What happens when you get into a wreck in a rental car? Most people in this situation explain that it wasn’t their fault. All the same, the company expects you to return their car in the same condition within the preset time frame. Good luck finding a body shop to make cosmetic repairs, and a mechanic to make any other repairs within that time period. And, you can be certain that no insurance policy would payout within days to make those repairs happen.
Instead, you need to asses the damage, take care of yourself, and then go through the insurance elements in your crash. It’s possible that decisions you may before you even got the keys to this car can impact what happens next.
If you get into any type of wreck in a rental car and it wasn’t your fault, it’s a good idea to contact an experienced car accident attorney in Atlanta, Georgia.
Did You Buy the Car Insurance?
Buying car rental insurance might seem like a scam, but it’s pretty important. For far too long, people have believed that their insurance is enough protection. It’s not the insurance coverage on your policy that rarely follows you into a different vehicle. The insurance coverage you have is for your vehicle.
While you might already have liability insurance on the rental because of state laws, it’s not something that you should count on for yourself. Liability insurance will only cover the extent of the victim’s damages if you’re liable. Now, if you’re partially liable, or if you were the victim, it may complicate the entire process that you didn’t have any insurance past liability. If the other driver was uninsured, then you would likely not receive anything.
Rental Car Insurance Options for Georgia
So there’s the big one, car rental companies in Georgia are required to provide liability minimums to meet the state’s standards. They usually charge you for it anyway for about $7 a day as a fee.
But, with a loss-damage waiver, if there are other damages, you’re not responsible for those. For something as low as $9 a day with most agencies, you can be sure that you won’t get charged for the time the car is in the shop, towing fees, or the deductible on the repairs. This insurance option also covers damages that could be present if the car was stolen or vandalized. It’s the equivalent of collision insurance.
Why Does Someone Need Car Rental Insurance?
Although it seems like everyone should go about business as usual, the possibilities of getting into a wreck in a rental car are as high as ever. Renting a vehicle without insurance could mean that you don’t have much protection in the way of personal injury or property damage. What if your work equipment was ruined in the crash, who will replace it then?
There is also the chance that you were the one who caused the wreck in a rental car and to that extent, the liability only coverage won’t do anything for you at all. It won’t cover your medical bills. It won’t cover your property damage, and surprise, you’ll have a ton of new fees for the damage to the car.
Will You Get Coverage if You Get into a Wreck in a Rental Car?
There are very rare instances when you will have to fight to get some coverage, and the worst-case scenario is that the other driver wasn’t insured. To that extent, your regular policies UIM coverage may kick-in and allow you to get some compensation for your injuries. That’s not a guarantee because each insurance provider handles these things a little differently. Always call your insurance company before you make decisions about not getting insurance add-ons when they seem unnecessary.
Accidents in Rental Trucks
Paying for a large rental truck does not require any specific certification, and it is an inexpensive way when you need to transport your belongings to another location. It is not an unusual phenomenon to come across these rented large moving vehicles while driving in Atlanta. When you need to move large items that do not fit in your car, you can easily find cheap packages for renting a moving truck.
Nevertheless, accidents involving these trucks result in severe injuries, primarily when inexperienced drivers operate them. When you lack experience in driving large vehicles, it can be challenging to maneuver and handle.
Truck accident claims are far more complex than car accident claims because of the severity of the injuries they can cause. If you or somebody you love were involved in such an accident, you will need to seek advice from an Atlanta truck accident lawyer to protect your rights.
What Do You Need to Rent and Operate a Rental Truck?
Generally speaking, the only thing you need to drive a large moving truck is your driving license. There is no specialized driving license or specific skill set requirement. A valid regular driving license authorizes you to operate such a heavy vehicle.
In case you rent a trailer, the rental company is expected to instruct you how to properly secure it to the tow vehicle, given that the equipment is inspected and well maintained. These responsibilities should be taken seriously; otherwise, tragic injuries could occur.
Rental Trucks and Inexperienced Drivers
The driver’s lack of experience is the main reason that these auto accidents in Atlanta happen so often. When you are used to driving a car, operating a truck is a significant change. Consequently, the injuries when an accident happens are equally severe and could include the following:
- Concussion
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones or spine injuries
- Displaced or broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Severe strains or sprains
- Back injuries
- Amputations
- Cuts and bruises
- Is Insurance Provided by the Rental Company?
It is imperative when you decide to rent a truck to have a clear understanding of:
- Whether your personal auto insurance covers accidents involving moving trucks
- Whether the supplemental insurance policy you purchase from the rental company covers personal injuries and damage connected with an accident
You should always confirm with your insurance company that your collision car insurance covers the rental truck in the same way it covers you while driving your own car. Also, you can check with your credit card service whether they offer additional coverage for rental vehicles. This applies only when you use your credit card to rent the vehicle.
People renting a vehicle from a rental truck company often do not purchase the additional insurance coverage they are offered. Purchasing supplemental rental coverage is optional. Therefore, the responsibility for a crash caused by the driver of the rented truck falls on their personal auto insurance to cover. If you have the minimum auto insurance policy, then the coverage of the accident’s damages will be limited. If you purchased the rental truck company’s policy, then part of the expenses could be covered by them.
Now, if the accident happened due to the vehicle’s malfunction from improper maintenance, such as brake failure, then you may need to file a lawsuit against the truck rental company. In this case, you need to consult an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer to help you recover full compensation for your damages.
Are There Different Compensation Types in a Rental Truck Collision?
The damages someone may suffer from a truck accident vary from case to case. If you or someone you love has been involved in such an accident caused by the negligence of the other party, you may be able to claim compensation for the following reasons:
- Expenses for property damages
- Loss of wages while recovering from injuries
- Medical expenses related to the accident, like the ambulance ride, ER visit, doctor visits, medication, and other
- Any special medical care needed due to disability, like nursing
- Pain and suffering from anxiety, mental distress, and other
- Costs of the damage to the rental vehicle
Will Your Rental Agency Allow You To Involve an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney?
Regardless of where you rented your car from, you can, and often should, involve an Atlanta law firm that handles wrecks in a rental car to protect your best interests. That often means that you need to contact someone quickly, especially if you’re not sure if your coverage counts or not. Now many people decline rental car coverage because they believe that their own coverage through their personal police is enough. As explained, that policy probably doesn’t cover a wreck in a rental car.
However, given that you’re the victim of a wreck in a rental car then it’s likely that you would pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s policy. That, coupled with the fact that the rental car provider must cover their vehicles for the minimum policy requirements in Georgia, means that you should have a fair fight for compensation ahead of you. To get started on your legal battle, contact The Weinstein Firm of Atlanta.
Consult an Atlanta Automobile Accident Attorney
Negotiating with an insurance company is not simple. At the Weinstein Firm, our team of experts will assist in determining liability and recover full compensation for your losses. Our law firm will ensure that you will not be liable for any unnecessary costs. Call us today to schedule a free consultation appointment with an Atlanta auto accident attorney.
