Tourists are a mainstay of the city’s economy, and many of them rent cars during their visit. Travel fatigue, unfamiliarity with local roads, and the tendency to overindulge in alcohol on vacation can all lead to rental car accidents in Orlando.
Determining liability in these wrecks is more complex than in other car crashes. Whether you were driving the rental car, your personal vehicle, or were a passenger, it is a good idea to seek assistance from our attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright. We are the lawyers other legal professionals turn to when they need representation in an accident case.
Insurance in Rental Car Wrecks
If you are a resident of Florida or another state that requires you to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, your PIP should cover your initial claim for medical treatment and lost wages. You likely do not have PIP if your state follows a fault-based system. In that case, if you are injured while driving or riding in a rental car, you may need to rely on:
- The rental car company’s PIP
- Your vehicle policy issued in your home state
- Any additional insurance you purchased when renting the vehicle
- Travel insurance, if you purchased it
- Any injury coverage provided by your credit card company (most only cover property damage)
- Your health insurance
Determining which company will cover your medical bills after a rental car wreck can be frustrating and time-consuming, so contact our Orlando attorneys for help reviewing your policies and sorting out this issue.
If no one suffered serious injuries, you may be able to resolve the claim without going to court. However, if you were badly hurt and have permanent injuries, you will need to file a legal claim to receive adequate compensation.
The At-Fault Driver Is Responsible
The party at fault for an accident pays the damages of anyone injured in the crash. Damages include expenses not covered by insurance, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, and compensation for your reduced quality of life due to your injuries, also known as pain and suffering damages.
If you can prove the rental car driver is at fault, their insurance should cover your damages. Pursuing a claim against someone who resides in another state or country requires assistance from our Orlando attorneys, as we have substantial experience with rental car accident injury claims. If the at-fault rental car driver has no insurance that covers the accident, you could present a claim against your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
The rental car company is not liable for accidents caused by drivers who rent their vehicles. However, the company could be liable if poor vehicle maintenance or a defect in the vehicle contributed to a crash. Our legal professionals could investigate whether any other parties, such as a vehicle manufacturer, another involved driver, or a local government, might share liability for the wreck.
What Are the Relevant Timeframes?
There are numerous deadlines to be aware of if you are injured in a rental car wreck. If you were driving the rental, the rental agreement likely requires you to notify the company about the accident immediately. When you speak with the company representative, do not take any responsibility for the wreck, even if you feel it was your fault.
Florida Statutes § 627.736 requires you to seek medical treatment within 14 days. If you miss this deadline, your PIP does not have to cover you. Our Orlando attorneys recommend a medical evaluation the same day as the rental car accident if possible. A prompt exam can screen for any injuries not yet presenting symptoms, and the medical record can serve as critical evidence supporting your eventual legal claim.
You have two years from the date of the wreck to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and any other responsible parties. However, rental car accidents typically require intensive investigations to identify the parties responsible, especially when the rental car driver is wholly or partially at fault. You should engage The Florida Firm to handle your claim immediately after the accident, so our team can begin investigating while memories are fresh and physical evidence is available.
Contact Our Orlando Attorneys After a Rental Car Crash
Claims for rental car accidents in Orlando can be complex. Fortunately, our attorneys at The Florida Firm are here to provide excellent representation in these cases. We are well known in the community for obtaining numerous million-dollar settlements for people injured in vehicle wrecks.
You owe us nothing unless we win your case, so you bear no risk if you choose to pursue a claim. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your rental car crash with our attorneys.