Recovering compensation after a traffic crash does not work quite the same way when it involves a rental car as it would if you were driving your own vehicle. Rental car insurance coverage is different, and more than one auto insurance policy may apply.
Things can become complicated, and you may be at risk of dealing with unpaid medical expenses and other losses. To best protect your rights and maximize your compensation, you need an experienced Boston rental car accident lawyer.
The Boston car accident lawyer team of DiBella Law Offices P.C. have been protecting the rights of accident victims for years. We understand the complex nature of rental car accidents and dealing with multiple insurers. Let us use our decades of experience so you can focus on healing.
How Does Insurance Work for Rental Cars?
The insurance coverage available after an accident in a rental car can differ significantly from coverage when using your personal vehicle. Our Boston personal injury lawyers have extensive experience navigating these potential coverage layers.
When a vehicle involved in a crash is a rental car, more than one insurance policy may apply.
Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means you file a claim with your own insurance company, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. In cases involving more severe injuries and higher damages, there may be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
Possibilities for insurance coverage include the following:
Rental Company Coverage
Most rental agencies provide minimum liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries to other parties when you are at fault. However, this does not cover loss or damage to the rental car itself.
For this, you may need to purchase their loss/damage waiver. Some personal insurance policies will also extend coverage for rental car physical damages.
Personal Insurance Coverage
Depending on your personal policies, you may have coverage for rental car accidents. Our Boston rental car accident attorneys understand the intricacies of different insurance policies to maximize access to all applicable coverage.
Determining the priority of coverage can affect your overall claim value.
Credit Card Rental Car Insurance Coverage
Some credit card companies offer rental car insurance to cover damage to the rental when you use their card to rent a vehicle. Credit card insurance does not usually include liability, and it is secondary coverage that only picks up where your primary coverage leaves off.
If the rental was booked with an eligible credit card, its secondary coverage activates once primary coverages are exhausted. We help clients tap into all potential sources of funds.
Give us a call today to discover how we can assist you.
We Handle the Insurance Adjusters
Dealing with multiple insurers and other parties who may be held liable can be complicated. To that end, handling insurer contact and paperwork becomes our priority to avoid denials or delays in your personal injury claim.
Working with an experienced rental car accident lawyer in Boston can help you avoid obstacles and pitfalls that may reduce your compensation.
Common Challenges in a Rental Car Accident Claim In Boston
Here are some common challenges that may arise when seeking compensation in a rental car accident claim in Boston:
- Untangling insurance coverage – Rental car claims often involve multiple applicable policies that must be sorted out. This can lead to delays in the recovery of your compensation.
- Establishing liability – Without clear liability, getting insurers to pay out can be difficult. There can be finger-pointing and coverage denials. Rental crashes sometimes involve unknown third parties, too. Our team can gather evidence like police reports, traffic cam videos, and evidence from the accident scene to bolster your claim.
- Proving medical expenses – Insurers may dispute bills or claim some treatments weren’t necessary. Thorough documentation is key, and your rental car accident lawyer in Boston can help you gather medical records to prove the severity and cause of your injuries and losses.
- Calculating lost wages – Contesting the amount of wages lost during time away from work is common for insurers. Supporting documentation can be gathered and submitted as proof by your lawyer.
- Assessing long-term impacts – Insurers don’t always acknowledge permanent effects on quality of life or livelihood. Your auto accident attorney can present a compelling case that details the impact that the crash had on your life.
- Low settlement offers – Insurers almost always lowball initial settlement offers. An experienced car accident attorney can negotiate higher values reflecting all accident impacts.
If you were injured in a rental car accident, it is important to seek the help of experienced attorneys who can navigate the complexities of determining liability and negotiating with insurance companies.
Our team of Boston rental car accident attorneys understands the ins and outs of these types of cases and can review your situation to determine who is at fault. Whether it was another driver, a faulty vehicle, or improper road maintenance that caused the accident, our lawyers will work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf.
We've offered crucial support and guidance to individuals who have suffered injuries, ensuring their financial and emotional well-being.
What Damages May Be Available in a Rental Car Accident Claim?
Depending on the circumstances of your particular case, these are some of the key types of damages that may be available in a rental car accident insurance claim in Boston:
- Medical expenses – This includes costs for emergency response, hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, and ongoing medical care.
- Lost wages – If the injuries prevented working, financial compensation can cover salary/income during recovery time.
- Property damage – Covers repairs to the rental vehicle itself as well as any personal property that was damaged.
- Pain and suffering – Compensates the physical/emotional anguish from injuries and their long-term impacts.
- Permanent disability/disfigurement – If the accident results in impairment or scarring, coverage for reduced quality of life.
- Wrongful death (if applicable) – Funeral costs and lost financial support for families of victims.
- Loss of consortium (for marriages) – Compensates a spouse for the injured partner’s loss of support/services.
A skilled rental car accident attorney can help pursue the full scope of damages you are entitled to under Massachusetts law.
Get in touch with us today to get a free consultation.
How Much Will a Rental Car Accident Lawyer in Boston Cost?
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means attorneys only get paid if they achieve a financial recovery for the client. This structure protects clients from owing legal bills if their case is unsuccessful.
There is no financial risk to learn more, and there are no hidden fees. We can explain the contingency fees in your free consultation.
Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm in Boston for a Free Case Evaluation
By contacting our Boston personal injury attorneys at DiBella Law Offices P.C., you can get started on seeking the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. We understand how difficult it can be to deal with the aftermath of a car accident, especially when you are facing physical, emotional, and financial challenges.
Let us take on the legal burdens so that you can focus on your recovery and getting back to normal life. Trust our experienced attorneys to fight for your rights and help secure the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.
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