If you were recently involved in a car accident while driving a rental car, and you suffered injuries as a result, it is natural for you to have questions about making an injury claim to recover compensation for your medical bills and more. Continue reading for some helpful tips that will get you started in the right direction.
Rental cars are convenient commodities for traveling relatives, businessmen, tourists, and more. However, if a person is involved in a car accident while driving a rental car, there could be some serious legal consequences depending on the type of auto insurance carried and various other factors. If you are ever hurt in a car accident, whether in a rental car or your own, it is vital to get in contact with a licensed car accident lawyer to discuss your rights to compensation and the best course of action for making a claim.
Contract Terms and Conditions
When renting a car, it is important to choose a company that is well known for reputable business and dependable vehicles. Once you choose your car rental company, make it a priority to review their contract terms and conditions closely before signing any documents. Rental car liability differs from state to state, and even sometimes from company to company.
For instance, some states require a driver to have their own auto insurance policies to cover property damage to the rental vehicle in the case that they cause an accident. Other states require drivers to have their own insurance policies that will cover their damages and injuries that result from a rental car accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Check Your Policy
Your policy may or may not protect you if you are injured in a rental car accident. For these reasons and more, it is wise to review your own auto insurance policy coverage before renting a vehicle. This is especially important if you are renting a vehicle that will be operated by another driver. These conditions should be reviewed and understood prior to doing any business with a rental car company too.
If your automotive policy only provides a limited amount of coverage, you always have the option of adding additional liability coverage through your own insurance carrier or through the rental car company. Although optional, it is strongly recommended to always purchase additional insurance coverage when you pick up your rental vehicle.
Common Types of Rental Car Insurance Coverage May Include:
☑ Loss Damage Waiver (Collision Damage Waiver) – This pays for the cost of repair for any damages to the car. Generally, the client pays the deductible.
☑ Personal Accident Insurance – This pays remunerations for personal injuries or wrongful deaths.
☑ Supplemental Liability Insurance – This pays remunerations for property damages and personal injuries of other victims, aside from the driver and their passengers.
☑ Personal Effects Coverage – This is meant to members a driver for any personal belongings damaged or lost.
Talk to a Rental Car Accident Attorney Right Away
Rental car accidents can result in severe injuries, and in very unfortunate scenarios, death. Whether you were driving a rental car at the time your accident occurred, or you were injured in an accident by a rental car driver, it is important to contact a licensed Indianapolis car accident attorney right away to protect your rights to remuneration. They have experience working with rental car agencies and accident claims, and can recover the full and fair compensation you deserve to get your life back to where it was before your injuries.