If you’ve been in a collision with someone who was driving a rental car, you’re probably wondering who is responsible for providing financial compensation for injuries, vehicle repairs, and property damage that was caused by the accident. In this article, you can learn more about how rental vehicle companies work, what insurance companies will be involved in a rental car accident, and what you need to do to file an accident claim in order to receive compensation for damages and injuries you may have suffered as a result of the accident.
What Do I Do If I Was Hit By Someone in a Rental Vehicle?
Especially in tourist areas such as Las Vegas, rental cars are a popular form of transportation, and just like any other type of vehicle, drivers of rental cars get into accidents. In any type of auto accident, whether a semi truck, car, or rental car was involved, there are crucial steps to take that will protect your legal rights and set up your case for success if you need to file a personal injury claim to recoup your losses. Consider these tips from a leading Las Vegas personal injury attorney.
File a Police Report
Like most states, Nevada law requires that all motor vehicle collisions be reported to law enforcement. A detailed accident report will provide evidence of what happened and who was involved, which will be crucial information later when you file an insurance claim or if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit. Protect your rights and follow state law by contacting law enforcement immediately after a collision.
Gather Contact and Insurance Information from Involved Parties
While law enforcement is on the way to the scene of your accident, gather contact and insurance information from all involved drivers, and be prepared to share your information with the other drivers as well. Not only are drivers required to share this information by law, but it is necessary in case you decide to file an insurance claim or personal injury claim after the incident. Be sure to collect all information from the rental car driver, including:
- The driver’s full name
- The driver’s current address, especially if this is different from what is on their driver’s license or insurance card
- Driver’s license number
- The name of the rental car company
- The name of the driver’s insurance company
- The driver’s insurance policy number
- Contact information for the driver’s insurance company
If the driver of the rental car doesn’t have information regarding their vehicle insurance or is unable to provide their rental insurance paperwork, make this known to the law enforcement officer and gather all other contact information from the driver.
Review Rental Agreement
Collisions that involve rental cars can be complex, and it’s likely that all insurance companies who are involved will try to avoid taking liability or making payments. This makes it crucial to understand the rental agreement made by the rental car company and driver. Drivers are not required to carry rental insurance; instead, their comprehensive collision coverage will likely carry coverage for rental vehicles they may operate. To save money, many drivers choose to opt out of any additional insurance policies that are available to them through the car rental company.
In order to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, you’ll need to know the details of the rental agreement, which car rental company owns the vehicle, and what coverage the rental car driver carries through their own insurance company.
Consult with an Experienced Personal Injury Firm in Las Vegas
Especially if you’ve been injured, it can be difficult to sort through all of these details and examine complex car rental agreements on your own. A personal injury attorney can make this easier for you by providing a free consultation to help you understand your legal options and who may be liable for financial compensation. You’ll want to work with a local Las Vegas car accident lawyer who understands Nevada personal injury law, is familiar with rental car agreements, and can determine whether a personal injury lawsuit may be helpful.
Review Your Own Auto Insurance Policy
Although you may not be liable for damages if the other driver is determined to be at fault, your bodily injuries may be covered by your own insurance policy, called a personal injury protection (PIP) policy. These policies typically cover your injuries from an auto accident up to a specific amount. If your expenses and losses exceed this amount, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit against the other driver’s insurance, the rental car company and their insurance, and/or the rental car driver.
Learn More About Your Legal Options After a Rental Car Accident
Consult with the attorneys at Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC to learn more about what options you have after a collision with a rental car driver. They are making the difference in personal injury law with their extensive knowledge of Nevada state statutes, our attention to detail, and the personal service that you will receive every step of the way. Their approach works! Since 2014, we have settled over $215 million for our clients.