Rental Car Accidents in Westlake Village

Renting a car is convenient, but when accidents happen, the situation can become confusing. Rental car accidents in Westlake Village often result in a complex situation involving multiple insurance policies. Negotiations and court proceedings can be overwhelming if you are not a lawyer.

At Block LLP, our seasoned car accident attorneys have experience handling these challenging cases. If you were in a rental car crash, we could help protect your rights.

Common Causes of Rental Car Accidents

Negligent acts such as speeding, distracted driving, or failing to yield often lead to rental car wrecks and fatalities in Westlake Village. Victims may suffer serious injuries requiring long‑term care.

Rental companies are responsible for maintaining their vehicles. Poor maintenance can contribute to accidents, and in such cases, victims may have strong claims against the rental company itself.

Why Are Rental Car Collisions Complicated?

When an accident involves a rental car, determining liability and securing compensation can be significantly more complicated than in a standard car crash. This confusion often results from the interplay between multiple insurance policies and contractual agreements, but your attorney could handle these complex issues.

The Driver’s Personal Insurance

In many cases, the driver’s personal auto insurance policy, specifically their collision and liability coverage, will act as the primary coverage for a rental vehicle in Westlake Village. This is especially true if the policy includes comprehensive coverage that extends to non-owned vehicles. However, policy limits and deductibles still apply.

The Rental Company’s Insurance

Rental agreements often include basic liability coverage that meets the state’s minimum requirements. However, this coverage is frequently minimal and may only cover damages above what the driver’s personal insurance pays. Rental companies also offer various optional coverages, such as Loss Damage Waivers or Collision Damage Waivers, which waive the renter’s financial responsibility for damage to the rental car itself but typically do not cover third-party liability claims involving injuries or property damage to others.

Credit Card Coverage

Some credit cards offer secondary rental car insurance coverage, which can help cover the deductible or costs not paid by the driver’s primary insurance. This typically covers only damage to the rental car, not liability.

Determining Fault

The question of who was at fault for the crash remains paramount. Even with multiple layers of insurance, establishing another party’s negligence is necessary to pursue a successful claim. Your accident lawyer could help determine liability.

The Challenges Victims of Rental Car Crashes Face

Insurance companies for the driver, the rental agency, and sometimes the credit card company may each attempt to defer responsibility to the other. This jurisdictional confusion may lead to lengthy exchanges, resulting in significant delays in claim resolution.

Disputes can also arise over the extent to which each insurance policy must cover the damages. The rental contract itself can add another layer of difficulty that insurers leverage to minimize payouts. Given the intricate nature of Westlake Village crashes involving a rented vehicle, retaining experienced legal counsel is often essential.

An attorney from our firm could help with complicated insurance issues by analyzing the driver’s policy, the rental agreement, and any applicable third-party coverage to determine which policy is primary, secondary, or tertiary, thereby clarifying the coverage hierarchy. We could also help establish negligence by investigating the accident, collecting evidence, and working with experts to clearly establish the fault of the rental car driver or another party involved.

We could help you pursue full compensation by negotiating with all relevant insurance carriers to ensure that you receive proper compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and property damage. Lastly, our lawyers could prevent the delays and disputes often initiated by the defending parties.

Contact a Westlake Village Lawyer After Suffering an Injury in a Rental Car Crash

Rental car accidents in Westlake Village can be serious. If you suffered an injury in a crash that involved a rented vehicle, our attorneys at Block LLP are here to help. Call today to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable lawyer.