If you get into an accident while driving a rental car in Texas, you may be faced with having to pay for repairs to the vehicle yourself if you are unaware of your legal rights and options. If an insurance company denied liability for your claim or you rejected rental car insurance coverage, you may need a car accident attorney in Austin to help you seek fair financial compensation.
No, rental car insurance is not a requirement when you rent a motor vehicle in Texas. Whether or not you should purchase rental insurance depends on factors such as the other coverage options that would be available to you in the event of a car accident. If your personal auto insurance policy or credit card company won’t pay for property damage, rental insurance is a wise purchase.
Understanding who will pay for property damage to a rental car begins with Texas’s fault-based insurance law. In Texas, the driver or person at fault for causing a car accident is responsible for paying for damage (known as being held liable). All drivers in Texas must carry liability insurance to pay for at-fault auto accidents. Multiple parties could potentially be named as defendants in a rental car accident case.
If another driver caused your car accident, such as a drunk or distracted driver, you could file a claim to cover damage caused to the rental car with the at-fault driver’s insurer. The driver must have proof of financial responsibility and carry a minimum of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury insurance, plus $25,000 in property damage insurance.
The rental car company will ask if you wish to purchase insurance when you sign the paperwork. Doing so can protect you from absorbing liability for any damage caused to the vehicle while you are listed as the driver. Collision damage waiver, loss damage waiver, supplemental liability insurance, and personal effects coverage are common types of rental insurance that can cover expenses in the event of an accident.
If the other driver does not have insurance or it is a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to seek coverage from your own insurance provider, instead. However, some insurance companies do not cover rental vehicles. Check with your insurer to understand the coverage exclusions listed on your policy.
Certain credit card companies offer rental car insurance coverage as a perk for cardholders, typically only when they use the card to pay for the rental. Contact your credit card company to determine if this coverage is available and when it will apply.
If a party other than the driver caused your accident, such as the manufacturer of a defective vehicle, this party could be held liable for your medical bills and property damage. If you hire a car accident attorney, he or she can investigate and search for potential third parties to hold liable for a rental car crash.
If you get involved in a Texas rental car accident, it is important not to trust the rental car company or an insurance provider. Neither of these corporations will want what is best for you. Instead, contact an experienced Austin personal injury attorney to represent you during the claims process. The lawyers at FVF Law Firm – Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience.
An attorney can help by investigating the crash, determining fault, collecting evidence of liability, protecting your rights, and pursuing a fair settlement from one or more parties on your behalf. You can trust your lawyer to advocate for your best interest in these unique circumstances, whether you need an Austin wrongful death lawyer, an Austin construction accident lawyer, or an Austin truck accident lawyer.
If you’re involved in a rental car accident, prioritize your safety by checking for injuries and calling emergency services if needed. Next, contact the police to file an accident report, gather information from any other drivers involved, take photos of the scene, and report the accident to the rental car company as well as your insurance provider.
A collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) is an optional insurance offered by rental car companies. It covers damage to the rental vehicle, reducing or eliminating your financial responsibility if you’re in an accident. However, it doesn’t cover liability for injuries to other parties or damage to other vehicles.
Texas does not require you to purchase rental car insurance, but the rental car company is required to have a minimum level of liability insurance on their vehicles. You can choose to rely on your own car insurance or purchase additional rental car coverage if you want extra protection.
While you can handle a rental car accident claim on your own, working with an attorney can be beneficial, especially if there are injuries or complex liability issues involved. An attorney can help gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for fair compensation.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. It’s important to act quickly, as filing within this period is essential to preserving your right to pursue compensation.
You may be able to recover costs such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other accident-related expenses. An attorney can assess the full extent of your damages and help you pursue compensation through all available insurance policies or legal avenues.
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