Seattle Rental Car Accident Attorney
If you rent a car to drive around Seattle, one of the last things you might consider is whether or not you’ll get into a car accident. Unfortunately, accidents happen no matter if you’re driving your own car or a rental. However, if the car involved is a rental, there are some additional things to consider after the accident. A Seattle rental car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and fight for the maximum recovery possible.
After a rental car accident, our team of experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and help you win the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 844-977-1900 for your free case consultation.
Why Do Seattle Rental Car Accidents Happen?
It doesn’t take much for a car accident to happen. Even a minor action like looking away from the road for a split second can lead to a devastating, wrongful death or catastrophic injury. Our Seattle rental car accident lawyers have successfully defended clients who have been injured as a result of:
These are just a few causes of rental car accidents. No matter what caused your wreck, it is important to speak with an experienced Seattle rental car accident attorney as soon as possible in order to expedite your claim to get you the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible.
Rental Car Insurance and Fault in Washington State
Insurance is one of the most common questions and concerns when it comes to driving a rental car. Most of the time, when using a rental car, people will opt out of purchasing additional insurance coverage, thinking they will not need it. In fact, many auto policies will cover drivers while driving a rental car. If you do decide to purchase additional rental car insurance, the following might be options available to you for extra coverage:
- Insurance from the rental car company: this is often the most expensive option and can include a variety of coverage options, including liability, collision, and comprehensive.
- Credit card insurance: some credit cards offer rental car insurance as a benefit. This insurance is usually secondary, which means that it will only pay out if your own auto insurance doesn’t cover the cost of a claim. Additionally, the rental car will have to be paid for with the credit card offering the coverage.
- Collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW): covers the cost of damages to the rental car in the event of an accident.
- Personal accident insurance: covers medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers if an accident occurs while driving the rental car.
- Liability insurance: this insurance protects you from being sued if you are responsible for an accident that injures someone or damages their property while you’re driving their accident.
Even though rental car insurance is not required, not purchasing additional rental car insurance can be a costly mistake. When in a fault state, like Washington, you may be held financially responsible for any damages you are liable for in a rental car accident. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will typically pay for these damages up to the limits of the driver’s policy. However, if the damages exceed the policy limits, the at-fault driver may be personally responsible for paying the excess amount.
Even though insurance can pay for damages, insurance companies are known to delay payments and offer sub-par settlements. Sometimes, insurance companies will even completely deny a claim, leaving you financially responsible for the accident. When you hire a Seattle rental car accident lawyer from Lerner and Rowe, we will fight the insurance company to see you receive the settlement you deserve.
Along with seeing that you obtain the best possible payout from the insurance company, a Seattle rental car accident attorney will also assist you with the following:
- Investigating the accident: a personal injury attorney will know how to investigate evidence related to a rental car accident and gather documentation to support your claim. This includes witness testimonials, obtaining police reports, and inspecting the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident.
- File a lawsuit: your personal injury attorney may file a lawsuit on your behalf if you are unable to reach a settlement with the insurance company. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, but an experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal system.
- Represent you in court: if a settlement cannot be reached and your case goes to trial, your personal injury attorney will represent you in court and fight for your rights. They will present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and make closing arguments in your favor.
Contact a Seattle Rental Car Accident Attorney
Contact a Seattle rental car accident attorney as soon as possible if you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident involving a rented car. With our team of skilled lawyers and legal staff, you can count on receiving excellent service and a committed lawyer who is solely focused on assisting you. Our legal team and personal injury lawyers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you’re looking for experienced lawyers that have a proven record for winning settlements on behalf of clients while treating them with compassion as they recover from injuries, then Lerner and Rowe is the way to go. You can reach us by phone at 844-977-1900, live chat LiveChat, or our secure online form.