I Was in a Crash While Driving a Rental Car: What Are My Legal Options
Lakeland car accidents can cause serious injuries, sometimes changing the course of someone’s life in the blink of an eye. When a car accident happens in a rental car, it can complicate matters and leave injured parties unsure of what steps to take next.
At Moody Law, P.A., our car accident lawyers help Lakeland, FL, and Winter Haven, FL, clients understand their legal options when navigating a rental car accident claim. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rental car accident, we encourage you to schedule a consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Insurance and Rental Car Accidents
One of the first options to recover compensation for injuries is through auto insurance. In Florida, drivers are required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000. PIP coverage usually extends to rental car drivers.
Many other car insurance policies also cover their insured drivers when using a rental car. Filing an insurance claim is sometimes all it takes to cover medical expenses and property damage.
However, when injuries are more severe and medical expenses are high, insurance may not be sufficient. When this happens, it may be necessary to pursue other legal options.
Suing a Negligent Driver
If a rental car accident was caused by a negligent driver, it may be possible to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. A driver may be considered negligent for many reasons, including:
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Texting and driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Failing to follow traffic laws
It’s important to note that in Florida, you must be less than 51% at fault for an accident to recover damages through a lawsuit. In other words, you cannot sue another driver if you are mostly at fault, even if it’s only 1% more than the other driver.
When Is the Rental Car Company Liable?
The rental car company may be liable for an accident if they were negligent in some way that led to the accident occurring. A rental car company may be held liable if:
- The rental company failed to properly maintain the rental vehicle and this failure caused the accident.
- The rental company allowed a recalled vehicle to be rented and a recall-related accident occurred.
- The rental company failed to verify that the person renting the car had a valid driver’s license.
Recovering Compensation
A car accident attorney can help determine which legal option is best for your situation and help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
A car accident attorney can negotiate with insurance companies or help recover damages through a lawsuit. Some damages that may be recovered include:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been injured in a rental car accident, it’s important to know your legal options. The attorneys of Moody Law are available to review the details of your claim to find the right option for resolving your accident case. Please contact Moody Law to schedule a free consultation.