The Legal Aspects of Car Accidents Involving Rental Vehicles

Every single car accident is stressful, even those that cause zero injuries and minimal property damage. When there’s a rental vehicle involved, the situation gets even more complicated. Whether you’re injured as the driver of the rental vehicle or someone in the other car, there are lots of questions. Who pays for damages? What happens with the rental vehicle’s repair costs? Will you get sued?

Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone. With the team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, you can navigate your car accident claim easily and with minimal stress. Call us at 866-565-4949 to get started.

Liability in Collisions

Determining liability is a key step after any car accident, and it works basically the same whether or not a rental vehicle is involved. The insurance companies and attorneys will look at the facts of the crash, get statements from everyone involved, and figure out who was negligent. In most cases, it’s one of the drivers. In some accidents, the auto manufacturer or municipality responsible for road maintenance is liable. If the person driving the rental vehicle is liable for the crash, they are expected to cover the damages associated with the crash.

The one difference with rental car crashes is that in some cases, the rental center could be liable. They are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure that their vehicles are safe and only used by safe drivers.

If they fail to do proper maintenance, send out a vehicle that is in a state of disrepair, or rent the vehicle out to an unsafe driver, they may be at fault for the accident. For them to be at fault for renting to an unsafe driver, they must have been able to find out that the driver was not safe.

So, if a driver with no history of poor driving choices wrecks the car while impaired, the company would not be liable; they couldn’t have known the driver would drive while impaired. But if they rent to someone with a long list of DUIs and a suspended license, simply because they did not do the proper checks, they may be to blame.

Rental Car Agreements and Insurance Requirements

Insurance requirements in Pennsylvania are slightly different from those in many other states. At a minimum, you must have $15,000 in bodily injury insurance per person (up to $30,000 per accident) and $5,000 in property damage liability. The PIP coverage requirements may not apply to rental vehicles. It’s important to note that these limits are very low and are unlikely to cover the full cost of a serious accident. For that reason, many drivers choose to purchase more extensive coverage.

If you use a rental vehicle, carefully look over the terms of your rental agreement before driving the vehicle at all. Make sure you have the minimum coverage required by the state and by the company itself, and that you are not violating any terms of the rental agreement. Otherwise, you could run into issues if you’re involved in a collision.

Seeking Compensation as a Victim

Whether you are seeking compensation as the injured driver of a rental vehicle, an occupant of the rental vehicle, or someone in another car, your first step is to talk to a Pittsburgh car accident attorney. While this is recommended after any car crash, it’s especially important for a rental vehicle accident.

These cases are generally more complex than other types of car accident claims, thanks to the involvement of a third party—the rental car company. While figuring out liability is generally the same, actually negotiating for a fair settlement can be a challenge. It’s important to connect with an attorney before you talk to the other party’s insurance provider, provide a recorded statement, or otherwise start your claim.

Start Your Personal Injury Claim with Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman

When you’re ready to find out if you’re owed compensation after a car crash, the team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman is here to help. Let’s talk about your options and get a better understanding of your accident and injuries. Set up a consultation right away—just call us at 866-565-4949 or send us a message online.