Your Rights After a Rental Car Accident in Houma, Louisiana
Have you been in a crash in a rental car? Do you know your rights and the next steps you can take? Rental car accidents are no different than any other car accident when it comes to your rights and responsibilities. Individuals who have been involved in a rental car accident should take steps to make sure everyone involved is safe and receives the medical attention they need. And, if you’ve been involved in a rental car accident, calling the police and making a police report will also be important to protecting your rights. You may need the police report later when making claims with the rental car insurance company, your own insurance company, or when seeking damages from negligent parties in your crash.
Where a rental car accident claim might differ from a claim involving your own personal vehicle has more to do with your insurance options and which insurance might be responsible for losses. If you purchased a liability waiver or additional coverage from the rental car company, you might be covered for damage to the vehicle and your personal injury bills may also be covered. Rental car companies may provide different types of coverage. Some coverage isn’t insurance, but is a promise on the part of the rental car company to not sue you for damages to the car. Other types of coverage may involve insurance for personal injuries and other damages. In addition to seeking medical attention and calling the police, you’ll want to reach out to the rental car company to let them know what happened. You’ll also want to read over the insurance policy or liability waiver to understand what coverage you have with the rental car company.
But what happens if you didn’t purchase rental car coverage? What are your rights, then? You may still be covered. If you have questions about your coverage, claims, or rights following a rental car accident in Houma, Louisiana, reach out to the Doyle Law Firm, a car accident law firm today. Our attorneys may be able to review the insurance coverage available to you, read over your policies, and work with adjusters and responsible parties to help you get the settlement and results you may deserve.
What Rights Might You Have if You Purchased A Loss Liability Waiver or Coverage From the Rental Car Company?
If you purchased a loss liability waiver or additional insurance coverage from your rental car company, this insurance might be the primary coverage you have if you are involved in an accident with a rental car. Turning to your rental car company first after a crash might be the best first step because it can help you avoid having to make a claim with your personal insurance policy, which could protect you from having increased premiums if you have to make a claim. Read over your loss waivers and policies and if you have any questions, reach out to your rental car company. If you are still confused about your rights, or if you believe you are being denied protections you paid for, consider speaking to the Doyle Law Firm, a car accident law firm in Houma, Louisiana today.
What If I Didn’t Purchase Rental Car Coverage?
If you didn’t purchase rental car coverage, you may still have options when it comes to making a claim and protecting your rights. First, determining negligence in your crash is important. If the other driver was at fault, his or her insurance may be responsible for damages. If you were found to be at fault for the crash, your personal insurance may also kick in. If you rented the car with your credit card, your credit card company may also provide additional coverage. Whether your credit card company can cover losses before your car insurance kicks in will depend on whether your credit card company provides primary or secondary coverage. Some credit card companies might take care of many costs, while other credit card companies will only pay for the difference after your insurance policy takes care of damages first. Contacting your credit card company after a crash to learn more about your rights is another step you can take.
Disentangling responsibility after a car accident involving a rental car can sometimes be complicated because multiple types of insurance might be available or involved in the claim. Understanding which policy kicks in first is important because that’s where you’ll likely start when making your first claims. Have questions about how to make a claim? Are you facing back and forth between insurance providers? Are insurance companies “passing the buck?” The Doyle Law Firm, is a car accident law firm in Houma, Louisiana that can review your situation, identify the types of insurance that may be available to you, and assist you with your next steps. Contact our attorney today or reach out to USAttorneys.com to get matched with the car accident lawyer at the Doyle Law Firm as soon as possible.