Are Rental Car Companies Liable For Accidents?
cartwrightlaw - August 29, 2023 -
Auto accidents can happen, and when they involve a rental car, the situation can be more complex than other car accident cases. Navigating the legal system and working with insurance companies can be complicated, especially if you’re not familiar with the laws and regulations surrounding rental car accidents in California.
At The Cartwright Law Firm, we have a team of experienced car accident attorneys who can help you understand your legal rights and options. From the first steps to negotiating fair and just restitution for your damages, we stand by our clients every step of the way.
If you’re involved in a rental car accident, contact us today to schedule a free initial case consultation.
Is the Renter The At-Fault Driver?
Who is liable for damages, and should you file a claim against the rental car company? The situation will vary depending on whether you are driving the rental car or hit by a rental car driver. In either case, only the driver deemed responsible for the crash can be held liable for damages.
If you are driving a rental car and are found at fault for an accident, the rental company will not be liable for your damages and you will need to make sure you have the appropriate coverage.
On the contrary, suppose you are involved in an accident where the other party is driving a rental car and they are found at fault. In that case, the other driver, their personal insurance policy, and the rental car company may be liable for damages and be named as defendants in the accident case.
Rental Car Company Liability Laws
When an accident happens involving a rental car, the responsibility for damages and injuries can fall on numerous parties, including the driver, another motorist, or even the rental car company itself.
The Graves Amendment outlines when rental car companies may be liable for an accident, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Graves Amendment is a federal law that serves to protect rental car companies from the vast majority of lawsuits filed by accident victims. However, as with any law, there are caveats and exceptions to consider.
According to the Graves Amendment, rental car companies can be held liable for the following reasons:
- A product defect on their vehicle
- They failed to properly maintain their fleet of vehicles
- They rented a car to someone who was visibly intoxicated or otherwise unfit to drive
- False advertising, where they have provided false information about the car or safety features
It is essential to understand that liability issues may arise, and an experienced attorney can investigate the facts of your case and determine if the rental car company is liable or partially liable for the accident.
Insurance Coverage with Rental Vehicles
Accidents involving rental cars can quickly become a complex issue. These situations typically involve several different insurers and types of coverage. In most cases, the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance policy will be the first source of reimbursement for the injured party. However, if the at-fault driver purchased separate insurance from the rental car company, this may also cover collision damage and other expenses. Additionally, if the at-fault driver used a credit card to pay for the rental, their credit card company may provide rental car insurance that extends to another party’s damages and injuries.
As the injured party, you may be able to seek restitution from multiple sources. Our skilled personal injury lawyers at The Cartwright Law Firm are experienced in working with multiple defendant claims and work diligently to negotiate compensation from each viable source.
Should You Purchase Supplement Insurance When Renting a Vehicle?
If you are renting a vehicle, it is crucial to understand your insurance coverage and if it is right for you to purchase additional coverage from the rental company. In California, liability coverage is not typically included on car rentals, and the additional insurance that a renter might purchase often only covers damages to the rental car, leaving your personal insurance policies as the sole source of reimbursement for any liability damages incurred.
To help prevent potential issues, ensure your personal policy has liability coverage, understand the limitations and exclusions of the policy, and consider purchasing supplemental liability insurance from the rental company. By taking these steps, you can help protect yourself from liability in the event of an accident, and enjoy a worry-free rental experience.
Steps To Take Following a Rental Accident
If you’ve been involved in a rental car accident, there are some key steps you must take to ensure that you are protected and your claim is successful:
- Contact the police immediately. Having a police report is crucial, as it will help establish the details of the accident. Without a police report, you may be unaware a rental vehicle was involved and have difficulty proving liability.
- Seek medical attention for any injuries. Regardless of the severity of the accident, it is crucial to have a medical evaluation to protect your health and establish your potential injury claim.
- Contact an experienced auto accident attorney. Rental car companies and other commercial policies typically have high insurance policy limits, which can make it challenging to secure a fair settlement. These companies often have teams of lawyers working to protect their assets and negotiate on their behalf, so it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side to help protect your right to restitution.
Rental car accident claims can take some time to resolve, particularly if there are disputes over liability or damages, and it is important to be patient. While you work on recovering from your injuries, our attorneys work diligently to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and any other losses you may have sustained as a result of the accident.
Contact San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers
Our knowledgeable attorneys understand the complexities of rental car company liability and will work tirelessly to protect your rights and fight for compensation for your damages. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Bay Area car accident lawyer.
Auto accidents can happen, and when they involve a rental car, the situation can be more complex than other car accident cases. Navigating the legal system and working with insurance companies can be complicated, especially if you’re not familiar with the laws and regulations surrounding rental car accidents in California.
At The Cartwright Law Firm, we have a team of experienced car accident attorneys who can help you understand your legal rights and options. From the first steps to negotiating fair and just restitution for your damages, we stand by our clients every step of the way.
If you’re involved in a rental car accident, contact us today to schedule a free initial case consultation.
Is the Renter The At-Fault Driver?
Who is liable for damages, and should you file a claim against the rental car company? The situation will vary depending on whether you are driving the rental car or hit by a rental car driver. In either case, only the driver deemed responsible for the crash can be held liable for damages.
If you are driving a rental car and are found at fault for an accident, the rental company will not be liable for your damages and you will need to make sure you have the appropriate coverage.
On the contrary, suppose you are involved in an accident where the other party is driving a rental car and they are found at fault. In that case, the other driver, their personal insurance policy, and the rental car company may be liable for damages and be named as defendants in the accident case.
Rental Car Company Liability Laws
When an accident happens involving a rental car, the responsibility for damages and injuries can fall on numerous parties, including the driver, another motorist, or even the rental car company itself.
The Graves Amendment outlines when rental car companies may be liable for an accident, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Graves Amendment is a federal law that serves to protect rental car companies from the vast majority of lawsuits filed by accident victims. However, as with any law, there are caveats and exceptions to consider.
According to the Graves Amendment, rental car companies can be held liable for the following reasons:
- A product defect on their vehicle
- They failed to properly maintain their fleet of vehicles
- They rented a car to someone who was visibly intoxicated or otherwise unfit to drive
- False advertising, where they have provided false information about the car or safety features
It is essential to understand that liability issues may arise, and an experienced attorney can investigate the facts of your case and determine if the rental car company is liable or partially liable for the accident.
Insurance Coverage with Rental Vehicles
Accidents involving rental cars can quickly become a complex issue. These situations typically involve several different insurers and types of coverage. In most cases, the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance policy will be the first source of reimbursement for the injured party. However, if the at-fault driver purchased separate insurance from the rental car company, this may also cover collision damage and other expenses. Additionally, if the at-fault driver used a credit card to pay for the rental, their credit card company may provide rental car insurance that extends to another party’s damages and injuries.
As the injured party, you may be able to seek restitution from multiple sources. Our skilled personal injury lawyers at The Cartwright Law Firm are experienced in working with multiple defendant claims and work diligently to negotiate compensation from each viable source.
Should You Purchase Supplement Insurance When Renting a Vehicle?
If you are renting a vehicle, it is crucial to understand your insurance coverage and if it is right for you to purchase additional coverage from the rental company. In California, liability coverage is not typically included on car rentals, and the additional insurance that a renter might purchase often only covers damages to the rental car, leaving your personal insurance policies as the sole source of reimbursement for any liability damages incurred.
To help prevent potential issues, ensure your personal policy has liability coverage, understand the limitations and exclusions of the policy, and consider purchasing supplemental liability insurance from the rental company. By taking these steps, you can help protect yourself from liability in the event of an accident, and enjoy a worry-free rental experience.
Steps To Take Following a Rental Accident
If you’ve been involved in a rental car accident, there are some key steps you must take to ensure that you are protected and your claim is successful:
- Contact the police immediately. Having a police report is crucial, as it will help establish the details of the accident. Without a police report, you may be unaware a rental vehicle was involved and have difficulty proving liability.
- Seek medical attention for any injuries. Regardless of the severity of the accident, it is crucial to have a medical evaluation to protect your health and establish your potential injury claim.
- Contact an experienced auto accident attorney. Rental car companies and other commercial policies typically have high insurance policy limits, which can make it challenging to secure a fair settlement. These companies often have teams of lawyers working to protect their assets and negotiate on their behalf, so it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side to help protect your right to restitution.
Rental car accident claims can take some time to resolve, particularly if there are disputes over liability or damages, and it is important to be patient. While you work on recovering from your injuries, our attorneys work diligently to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and any other losses you may have sustained as a result of the accident.
Contact San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers
Our knowledgeable attorneys understand the complexities of rental car company liability and will work tirelessly to protect your rights and fight for compensation for your damages. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Bay Area car accident lawyer.
“Our successful case results are a reflection of the values and virtues we believe in and uphold at Cartwright Law Firm. Nothing stops us from pursuing justice on behalf of those who need it.
Robert E. Cartwright Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner