Given its proximity to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and the various attractions within its own corporate limits, rental cars are hardly a rare sight around the Tempe area. With so many cars being driven by people unfamiliar with local roads, though, there is unfortunately a better-than-usual chance that someone behind the wheel of a rental car will cause a serious car crash compared to someone driving their own personal vehicle.
Fortunately, you may have multiple avenues for financial recovery in the wake of rental car accidents in Tempe caused by another person’s misconduct, whether you were the one driving the rental car or the one struck by someone else negligently operating one. In both scenarios, assistance from the seasoned car accident attorneys at Phillips Law Group is key to maximizing the compensation you ultimately receive and avoiding common procedural pitfalls along the way.
Making the Most of Available Insurance Coverage
One important thing to understand about rental car wrecks in Tempe is that with almost no exceptions, a company that rents a car to a paying customer is not legally liable for any negligence by that customer which later leads to a traffic accident. The only exceptions would be situations where the act of handing the keys over was itself negligent — for example if someone who came to pick up a reservation was visibly drunk or did not have a valid driver’s license.
Another thing worth noting is that the types and amounts of insurance coverage available to someone injured in a rental car crash can vary dramatically based on what insurance coverage the rental car driver purchased along with their rental, as well as what type of personal auto insurance policy they have. Not all standard policies include coverage for accidents in rental cars as opposed to the driver’s personal vehicle, so it is worth exploring what might be possible in a particular situation with guidance from a knowledgeable auto collision attorney.
What Time Limits Apply to Rental Car Accident Claims?
Support from legal counsel can also be key to proactively pursuing compensation after a Tempe rental car wreck within applicable legal deadlines. In addition to being expected to notify relevant insurance providers within a few days of a crash at most, people injured through the negligence of others in Arizona generally have two years under state law to file civil suit against the person at fault for their injury.
This deadline can be significant even in situations where insurance alone should cover all applicable damages, since once this “statute of limitations” expires, insurance companies have no reason to negotiate a settlement with someone they know has no legal standing to sue. Things can be complicated even further if the person at fault for a car crash leaves the state of Arizona before legal proceedings can begin, which is something that plays into rental car accident claims in Tempe in particular much more often than claims built around other types of collisions.
Talk to a Tempe Attorney About Legal Options Following a Rental Car Accident
All told, filing suit successfully after rental car accidents in Tempe can be a deceptively complex ordeal. Even if it seems obvious to you that another person is to blame for the injuries you have sustained, dealing with multiple insurance providers and potentially the civil court system while also recovering from serious physical trauma can be next to impossible if you try to do it alone.
Fortunately, you have help available to you from experienced legal professionals willing to litigate your case all the way to a civil courtroom if a settlement will not get you the restitution you deserve. Call Phillips Law Group today to speak with one of our team members and discuss your legal options.
Your initial consultation with a member of our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is free and you are under no obligation to work with us afterwards. Reach out today — we look forward to hearing from you soon!
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