Auto Accidents Involving Rental Cars
One of the first things that needs to be established after an automobile accident is liability. Liability determines who is at-fault for the collision and who is responsible for crash damages. Although liability is rarely straightforward, certain factors can complicate the matter even further, such as when the accident involves a rental car.
When an auto accident involves a rental car, liability for rental car damages will ultimately fall on the person who rented the vehicle, whether or not they caused the crash. Car accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau work with accident victims in Daytona Beach, FL, Palm Coast, FL, and surrounding areas to prove accident liability so that victims can be compensated for money paid out to a rental company, as well as additional accident damages.
Liability for Rental Car Damages
When someone rents a vehicle, they enter into a contract with the rental company. The contract holds drivers responsible for returning the vehicle in the same condition it was in when the rental started. That means that, if someone is involved in an automobile accident in a rental car, they are the ones responsible for paying the rental company for any damage or loss to the vehicle. Even if another person or party is liable for the crash, the rental car company will go after the renter for compensation for vehicle damages.
Rental Cars and Insurance Options
Given that renters will be ultimately accountable for damages should a rental car accident occur, they should be aware of their insurance options regarding rental coverage. There are three primary sources of insurance coverage for a rental vehicle:
- Rental car company insurance - When drivers rent a vehicle, they are offered supplemental insurance coverage through the rental company. Drivers may opt to add on a collision damage waiver, which waives repair or replacement costs if a vehicle is damaged or stolen, or liability coverage, which covers property damage and medical expenses of accident victims if the renter causes an accident.
- Personal insurance - Drivers may choose to use their personal insurance coverage to cover damages of a rental car accident. However, they should check with their insurance company to determine what type of losses are covered by their policy.
- Credit card company rental insurance - Some drivers may have automatic insurance coverage from the credit card used to rent the vehicle, but this depends on the terms of the credit card agreement. It is also important to note that credit card rental insurance does not provide liability coverage.
Can I Be Reimbursed if Another Driver Was At-fault for the Accident?
Even though a vehicle renter is responsible for paying a rental company for rental car damages, they may be able to pursue compensation for rental car expenses if another person or party was liable for the accident. Our car accident lawyers work with drivers in the Daytona Beach area to hold liable parties accountable for rental car damage expenses, as well as additional accident losses, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Chanfrau & Chanfrau
If you have been involved in a car accident with a rental car and would like more information about accident liability and how to pursue compensation for collision damages, the car accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau would be happy to answer any questions you may have. To discuss your case with our legal team, send us a message online, or call (386) 258-7313.