Bradford L., Sumiton
Renting a car is not something most people do on a
regular basis unless you travel frequently. A person renting a car may risk being
involved in an accident in a rental car due to being unfamiliar with both the
vehicle and the area where they are driving. Accidents can also be more difficult
to report because people there are more people involved including the rental
car company and its insurance company.
Right to
Assume Rental Vehicle Is Safe to Operate
There is a special duty placed upon on a rental
company to ensure that the vehicles they rent are in a roadworthy and safe
condition. The car company should inspect vehicles prior to rental since it is
responsible for injuries directly caused by known defects or those that a
reasonable inspection should have discovered.
It is also wise for you to perform a quick
inspection of the vehicle before driving it. Do this before leaving the agency’s
grounds and report any dents or damage to the car that do not affect its
drivability. You are not obligated to do this, but if the agency attempts to
charge you for damage to the vehicle when you return it, you will have protected
yourself by reporting the damage ahead of time.
Insurance when
Renting
Your current insurance policy will most likely
provide some coverage when renting a car. However, check with your insurance agent before you rent a
car. There may be some gaps in coverage.
If you do not have any coverage, you can usually buy additional coverage
from the rental company. If a credit card is used to pay for the vehicle, the
card company may also offer some limited protection.
If you have an
Accident
Reporting an accident with a rental car is very much
the same as reporting an accident in your own vehicle:
· Report the incident to the
police.
· Report the incident to the
rental car company.
· Do not offer to pay or
settle without the consent of the rental car company.
· Do not admit liability.
· Assist the rental car
company with any statement or information that they may need.
· Call your insurance agent also
and make a claim under your personal car insurance policy.
· Seek medical treatment
immediately if you are injured.
How a Lawyer
Can Help
If a problem with the rental car caused or
contributed to the cause the accident, a personal injury attorney can help you
determine if you have grounds for filing a negligence lawsuit against a car
rental company. Also, a lawyer can assist you in getting full compensation for
your injuries.
Nelson, Bryan and Jones represents clients in the following
areas: Social Security Disability, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Wrongful Death
Cases, Personal Injury Actions, Defective Products, Insurance Disputes and Bad
Faith, Fire Loss cases, Trucking Accidents, Worker’s Compensation, Drug
Recalls, Employment Law and Property Damage Claims.
No comments:
Post a Comment