If you have ever been in a car accident, you probably know how tiresome and annoying it is having to go through the process of getting the paperwork and legal formalities right. Well, if you have been in a car crash on a rental car, expect this process to be an even bigger pain in the neck.

Handling a rental car accident becomes more complicated not only because there is one more party involved – the rental company that provided you with the vehicle – but also because you will have to return the car to that company in the exact condition you rented it.

Rental company’s liability in car accidents

Some of you might wonder, “Can the rental company be held liable in this type of accident?” “Depending on the cause of your car crash, it might be,” says our car accident lawyers at Dan Doyle Law Group. One of the situations in which you may be able to hold the rental company accountable is if you can prove that the vehicle you rented from it was defective and/or improperly maintained.

This should not be an eye-opener to most of you, but immediately after a rental car crash, be sure to review the rental agreement to read more information about the rental company’s liability as well as your rights in the event of a car accident. “Also,” says our experienced rental car accident attorney Philadelphia, “Do not forget to review your insurance coverage to learn how much you can be covered in the event of a motor vehicle crash involving a rental vehicle.”

Insurance coverage for a rental car accident

Regardless of who was at fault for the rental car accident, the rental company expects you to return the vehicle to it in the condition you rented it from the company.

That means you will have to review your existing insurance policy and consult with a lawyer to learn more about other legal options to seek compensation for the car crash while driving a rental vehicle.

Unless the rental car was at fault for causing or contributing to the rental car crash (for example, it provided a rental vehicle with faulty brakes), you may be able to tap into several types of auto insurance:

  • Credit Card Rental Insurance- The vast majority of credit card companies here in Pennsylvania offer their customers some type of rental insurance. Our Philadelphia rental car accident lawyer advises you to read your credit card agreement to find out if this option is available to you.
  • Personal Auto Insurance- If you carry your personal auto insurance, you may be able to access your auto insurance coverage to pay for property damages as well as medical expenses to treat your injury.
  • Rental Car Company Insurance- Most rental companies offer different types of rental car company insurance coverage, including but not limited to collision coverage, liability coverage, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage. However, this may not be a viable option after a rental car accident.

Do not let them deny or minimize your coverage. Get the financial compensation you truly deserve. Contact Dan Doyle Law Group to get a free consultation about your particular case.

Call our offices today.