February 01, 2024
You probably rely on your car every day of your life. If your vehicle sustains damage in a collision, you might have to rent a car. Doing so could be necessary if repairing your vehicle will take a long time.
Who pays for a rental car after a car accident? The answer to that question varies depending on numerous factors.
Who Provides a Rental Car After a Crash?
An insurance company may pay for a rental car after a wreck. Whose insurance pays often depends on who caused the collision.
Perhaps the wreck was your fault. Or, maybe it’s unclear who caused the crash. In these circumstances, your insurance may cover the cost of a rental vehicle.
Check your policy for rental reimbursement coverage or a substitute vehicle clause. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, you may file a claim with your insurance seeking reimbursement for the cost of renting a vehicle while yours undergoes repairs. A substitute vehicle clause offers similar coverage, indicating that a policy may cover the cost of a substitute vehicle (like a rental car) when you don’t have the option of using your primary vehicle.
What if Another Driver Causes a Wreck?
You may file a claim with the insurer of the motorist who caused your wreck if someone else is responsible for the collision. You may seek compensation for the cost of a rental car when doing so.
However, this doesn’t guarantee you will receive the compensation you seek. The insurance company may deny that the at-fault party’s policy offers such coverage. Or, they could argue there isn’t enough evidence to prove that their insured caused the wreck.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer May Help
You should consult a personal injury lawyer after a crash so they can review the circumstances of your case. What does a personal injury lawyer do in these circumstances?
A lawyer may assist you by:
- Explaining your options and helping you understand the legal process
- If necessary, gathering evidence to show that another party caused the wreck
- Coordinating with insurance companies and filing paperwork on your behalf
- Adding up all your other losses for which you may deserve compensation
- Evaluating settlement offers
- Negotiating for a proper settlement if the insurance company’s first offers are too low
A lawyer can also represent you in court. Ideally, you may wish to negotiate for an out-of-court settlement. However, going to trial may be necessary if your losses are significant and an insurance company won’t pay up. This may also be an option if the driver who caused the wreck doesn’t have insurance.
Are Personal Injury Lawyers Worth It?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer will cost money, but having a skilled attorney on your case can significantly increase the settlement or award you receive for your losses. A lawyer can’t guarantee a result when they accept an injury case. They can give a client their opinion on potential outcomes, but they can’t make any promises.
Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee agreement typically states an attorney won’t charge upfront fees for their legal services. Instead, they take their fee as an agreed-upon percentage of the compensation they secure for a client. A client doesn’t have to pay them anything for their legal services unless a client gets money.
If your losses after a wreck aren’t significant, you may still wonder if hiring a lawyer is worth your time. Do you need a lawyer if you’re only seeking compensation for the cost of a rental vehicle and other such losses?
The initial consultation with an attorney is usually free. Because a personal injury lawyer’s pay is based on the compensation their clients receive, they may not take a case if the amount of compensation available to a client is too low. A lawyer will tell you when you don’t need to hire an attorney. Alternatively, they will also tell you if your case is more complex than you think and has the potential for a larger settlement than you thought.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Paying medical bills, renting a car, and corresponding with insurance adjusters are just a few of the tasks you may have on your plate after a collision. Luckily, you don’t have to handle these tasks alone. At Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers, a qualified Indiana car accident lawyer with experience handling cases like yours can offer the peace of mind that comes from knowing a legal professional is handling your case. Call us today at (219) 286-7361 for a free case review.
