Whether you’re touring iconic Seattle in the Pacific Northwest or you’re a resident driving a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop, a car accident becomes even more complicated when the damage and injuries occur in a rental car.
You may have barely glanced at the terms of your rental agreement before you signed, but now the fine print of the contract may determine your future outcome for recovery. Handling a rental car accident claim in Seattle requires skilled legal guidance from a Seattle rental car accident lawyer.
Seattle’s traffic volume and congestion can make it difficult for newcomers to navigate. Sometimes a lack of signage, poor roadway designs, or aggressive local drivers result in an accident.
Common accidents involving rental cars in Seattle include the following:
Collisions and other car accidents with rental cars commonly result from distracted drivers, drivers who fail to yield the right of way, unsafe lane changes, improper merging, speeding, intoxication, or aggressive driving.
Choosing whether or not to purchase rental car insurance may feel like a gamble. Many people wonder if it’s really worth the additional fee. In the end, rental car insurance is just one way to recover compensation after an accident, and often these contracts come with many exceptions and limitations.
Rental car contracts are lengthy and detailed. It’s important to carefully review the terms of the contract you signed so you know your rights after an accident. If you elected not to purchase the additional insurance, the best option for compensation is a successful claim against the other driver or another negligent party like a careless road maintenance agency or road planning entity.
Don’t try to take this type of complex claim on alone, especially while you’re trying to recover from your injuries. A Seattle rental car accident attorney can process your claim while you focus on healing.
Accidents in Seattle cause injuries ranging from mild to severe depending on the type of accident, the speed at the time of the accident, and the safety features included in the rental car. Common damages in rental car accidents include the following:
With skilled legal representation, compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering can substantially increase the payout on a claim.
When an accident occurs with a rental car, the claim becomes complex because multiple insurance companies can potentially provide coverage, including the rental car’s in-house insurance, the driver’s personal auto insurance, or the insurance of an at-fault driver or other negligent party. Often, this leads to insurance adjusters pointing to another company’s policy while that insurer points back. It takes diligent attention to detail, persistence, and strong evidence of liability to recover compensation for damages from an at-fault party’s insurance company or portions of coverage from multiple insurers.
Don’t try to take on this battle alone, especially if you’re also dealing with painful injuries and facing a lengthy recovery time. The Seattle rental car accident attorneys at the Fang Law Firm are ready to help with complicated car accident claims after a rental car accident in Seattle. Contact us today.