What Should I Know About Rental Car Accidents?
Rental car accidents are generally no different from normal car accidents. The only thing tht usually separates them is the fact that many drivers of rental cars are not as careful as they would be with their own vehicles, especially if they are tourists who are simply trying to enjoy themselves. This disregard for traffic rules can lead to many accidents and crashes. A few of the types of accidents include T-bone crashes, broadside accidents, head-on crashes, and more. Some of the common causes for these accidents include:
- Drunk driving
- Fatigued driving
- Vehicle defects
- Speeding
- Ignoring right of way laws
- Tailgating
- Turning without signaling
- Turning into oncoming traffic
- Running red lights
- Running stop signs
- Illegal turns
- Driving the wrong way
- Using a GPS or texting while driving
Learn more about your options for compensation by calling (213) 389-3765.
Does Traffic Have Rental Insurance?
Traffic, like most rental car companies, will provide its customers with insurance to supplement their own policies. This insurance usually varies from minimal coverage, such as waiving any damages caused to the vehicle, to quite comprehensive, such as covering the driver in case of any wrongful death or severe injuries. If you are involved in an accident with someone driving a Traffic rental car, you will likely only be able to target the driver’s personal insurance company unless certain scenarios happened.How Can I Sue Traffic For A Rental Car Accident?
You can only sue Traffic for negligence if they contributed to the rental car accident in some way. In most cases, the drivers of rental cars will be the ones acting careless and will get into accidents. However, there are times when these individuals should not have been in the cars at all.
One such scenario involves Traffic renting the cars out to individuals who cannot legally drive them. In order to drive a rental car, you must be over the age of 21, have a valid driver’s license, and have valid automobile insurance. There are times when representatives allow underage individuals to rent the cars or do not check for insurance or identification. Traffic can face many violations and fines if they are discovered to be conducting such practices, and if there are any accidents, the business can be held liable for damages.
Additionally, Traffic representatives must inspect all rental cars before sending them out to new customers and when they are returned to the lots. There are times when cars are returned with various troubles, such as tires that aren’t properly filled, brake troubles, engine problems, defective lights and steering and more. Often, agents will simply not inspect the vehicles and will release them to customers. As a result, accidents that can be tied to car troubles may be blamed on Traffic, and the company can be targeted for accountability in a lawsuit.
For more details on how to sue Traffic rental car agency, contact our law firm.
What Steps Should I Take After An Accident With A Traffic Rental Car?
If you were involved in an accident with a rental car from Traffic, it is important that you gather your evidence and see a doctor to ensure that you aren’t severely injured. The first step after a crash should always be to call the paramedics or go to the hospital for treatment. Some individuals are too amped up from the adrenaline and believe they are not injured, but then the injuries wind up manifesting or appearing a few days later. There are some damages that are invisible to the naked eye and only a healthcare professional will be able to detect them. If you do not get medical treatment quickly, the insurance agent can state that you were not injured in the car accident and you are merely blaming it for another incident that resulted in your injuries.
At the scene of the accident, you should take as many photos and videos of you can. This should include pictures of your injuries, the streets, the damage to the vehicles, and more. You can use this to set the scene and show the results of the incident.
You should then write down the contact information of the rental car river or the responsible party in the accident. You can also take down the insurance information as well.
It is recommended that you ask any nearby bystanders for their statements or testimonies if they saw the accident happen. It will be beneficial to have other perspectives and support for your case.
Learn more about your legal options by chatting with a representative now.
If you were driving a defective vehicle, it is highly recommended that you keep your rental agreement, bank statement, credit card statement, receipt, or anything else to show that you were a customer.
Finally, it is crucial that you reach out to a qualified Traffic rental car accident attorney who can take on your case for you. You very likely will not have the legal experience needed to go through with the claim and successfully win a settlement. You may be injured and the stress could delay your recovery time, or you may simply not know the best way forward and not know how to negotiate with an insurance agent. Our lawyers will take care of all the legwork for you and we will not give up until we are satisfied with the result.
What Compensation Can I Receive In A Rental Car Lawsuit?
As a victim of an accident with a Traffic rental car, you should be given fair compensation for your damages. It is unfair for you to be expected to cover medical expenses and other debts if you were not responsible for the accident. The individual who hit you should be held accountable, or Traffic should be made to pay off your debts if they were negligent in the rental process. We will make sure that you are covered for the following expenses:- Medical bills from the past and future, including surgery, medication, physical therapy sessions, and more
- Property damage for lost items in your car, repairs to your vehicle, and more
- Lost wages if you missed days of work or will miss days of work in the future
- Pain and suffering damages to cover mental scarring, PTSD, anxiety, fear, and more