Rental Car Accidents in San Luis Obispo County

When someone rents a car, it’s usually because they are tourists from out of the area. This means that they are driving an unfamiliar vehicle on unfamiliar roads. Predictably, this can lead to an accident.  In any car accident case, the main question is whether the other driver was at-fault in causing the accident that resulted in your injuries. While this is no different in cases that involve rental cars, determining who is responsible for paying your claim can be more complicated than in other cases. If you’ve been involved in a car accident involving a rental car, an experienced San Luis Obispo rental car accident lawyer can help you navigate the claim process so that you can get the compensation you need. 

The Role of Insurance in Rental Car Accidents

In every car accident case, the reality is that you are typically seeking compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Most cases settle out of court, but this doesn’t mean that it’s easy - the insurance company will require that you prove your claim. They may also dispute that their driver was liable, argue that your injuries are less severe than you claim, or that you received unnecessary medical treatment. These same issues apply in rental car accident cases, but the question of insurance coverage becomes more complicated. 

While rental car companies will offer drivers the option to purchase insurance, drivers are not obligated to buy the insurance offered. Also, the insurance provided by the rental company may only cover damage to the rental vehicle. As a result, you will likely have to pursue the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance company. 

Some of the Issues You May Encounter

Because of the confusion surrounding insurance coverage, here are some of the challenges you may encounter in a rental car accident case: 

• The rental company is not required to ask whether the driver has insurance. As a result, the driver may be uninsured if they don’t have a personal auto insurance policy. This means that you may have to pursue your insurance claim as an uninsured motorist claim, which presents its own challenges. 
• If the driver did purchase insurance from the rental company, they might not understand what the policy covers and its limitations. They simply think they are covered, and therefore may neglect to contact their own insurance company. For this reason, you should be sure to get the other driver’s personal insurance information in addition to any rental insurance information so that you can contact them on your own. 
• The credit card the driver used to rent the car may include rental car insurance coverage. Unfortunately, many drivers are unaware that their credit card includes this benefit.   

Contact San Luis Obispo Rental Car Accident Lawyer Earl E. Conaway, III for Help Today

If you’ve been injured in a car accident involving a rental car, you need someone who knows how to navigate these issues on your side. San Luis Obispo rental car accident lawyer Earl E Conaway, III can help you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. To schedule a free consultation, contact us at 805-546-8797 to discuss your case today. We serve clients throughout San Luis Obispo County, including Morro Bay and Atascadero.