Accidents involving rental cars can further complicate an already difficult situation. In addition to dealing with your injuries and determining who was at fault, you may need to navigate a confusing web of insurance policies before your losses are covered.
Thankfully, no one has to deal with rental car accidents in Merrillville on their own. If you were hurt in a wreck like this, The Law Offices of David W. Holub is here to provide you with the guidance and support you need to recover fair compensation for your injuries. Before you attempt to handle this process alone, consider learning how a skilled car accident attorney could help.
Who Pays for a Rental Car Accident?
Determining who is responsible for a Merrillville rental car crash depends on several factors. Our attorneys could review the facts and advise you on the right party to pursue a claim against, which may be any of the following.
The Driver
The person operating the rental car is typically the first party you look to for compensation. If they were negligent and caused the crash, they are responsible for your injuries and losses. This is no different than if they were involved in an accident while driving a car they own. Their personal auto insurance may provide coverage, or they may have purchased rental car insurance through the rental company.
Insurance Companies
Multiple insurance policies could be involved. The driver’s personal insurance, if it extends to rental vehicles, may cover your losses. More often than not, one or more insurance providers will pay for an accident.
Rental Companies
Rental car companies are usually not liable for accidents caused by the drivers of their vehicles. However, if the rental agency knowingly rented out a car with a dangerous defect and failed to address the issue, it could be held partially responsible. This only applies if the company had prior knowledge of the problem and chose to rent out the vehicle anyway.
Understanding Insurance Policies After a Rental Accident
While it is true that insurance companies frequently pay out damages for Merrillville rental car wrecks, there are often multiple carriers involved in these cases. The facts will ultimately determine which policy is primarily responsible for your losses.
If another driver was at fault for the crash, you can pursue a claim with their liability insurance carrier. Drivers are required to have this coverage under the law, although not everyone will have policy limits high enough to cover your entire loss. It may be necessary to cover your own costs and seek reimbursement in the future, although your carrier could cover those costs depending on the type of policy you have.
Some rental car drivers purchase additional coverage through the rental company. These policies usually supplement their own coverage, but it can be confusing to determine which insurance company is obligated to cover the bulk of your loss.
You might also need to pursue a claim with your own insurer, especially if the other side is slow to accept responsibility. Our dedicated injury attorneys could help you navigate this process.
Talk to a Merrillville Attorney About Your Rental Car Collision
It is critical to seek legal help right away after rental car accidents in Merrillville. Getting the outcome you deserve may be possible, but the other driver will typically have the support of their own attorney.
At The Law Offices of David W. Holub, we are here to guide you through this process. Reach out to our team of dedicated injury attorneys to learn about your legal options.