Rental Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident involving a rental vehicle, you may be confused about who is responsible for any injuries that you have sustained. Regardless of who owns a vehicle, car accidents often cause serious injury and can even be fatal. When accidents are the result of another person or party’s negligence, that person or party may be liable for any injuries or losses caused, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, damage to property, or lost wages. This holds true whether the negligent party is the driver or the owner of the vehicle. One thing a Florida car accident attorney will look for in analyzing a car accident case is the potential sources of liability. The fact that a rental car company owns the vehicle may provide another source of liability for recovering damages, and there are several unique issues that may arise in a car accident involving a rental vehicle that should be analyzed by a Florida accident lawyer.
Vehicle Maintenance
One of the most common causes of car accidents is poor vehicle maintenance. Issues like faulty brakes, worn tires, burned out headlights, or worn windshield wipers can cause dangerous driving conditions that may lead to accidents. Because a rental car company owns and maintains its fleet of vehicles, it is responsible for ensuring that the vehicles are safe and ready to drive. If a maintenance issue proximately caused an accident resulting in injuries or to another person, the insurance company may be liable for any damages incurred. To determine whether you may have a claim against the insurance company, you should consult with a car accident attorney for a case evaluation. A lawyer will be able to spot any circumstances that may indicate that the accident was caused by improper maintenance or faulty equipment, and may be able to bring a legal action against the rental company.
UnderFlorida law, every driver must carry $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and $10,000 in property liability damage insurance (PDL). Insurance companies are required by law to offer the minimum level of coverage.
Multiple Sources of Coverage
Another issue that may arise in a car accident involving a rental vehicle is the fact that there may multiple sources of insurance coverage. Generally, a person’s own insurance coverage will extend to cover any accidents that may arise while driving a rental vehicle.
In addition, some credit card companies offer car insurance benefits automatically if you use your card to pay for the cost of the rental. Depending on what a particular renter chooses to do, they may have only the minimum coverage required by law or may have redundant coverage, in which case it is important to determine which policy has priority for the purposes of claims. In addition, a renter may have purchased coverage in excess of their own coverage, meaning that a claim may be made against the rental company’s coverage if your injuries exceed the coverage amounts of the driver’s policy.
Contact an Attorney for More Information
If you have been injured in an accident involving a rental car, you should have your case reviewed by an experienced car accident lawyer. Because there can be unique issues raised in a rental car accident, it is important to consult with a lawyer who understands rental car agreements and insurance law. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to recover damages from the driver’s insurance or the rental company’s insurance. Call today, 954-961-5100 in Broward or 1-877-961-5100 in Florida.