need to contact either the insurance company that issued your rental car coverage or your own insurance company.
Talk to a Lawyer
Your car accident lawyer is your advocate after a crash. Are you wondering, “Where can I find the best rental car accident lawyers in Big Pine Key, FL?” A lawyer with experience in rental car cases can help you file a claim against the other driver and protect your interests. They’ll manage communication with the other party and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf.
How Does Negligence Affect a Rental Car Accident?
Generally speaking, many car accidents hinge on negligence, and those involving a rental car are no different. The at-fault driver could have been negligent and caused the accident through distracted driving or carelessness. Or, the rental car company could have been negligent in maintaining the vehicle, and it therefore may be responsible for issuing an unsafe car to you.
If the other driver was negligent, then the case generally proceeds similarly to a case involving two drivers in their own personal vehicles. However, you’ll still wish to have legal representation to ensure that the other party’s insurance company doesn’t try to deny your claim or low-ball you on a settlement.
However, if your car accident lawyer determines that the rental company shares liability, then the case becomes more complicated. If the company failed to complete regular inspections or maintain the car to a safe standard, then they would be liable.
If you're involved in a crash with the driver of a rental car, you could also hold the rental company liable. Rental car companies have a duty to ensure that they rent only to people who have a valid driver’s license and are reasonably safe drivers. If they fail to rent responsibly, then they could be liable.
How Much Is My Rental Car Claim Worth?
Each claim is different, and the amount of damages your lawyer will seek depends on the value of your medical bills, the impact that the crash had on your earning potential, and the value of any diminished quality of life or pain and suffering. If the rental car company is at fault, then you may receive punitive damages for their negligence, too.
What Do I Do if the Rental Car Company Wants to Talk to Me?
The rental car company will likely need a statement from you about the accident. However, it’s always best to communicate with the company through your attorney. The rental company may try to put the blame for the accident solely on you, even if they shared in some of the liability. Let your lawyer talk to the rental car company, or have them approve any statement you make to the rental company.
Should I Talk to the Insurance Company of the Other Driver?
Talking to the other party’s insurance company should also be handled through your lawyer. Again, they may try to deny your claim or minimize it. Give the other party's insurance company the contact information for your lawyer.
Where Can I Find the Best Rental Car Accident Lawyers in Big Pine Key, FL?
Experience matters when it comes to filing a claim after a rental car accident. There are many car accidents and personal injury lawyers in Big Pine Key, and it can be hard to find the right one to take your case. Ask potential lawyers about their experience handling rental car accidents and if they’ve successfully pursued claims like yours before. Make sure that your lawyer is someone you feel you can trust and one that isn’t afraid to negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf or even take them to court.
What if I’m Driving Someone Else’s Rental Car and Wreck?
The agreement between the rental company and the person renting the car typically stipulates that only the renter or another designated driver may drive the vehicle. If the renter violates this agreement and allows a party that isn't listed on the rental agreement to drive the car, then the rental contract, including any additional insurance coverage, will be considered null.
In these situations, the person who signed the rental agreement may be personally liable for any damages after a wreck and may be obligated to pay for any damage to the rental car, as well. If this happens to you, you may be able to use your personal vehicle insurance or even insurance from the credit card you used to rent the car. Check your policy for details.
Where Can I Find the Best Rental Car Accident Lawyers in Big Pine Key, FL? At Morgan & Morgan.
Have you been involved in a car accident involving a rental car? The legal team at Morgan & Morgan can help. Don’t try to navigate this process alone — you need a seasoned advocate on your side, protecting your interests so that you can pursue your claim. Fill out our online contact form today to schedule your free consultation.
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