Car accidents are traumatic experiences, especially when they result in injuries. After a car accident, injury victims must navigate the legal system to recover compensation for their damages at the same time that they may be dealing with painful medical procedures and a lengthy recovery process. When an accident occurs in a rental car, it sometimes adds a new layer of distress as several different auto insurance policies could apply and insurance companies may dispute claims and point their fingers at another company.
What damages are available for compensation after a rental car accident, and what are the potential pitfalls to avoid in a claim?
What Insurance Will Cover My Damages After a Rental Car Accident?
In fault-based insurance states, the driver who causes an accident is responsible for damages to victims. Injury victims file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. In a rental car accident, the compensation available depends on whether or not the renter selected the additional rental car insurance. Whether you were driving the rental car or in an accident involving another driver in a rental car, the damages available depend on the type of policy in effect. A rental car may be covered by any of the following:
- The Supplemental Liability Insurance offered as an optional extra in a rental car agreement
- The collision damage waiver which releases the driver from responsibility for property damage to the rental car
- Your personal auto insurance policy if it includes rental car coverage and you were not at fault for the accident
- The at-fault driver’s insurance if another driver caused the accident
Determining how to recover damages after a rental car accident can quickly become challenging, requiring careful scrutiny of all insurance policies and an in-depth investigation into the cause of the accident to determine and prove liability.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident?
Expenses after a car accident quickly escalate—often at the same time that car accident victims are still recovering from the injuries and missing work days. Some car accidents result in permanent disability and life-altering consequences. After a rental car accident, injury victims may obtain compensation for any or all of the following common damages:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs for procedures, treatment, and rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to medical care
- Lost income
- Future wage loss
- Lowered future earning capacity due to disability
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Compensation for other non-economic damages specific to the case such as disfigurement, loss of limb, PTSD, or diminished quality of life
If the rental car accident resulted in the death of a loved one, a close family member may recover additional damages with a wrongful death claim for compensation through a representative of the deceased family member.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
The experienced lawyers Lightfoot Law, PLLC, are goal-oriented attorneys with years of experience navigating car accident claims, including complex claims involving rental cars with and without optional rental car coverage.
We know how to strategize the best path forward to secure the maximum compensation available for your damages. More importantly, we’ve earned the respect of our legal peers and the trust of our clients.
Call the Washington D.C. car accident attorney at Lightfoot Law, PLLC, for a free consultation and prompt action in your rental car accident case in Washington D.C. Contact us or give us a call at (202) 919-5453.