Whether their own vehicle is in the shop or they are on vacation and want to drive a vehicle to get them to each stop along their itinerary, renting a car is a popular alternative to using rideshare platforms or public transportation. Renting a car comes with a lot of responsibility to bring the car back in good condition. However, when an accident occurs, you may be wondering what to do next.
Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis are award-winning Orlando car accident attorneys helping clients in Orlando, Florida. If you have been involved in a rental car accident in Florida, you may be wondering who is responsible.
Steps to Take After a Florida Rental Car Accident
Being in a car accident is a stress-inducing and frightening event for the drivers and passengers involved. Matters are often made even more stressful when you are driving a rental car at the time of the accident. While you may be feeling helpless and unsure of what will happen now that your rental car has been damaged in an accident, there are important steps that you should take to protect your safety and overall well-being:
- Contact emergency services
- Check yourself and any passengers for serious injuries that may require immediate medical assistance
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene, any damage to the vehicle, and visible injuries
- Get witness testimonies and contact information
- Get the name, contact information, and insurance information of the driver who hit you
It is imperative that you contact a trusted car accident lawyer as soon as possible to help you begin the claims process after a rental car accident.
Who Is Liable After a Rental Car Accident in Florida?
When you are involved in a car accident while driving a rental car, you may immediately assume the worst. While it is your responsibility to bring the vehicle back in good condition, if a negligent party causes the accident, you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you suffered as a result. If you are not liable for the accident, you may still owe money to the rental car company, but it is your legal right to pursue damages from the following sources:
- You may file a claim with the insurance company for the rental car
- You may file a claim with your own insurance provider
- You may pursue compensation by filing a claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault party
When filing a claim, you may be eligible to collect the following damages:
- Medical Expenses: If you have suffered injuries as a result of the accident, you may be owed compensation for any applicable medical bills you have incurred as a result.
- Lost Wages: You should be compensated for any lost present or future pay as a result of being unable to work after being injured in a rental car accident.
- Pain and Suffering: You may be eligible to pursue compensation for the physical, psychological, and emotional pain and suffering you have had to endure at the expense of another party’s negligent acts that led to the accident.
Following a rental car accident, it can be difficult to identify the applicable insurance providers that may require notice. However, with the help of an experienced car accident lawyer, you can ensure that you file a claim with the proper sources in order to get the fair compensation you deserve.
Contact a Rental Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been involved in a rental car accident, you may be feeling helpless as you try to understand what your next steps should be. To get help building a strong claim to pursue the compensation you deserve, contact a Florida car rental accident lawyer today.
The award-winning legal team at Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis is dedicated to helping clients by providing them with the trusted representation they deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us here or call (407) 843-7060.