Handling a car accident claim is almost always a hassle, but it can be much worse when one of the involved vehicles is a rental car. Figuring out insurance coverage in these cases can be complicated.
If you suffered injuries in a rental car accident in Tucson, contact Phillips Law Group. Our attorneys have been representing victims of car accidents in the area for more than three decades. We will use our knowledge and expertise to manage your accident claim efficiently and ensure you receive just compensation.
Fault-Based System for Accident Claims
In Arizona, the insurance company for the driver at fault in an accident is responsible for paying the losses of any other involved parties. When the police attend the accident, the police report may provide information about who was at fault. The insurance companies for the involved parties typically allocate responsibility to the involved drivers.
The allocation of fault between the parties impacts the compensation an injured driver can receive. According to Arizona Revised Statutes §12-2505, when someone’s actions contributed to their injuries, any compensation they collect for their losses must be reduced by their degree of fault. For example, a driver who suffered $50,000 in losses but was 10 percent responsible for the accident can collect only $45,000.
A Tucson attorney representing an injured person can be involved in the insurance company negotiations for a rental car accident claim. Doing so ensures that other parties do not shift excessive responsibility onto the injured claimant.
Pursuing a Claim for Compensation
The law requires everyone driving in Arizona to have liability insurance in case of an accident. The insurance must provide coverage for bodily injuries to others and property damage.
When an accident occurs and one of the involved drivers is operating a rental car, claims for compensation can become complex. Determining which insurance company is liable is sometimes challenging.
Rental Car Driver Caused Your Injuries
Drivers hiring rental cars must have insurance according to the rental contract. Rental car agencies offer collision damage waivers (CDW) that a driver can purchase for the period they are renting the car. Many drivers opt not to purchase this coverage, but instead rely on the coverage they bought for their personal vehicle or coverage provided by the credit card that they used to pay for the rental.
When you are injured in a crash caused by a rental car driver, determining the insurance company responsible for compensating you is not always straightforward. An experienced accident attorney in Tucson understands the ways the various coverages intersect, and can navigate the process more easily than you could working without legal representation.
You Were Driving a Rental Car
When you were driving a rental car when another driver caused an accident that injured you, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for paying compensation. However, your personal health insurance may cover your injuries subject to a claim against the at fault driver’s insurance.
Damage to the vehicle will be the responsibility of the other driver. However, if you were found to be partially at fault for the crash, the rental car company may pursue you for a portion of the damage to the vehicle. A Tucson area attorney at Phillips Law Group can work with the rental car company and the at fault driver’s insurer to minimize any liability that might fall on you.
Work With a Tucson Attorney After a Rental Car Accident
Obtaining compensation when you have been injured in a crash involving a rental car can be challenging. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group can help.
Reach out to schedule a free consultation if you were hurt in a rental car accident in Tucson. We will review your situation, explain your legal options, and help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries.
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