Our auto accident lawyers in St. Louis are prepared to answer your questions about liability and help you through the process of filing a rental car accident claim.
While the pandemic has affected how many people rent cars, millions of people in the U.S. still drive rental vehicles. This means there’s a chance of being involved in an accident involving a rental car.
If you have been involved in a car accident in St. Louis with a person driving a rental car, or while you were driving one, who covers the cost of your damages? Who is liable for the accident?
Our auto accident lawyers in St. Louis are prepared to answer your questions about liability and help you through the process of filing a car accident claim. We offer a free consultation and charge you nothing upfront.
What Are Your Options for Recovering Compensation?
In Missouri, you do not need rental car insurance. The rental car company provides the minimum state-required liability insurance coverage as part of its primary contract. The company provides $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $10,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident. If your existing insurance policy includes other types of coverage, such as collision or comprehensive, the additional protection will extend to your rental car.
Missouri is a no-fault state; however, determining liability for the accident is critical in deciding who pays for the damages. Some important questions to ask include:
- Who was driving the rental car?
- Is the driver from another state?
- Can the rental car company be held liable?
Who is liable for your damages is calculated the same way in an accident with a rental car as in any other car accident. However, one difference is that the rental agency must inspect the vehicle thoroughly before renting it to customers. They are directly responsible for any injuries due to a known defect or a defect that the inspection should have revealed.
Rental agencies are generally not responsible for accidents resulting from a customer’s fault or negligence. However, suppose the rental agency has knowingly rented a vehicle to a reckless or unfit person for driving a car. In that case, the agency may be held liable for an accident caused by the driver of the rental vehicle.
What to Do if You Are In a Car Accident
If you get into an accident while driving a rental car, report the accident to the police and the car rental company. Do not admit liability and do not offer to pay or make a settlement without the consent of the car rental company. Call your own insurance company if there could be a claim under your insurance policy.
Need Help Filing a Rental Car Accident Claim?
Liability for an accident involving a rented vehicle may be complex. Victims of these crashes benefit from an experienced attorney’s help. Accident victims who seek legal representation recover more compensation than those who go it alone.
We have 25 years of experience exclusively helping car accident victims. We fight to win you the compensation you deserve. The consultation is free, and you don’t pay unless we get you money!
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!
Free Consultation (314) 361-4242