If you get into an accident with a rental car, in general, you can recoup your damages through a claim or lawsuit. The specifics of what happens, however, will depend on your situation. For instance, if you were involved in an accident with someone driving a rental car, you could usually pursue a claim through the motorist’s or rental company’s insurance provider.
Alternatively, if you were injured while driving a rental car, you could file a claim with the negligent motorist’s insurer. These situations can quickly get complicated because of the number of parties involved. Working with our firm could benefit you in multiple ways.
Legal Options You Could Have if You Get Into an Accident with a Rental Car
You could have these options following an accident involving a rental car:
You Could File a Personal Injury Claim to Seek Damages
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001 notes that Texas is a “proportionate responsibility” state. So, if you were in an accident with a negligent driver, you could pursue damages from their insurance provider.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) requires all drivers in the state to have proof that they can pay for collisions they cause. Filing a claim could recoup damages for your medical bills and property damage costs.
You Could File a Lawsuit Against the Negligent Driver
Most car accident cases – including those involving rental cars – don’t go to trial. However, if the insurance company or rental car company refuses to handle your claim properly, we could file a case against the other motorist.
You generally have two years from the date of your accident to file your lawsuit, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003.
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Take these Steps After Getting into an Accident with a Rental Car
The following measures could ease the financial recovery process:
Notify Your Insurer
Even if you didn’t cause the accident, you should still notify your insurance provider. They’ll still need to know about the collision. You might even have coverage for a situation like this.
Seek Medical Attention from a Healthcare Provider
Collisions can result in serious injuries. Per BMC Public Health, even seemingly minor injuries, like whiplash, can take months or years to heal properly. By visiting a doctor, you can establish:
- You were involved in a collision.
- You sought medical attention.
- You were hurt.
Your imaging scans and testimony from your doctor could attest to the severity of your condition.
Take Pictures of Your Vehicle’s Damage
If your car was damaged in the collision, you reasonably want these expenses covered by the liable insurer. By taking photos of your vehicle’s damage, you can build evidence to show the extent of your property losses.
Retain a Lawyer from Our Firm
When our firm opened its doors in 1988, we made one promise: to help injured Texans. Not only can we explain your legal options following a collision with a rental car driver, but we can also:
- Calculate your losses
- Negotiate a settlement
- Gather evidence to prove your case
- Manage all communications
- Review the liable party’s insurance policy
- Report your accident to the insurer
We also work on contingency, meaning you don’t pay anything at the beginning of our partnership.
Some Issues Could Complicate the Financial Recovery Process
In addition to providing the services we listed above, we can also address these complications:
The Rental Company or Insurer Asks You to Give a Recorded Statement
The purpose of a recorded statement is often to find ways to blame you for the accident. If asked to give a recorded statement, contact your lawyer. We can provide them with the information they need – and nothing more.
The Insurance Company Offers You Less Money than You Need
You are entitled to the coverage offered by the liable insurance company, whether it represents you, the other driver, or the rental car company. Our firm can negotiate a settlement with the liable insurance provider. This may include requesting your medical records, reviewing the details of the accident, and consulting with field experts.
The Insurer Employs Bad Faith Insurance Practices
The insurer might employ these measures to derail your case:
- Refusing to answer your phone calls or messages
- Denying your claim without a valid reason
- Passing your claim around from person to person
- Giving you the wrong information
- Pressuring you into resolving your case
You have certain rights as an injured claimant under Texas law. Our job is to ensure those rights are protected.
877-239-4878Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
Call in the Strong Arm for Help with Your Texas Rental Car Accident
After you get into a car accident with a rental car, you can decide what happens next. When you call Loncar Lyon Jenkins, you can explore your legal options at no cost. Whether you were injured or lost a loved one in a rental car accident, our Dallas car accident lawyers could help.
Dial (877) 239-4878 to begin. We can discuss your accident, injuries, and financial recovery options.
