Who is responsible if I crash a rental car?

People may rent a car for various reasons, such as when their car has mechanical problems or when they are on vacation. However, being involved in a car accident can be stressful, especially if the car involved is not yours. In such cases, it’s imperative to understand that dealing with an accident in a rental car is not the same as handling one in your vehicle. That said, knowing the necessary steps to take following this type of accident is crucial. Continue reading to discover who may be liable for a rental car accident and learn how an adept Morris County Car Accident Attorney can help you. 

Can I take legal action against a rental car company?

Following a rental car accident, you may wonder whether you can file a claim against the rental company. In most cases, motorists who rented a vehicle cannot file a claim against the rental company for their damages if the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence. This is because of the Graves Amendment signed into law in 2005 which bars vicarious liability claims against car rental companies. This is of course unless it can be proven that the rental company’s negligence contributed to their customer’s injuries. For instance, if you were injured in a rental car accident due to a lack of maintenance or a mechanical issue, the rental company can be held liable as they are responsible for regular servicing and inspecting the vehicles they rent to their customers. Therefore, if a rental car accident is caused by a lack of maintenance, you may be able to file a claim against the rental company to recover monetary compensation for your losses stemming from the accident.

If another motorist was at fault for the accident, you can file a claim against that driver to recover financial compensation for your damages. If you were partially at fault for an accident you can still recover damages as New Jersey is a comparative negligence state.

Furthermore, it is critical to note that you can obtain supplemental insurance coverage when renting a car. Although it will cost you more money, it is often worth it in the event of an accident. For example, you can obtain collision damage insurance which covers repair costs if the rental car is damaged while in your possession. Additionally, liability insurance will protect you if you were at fault for a collision and another party takes legal action against you for their damages. Depending on the rental company, the coverage amount is usually $1 million.

If you have been injured in a rental car accident, you need a determined Morris County car accident attorney on your side. Understanding who may be liable for this type of auto accident is vital. With years of experience, you can trust our firm to help you navigate the intricacies of this legal process. Our firm is committed to helping our clients seek reasonable compensation for their damages.