If you are in a car accident while driving a rental car, you may wonder, “Can I sue the other driver?” The answer to your question lies more with whether you are at fault or the other driver is at fault. Being in a rental car can complicate matters, but it does not relieve either driver of the responsibility to drive safely.
If one driver acts negligently or recklessly in causing a traffic accident, that driver can be sued under some circumstances to recover compensation for damages. Because of Florida’s no-fault laws apply in all car accidents, you want to consult with a Lake City car accident attorney to discuss your options. Do not let anyone convince you that you cannot sue another driver because of no fault laws. Always consult your own legal counsel to learn about your right to pursue litigation after a car accident.
RENTAL CAR ACCIDENTS IN FLORIDA
Rental cars are common throughout Florida because of the high volume of people who are visiting Florida for vacation or business. Being in a car accident is a traumatic and stressful event; however, when you are in a rental car, an entirely new level of stress may be added.
When renting a car, you need to check with your insurance provider to confirm that your personal auto insurance covers the rental car. Review your coverage so you know exactly what would be covered in the event of a rental car accident. You can then make an informed decision whether to purchase additional rental car insurance from the rental agency or decline the insurance coverage offered by the rental car agency.
If you are in an accident in a rental car, contact the rental car company as soon as possible. Most rental contracts have clauses requiring you to report the information to a certain office. Before leaving the rental lot, make sure you have all contact numbers you may need in case of an emergency. You should also contact the local police to report the crash and obtain an accident report.
THE RENTAL CAR ACCIDENT IS NOT MY FAULT
If the car accident is not your fault, you may have the right to sue the other driver for damages, injuries, and losses. It is extremely important that you establish fault in a rental car accident because you do not want to be held liable for damages to the vehicle if the accident was not your fault. Your contract may require you to pay the damages directly to the rental company even before you settle your claim against the other driver. Therefore, it becomes even more important to prove fault so that you can be reimbursed for the money you had to pay to the car rental company.
If you file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the same types of damages you would be entitled to receive if the wreck occurred while in your personal vehicle. Depending on the circumstances in your case, you may be entitled to sue for medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, emotional suffering, and future costs. An experienced Lake City car accident attorney can evaluate your case to determine if you have a claim against the other driver or another party.
CALL FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION WITH A LAKE CITY CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
You can reach the Koberlein Law Offices by calling our Lake City office at 386-269-9802 or our Gainesville office at 352-519-4357. You may also contact our office by using the contact form on our website. Our Florida injury lawyers can sort through the complexities of a rental car accident to recover any compensation you may be entitled to receive.
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