Rental car accidents and liability often involve multiple insurance policies and responsibilities. Determining fault for the accident is critical to identifying the liable party and appropriate insurance policy.
As with other types of car accidents, the responsible party may attempt to blame you for the accident. Additionally, a rental car company or insurer may refuse to honor your policy’s coverage.
If you or a loved one suffered damages such as lost wages, medical costs, and more, get help from a Philadelphia rental car accident attorney. An attorney can investigate your accident, determine fault, and pursue the correct path toward possible compensation.
Philadelphia Rental Car Accidents
What you need to know
Renting a car has never been easier. Multiple apps and websites make booking and paying for a car rental quick and convenient. Researchers predict that car rentals will rise to 108.50 million in America by 2027.
Heavily used by tourists, rental cars are also a popular choice for those wanting to try a particular vehicle, who only occasionally need a car, or who have a car in for repair. Car rental companies ask users to purchase insurance or provide proof of coverage.
The minimum car insurance requirements under Pennsylvania law are:
- $15,000 for the injury or death of one person in an accident
- $30,000 for the injury or death of more than one person in an accident
- $5,000 for damage to the property of another person.
A traumatic rental car accident can leave you or a loved one with significant damages. The minimum car insurance requirements are likely not enough to cover catastrophic rental car injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple bone fractures
- Internal bleeding or organ damage.
Fighting for the compensation you deserve now is best left in the hands of a rental car accident attorney. By determining fault and proving negligence, your attorney will pursue a civil claim or lawsuit for your costly damages.
Peer-to-Peer Carsharing
A growing trend to watch
Peer-to-peer carsharing involves car owners allowing others to use their cars for a fee. All transactions are generally managed through a third-party app.
Pennsylvania law requires that the vehicle driver and the vehicle owner have at least the minimum insurance requirements stated in the law. The requirement may be met by the driver’s policy, the owner’s policy, the carsharing platform’s policy, or a combination of the three.
If the carsharing platform’s policy is the only policy, their coverage may not be enough to cover your damages in the event of negligence. Started as a response to low car rental availability, carsharing places drivers in unfamiliar vehicles. One reckless driver or unsafe car can forever change your life.
No one who suffers severe injuries due to negligence should manage their case alone. Peer-to-peer carsharing accident attorneys in Philadelphia can help you by reviewing policies and determining an action plan.
Why Choose Us For Your Rental Car Case?
We bring over five decades of experience to the table.
The Cochran Firm has experience managing some of Philadelphia’s most challenging cases. We have the resources and skills critical for successful civil cases. Our commitment to our clients is evident in past verdict and settlement results.
All clients receive the quality customer service they deserve, delivered with the utmost confidentiality, care, and compassion. Clients can also expect aggressive representation as we fight for fair compensation.
Let us put our experience and negotiation or trial skills to work for you. We want to help you pursue just compensation for your rental car accident damages.
How We Help You Fight For What You Deserve
We dive deeper to learn more about your accident.
At The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia, we stand up to rental car companies, insurance companies, and others who attempt to deny our clients fair compensation. To build your case, we gather the following information and evidence:
- Police report: A detailed police report generally helps identify the person at fault.
- Eye-witness accounts: Interviews with witnesses sometimes aid an investigation if they are conducted soon after the accident.
- Accident scene photographs: Carefully examining accident scene photographs sometimes aids an investigation.
- Your medical reports: Medical information detailing the extent of your injuries and the need for ongoing or long-term care.
- Documentation of lost wages: Detailed information about the effect of the accident on your finances and career.
- Rental car accident impact: The overall impact of the rental car accident on your quality of life.
The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia has a proud tradition of helping accident victims with their personal injury claims and lawsuit. While each case is different, we will apply the same determination and commitment to your case. We will not stop until we secure the best outcome possible.
The aftermath of a rental car accident is generally baffling for those involved. Determining who is at fault and how to hold them responsible is best left to a Philadelphia car rental accident attorney. The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia offers a free case consultation to help you learn more.
Rental Car Accidents: FAQs
A Philadelphia rental car accident attorney answers frequently asked questions:
What are examples of negligence in a rental car accident?
Distracted, drunk, aggressive, or otherwise reckless actions that result in harm are among the many examples of negligence in a rental car accident.
How much does a rental car accident attorney cost?
The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia works on a contingency-fee basis. There are no legal fees until they win your case.
How soon must I file a rental car accident lawsuit?
Two years. Failure to file your lawsuit within the Pennsylvania statute of limitations may result in the dismissal of your case.
Is wrongful death a legal option if my loved one dies in a rental car accident?
You may qualify for a wrongful death case, depending upon your relationship with the decedent. A fatal rental car accident can result in sudden death or the loss of a loved one sometime later due to the severity of their injuries.
A rental car accident can leave you with more questions than answers. You do not have to manage your case alone. Contact The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia for a free case consultation as soon as possible.
Philadelphia Rental Car Accident Attorneys
Rental car drivers are often tourists unfamiliar with a city. No matter the reason for rental car use, these drivers are driving a car that is new to them. Different dashboard layouts and unfamiliarity with controls and features can cause drivers to lose control quickly.
Some drivers may use a rental car to push their driving limits — something they would not do with their own vehicle. This, too, can have devastating results for other Philadelphia road users.
A rental car accident causes victims many issues that other car accidents do not. Sorting through insurance policy language, determining fault, and pursuing compensation is challenging.
Protect your best interests against unhelpful insurance companies by securing the services of The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia without delay. Call now for a free case consultation: (800) 969-4400 and say no to any initial settlement offer.
A rental car accident attorney from The Cochran Firm will have your back from start to finish of your civil case. Focus more on your recovery and less on the details of your case by hiring a member of our team today.