Were you injured by a driver operating a rental car? Or, were you driving a rental car when you were struck and injured by another driver? Collisions involving rented vehicles often involve complicated liability issues, which can be a lot to deal with on top of the physical and emotional impact you’re already trying to manage. However, you’re not alone.
Let a Concord car accident lawyer help. At DeMayo Law Offices, we have helped over 125,000 people since opening our doors in 1992. With more than 250 years of combined experience, our attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in compensation.
We understand that the aftermath of being hit by or in a rental car can be confusing and stressful, but you don’t have to go through it alone—we’re here for you as your rental car accident lawyer in Concord. You can pour your energy into healing while we focus on protecting your rights.
North Carolina’s Fault-Based Insurance System
North Carolina is an “at-fault” state, meaning the driver who causes the accident is responsible for paying for the damages. Typically, compensation comes from the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, but when a rental car is involved, there are additional details to consider.
Drivers renting a vehicle usually have several overlapping sources of coverage:
- Their personal auto insurance
- Insurance coverage that is offered through the rental company
- A credit card policy if the rental was booked with a qualifying card
- Liability coverage purchased at the counter
Understanding how these policies interact is a must when determining where compensation may come from after a crash. This can involve personal auto insurance, the rental company’s coverage, credit card benefits, or third-party liability insurance.
Trying to figure this all out on your own can seem impossible, but the good news is that you don’t have to handle it alone. Instead, let a Concord personal injury lawyer clarify your options, identify the responsible parties, and guide you through the claims process.
For a free legal consultation with a rental accident lawyer serving Concord, call (877) 333-1000
Who Is Liable in a Rental Car Accident?
A major focus after any car crash is wondering who was at fault for the incident. In North Carolina, liability is determined by negligence—if someone failed to use reasonable care and that failure caused the accident, they may be considered negligent and, therefore, liable.
However, North Carolina follows a very strict rule called contributory negligence. Under this doctrine, if someone is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they might be barred from recovering damages altogether. This is a very harsh fault standard.
Even so, it applies regardless of whether the car involved is a rental or personally owned. Due to these strict rules, cases involving rental vehicles can quickly become complicated. That’s why it’s important to contact rental car accident lawyers in Concord as soon as possible.
Concord Rental Accident Lawyer Near Me (877) 333-1000
Insurance Coverage After a Rental Car Crash
Multiple insurance policies may come into play in the aftermath of a rental car collision. It all depends on who was driving, how the car was rented, and what coverage was purchased.
A rental car accident attorney in Concord can help you untangle these overlapping policies and determine which coverage applies in a given situation. Here’s what your lawyer will likely have to consider when reviewing the details of your case:
- Personal auto insurance: Many people’s standard auto insurance extends to rental vehicles. This means if someone causes an accident while driving a rental car, their liability coverage typically applies just as if they had been driving their own vehicle.
- Rental car insurance: Rental car companies offer several types of coverage at the counter:
- Loss damage waiver (LDW) or collision damage waiver (CDW): This waives financial responsibility if the rental car is damaged or stolen. It’s not technically insurance, but rather, think of it as more of a contractual agreement.
- Supplemental liability insurance (SLI): This provides liability coverage beyond what is required by the state.
- Personal accident insurance (PAI): This covers medical expenses for the driver and any passengers.
- Personal effects coverage (PEC): This covers stolen personal items from the rental car.
Whether or not a driver purchased these can drastically affect who pays for damages after a crash:
- Credit card insurance: Some credit cards include rental car coverage if the driver uses the card to rent the vehicle and declines the rental company’s collision damage waiver. This typically covers damage to the rental car but not liability to others.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage: If the at-fault driver in a rental car accident does not have sufficient insurance, the injured party may be able to turn to their own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy. In the state of North Carolina, insurers are required to offer this coverage.
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Contact Our Rental Car Accident Law Firm in Concord Today
If you or someone you love was injured in a rental car accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. We know you’re likely feeling stressed and overwhelmed in more than one way, but you don’t have to handle everything on your own.
Instead, reach out to DeMayo Law Offices. We’re Your North Carolina Law Firm™, and our Concord rental car accident attorneys have what it takes to represent you and your case. We believe in People Over Profits™, and our main priority is advocating for your legal rights.
You deserve compensation, and we know how often insurers try to take advantage of people in your situation. Don’t let the insurance company take you for a ride. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you hold the at-fault parties accountable.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
