Getting into an accident while driving your own car is bad enough, but if you were driving a rental vehicle, the accident might become much more complicated. It is incredibly important that we prove you were not liable for the accident. Whoever is liable might not only be responsible for the other driver’s damages but also the damage to the rental vehicle.
After an accident in a rental car, you should treat the accident as you would any other. Call 911 and request police assistance. You might also need an ambulance if anyone is seriously injured. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to determine your legal options and protect yourself if others attempt to blame you for the collision. We must explain what happened to the rental company, and it is a good idea to have an attorney present when you speak with them. Your attorney can help you navigate complex insurance claims and prepare a lawsuit, if necessary.
Call our South Carolina car accident lawyers with Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000 to get a free, private case evaluation.
What to Do Following an Accident with a Rental Car
While an accident involving a rental car can be legally complicated, you should still treat it like any other accident as far as emergency help goes.
You should get help immediately. If you or someone else at the scene has a phone, call 911 and get the police involved. If anyone is injured, you should also ask for an ambulance to be sent to your location.
It is imperative that you contact the police if your accident involves a rental car because our South Carolina car accident lawyers will likely need a copy of the police report. We need something to show the rental car company to prove the accident. Depending on what is in the report, the rental car company might be convinced that you were not responsible for the accident.
Finally, call a lawyer as soon as you can. Not only do you need compensation for your damages, but you also need someone to help you deal with the rental car company.
What to Say to the Car Rental Company After an Accident in South Carolina
Naturally, you must report the accident to the rental car company. They will get suspicious if you turn up without their vehicle. Before speaking with them, consult a lawyer. Your attorney may be able to help you explain what happened while also protecting you from legal action from the rental car company.
If you speak to the rental company before getting a lawyer, avoid agreeing to anything or signing anything until you speak to a lawyer. You want to make sure that you are not on the hook for anything that you are not legally responsible for.
Once we have a copy of the police report, we should send it to the rental car company. They may need it for their own insurance purposes. We also need to show them the report so they know your claims are not fraudulent.
Preparing a Lawsuit After an Accident Involving a Rental Car in South Carolina
Your attorney should help you begin preparing your lawsuit against the other negligent driver who caused the accident. They should also be communicating with the defendant and the rental car company about the case.
First, your attorney should assist you in assessing your damages. This includes accounting for numerous financial costs, like medical bills and property damage. It may also involve documenting non-economic damages like pain, distress, and trauma. Any damages that are left out when we file the case might not be claimed later, so we must be accurate.
Next, your lawyer should loop in the rental company. Remember, your case is not against the rental company – unless they provided you with a faulty car – and they may need to know what is happening with your lawsuit. In some cases, the rental car company is a party to the lawsuit because it wants damages for its vehicle.
Am I Responsible for Damage to a Rental Car After a Car Accident?
Depending on how the accident happened and the terms of your rental agreement, you may or may not be responsible for the damage to the rental car. You should review your rental agreement with your attorney as you prepare your case.
It is possible that the rental company will only hold you responsible for damages to their vehicle if you are at fault for the accident. Again, you should double-check the terms of your rental agreement with your attorney. Exactly what kind of evidence the rental company wants to see before they let you off the hook will vary.
How Insurance Affects Accidents Involving Rental Cars in South Carolina
A major part of almost any car accident case is insurance. You might have insurance to help you, and so might the other driver. The rental company is also likely to have insurance to cover accidents involving rental vehicles.
Generally, injured drivers in South Carolina may file claims with the other driver’s liability coverage. If the other driver is uninsured, you might have uninsured motorist coverage or other first-party benefits, like MedPay.
The rental car company may also have insurance. In fact, rental insurance is pretty standard, and your accident might be covered. If you took the “extra insurance” when you rented the car, it might also cover vehicle damage and perhaps other damages. However, you should review the terms of any rental insurance with your lawyer before you file any claims.
What Happens to a Rental Vehicle After a Car Accident in South Carolina?
The vehicles involved in an accident may reveal powerful evidence. As such, they should be inspected if possible. If they cannot be, drivers should take lots of photos before the cars are removed.
The rental company may or may not want to see the damaged vehicle for themselves. They might have their own insurance adjusters come to investigate, and they may need the car. In many cases, damaged vehicles are removed by professionals. In others, they are impounded by the police.
Your attorney can help you keep track of the vehicle and advise you on what to do if the insurance company wants it back after the accident.
Call Our South Carolina Car Accidents to Discuss Your Case Now
Call our Sumter, SC car accident lawyers with Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000 to get a free, private case evaluation.
