Fayetteville, AR Attorney for a Car Accident Involving a Rental
Being the victim of a car accident can cause you a serious injury and be the source of a fair amount of stress. If you are involved in a car accident while driving a rental car, this may cause additional problems that you were not prepared to handle. If you or a family member was struck by a negligent driver while driving a rental, contact an experienced Fayetteville car accident attorney.
The Kieklak Law Firm is here to help you pursue a car accident claim against the negligent driver that struck you. Our firm understands the issues that come with a serious car accident, and we are here for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Kieklak Law Firm at (479) 316-0438, or contact us online.
What to Do After a Car Accident in a Rental
If you were involved in a car accident while driving a rental car, you should take the following steps to preserve your personal injury claim and protect yourself from liability for damage to the rental. First, you should summon emergency services to the scene of the accident for yourself or any other drivers that were injured in the accident.
Also, be sure to contact law enforcement to assess the accident and provide you with a police report. While the police report may not be admissible in court, it may be useful to your insurance company.
Next, you should request necessary information from the driver that struck your car. This information should include the name, address, driver’s license, license plate, insurance carrier, and the make and model of their vehicle. Also, you should photograph the damage to the negligent driver’s vehicle and the damage to your vehicle to help prove your claim. You should also take pictures of the scene of the accident.
If any adverse weather conditions may have been an additional cause of the accident, you should document those conditions as well. Additionally, if any people were around to witness the accident, you should ask any of those witnesses whether they are willing to provide you with a statement.
When renting a vehicle, a car rental agency will typically ask you to purchase insurance for the vehicle you are driving or to provide the insurance carrier that you use for your own vehicle. Depending on the type of plan you purchased or your insurance company, the damage to the rental car may or may not be covered under the insurance plan.
Even if the vehicle is covered by insurance, it is possible the insurance company may not fully cover the damage to the vehicle. In this situation, you may have to pursue a lawsuit against the negligent driver that caused the crash.
Be sure to inform your insurance company and the rental car agency about the accident as soon as possible. If you are concerned about interacting with a claim adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company or the insurance company for the rental service, our Fayetteville car crash lawyers are here for you.
When to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Arkansas
If you suffered a serious injury during a car accident while driving a rental car, you are likely are contending with expensive medical bills and various other expenses. If so, you should consider filing a car accident lawsuit to pursue compensation for your injuries. However, do not waste time when preparing to file your lawsuit as it could impact your case.
The statute of limitations is a law that determines how long a plaintiff has to file a certain type of lawsuit. In Arkansas, a personal injury plaintiff has three years to file their lawsuit with the court. If the lawsuit is not filed within three years, the court can bar the plaintiff’s claim and prevent them from seeking compensation in civil court.
While some states have alternative measures that allow a plaintiff to delay their filing deadline, Arkansas does not have any similar provisions. That is why you should not delay when seeking compensation for your injuries. Additionally, if the damage to the rental vehicle was not fully covered, a lawsuit may be your only chance to ensure that you are reimbursed for any expenses involving the rental car.
Work with Our Experienced Fayetteville Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a family member was injured in a car accident while driving a rental, contact an experienced Fayetteville personal injury lawyer. Car accident lawyer Ken Kieklak has a wealth of experience handling a wide range of car accident cases, and he would be honored to work with you. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact the Kieklak Law Firm at (479) 316-0438.