Rental cars are convenient for visitors to Washington, D.C., and residents alike. For locals, many clients need a rental car due to issues with their primary car. While this is unfortunate, a rental car can be a convenient option. Taking an Uber or taxi can be expensive. If you only drive occasionally for short distances, that may be the better option. However, if you commute during rush hour, renting a car is usually the better choice. If you rarely drive, using a rideshare platform or taking the Metro may work best. For first-time visitors to Washington, D.C., a rental car can be a great way to explore the city. But what if you get into a car accident in your rental car? A DC rental car accident lawyer can assist.
Liability in rental car accidents is similar to liability in any other car accident. The common law of torts does not care whether you own the vehicle. Recovering compensation for damages caused by someone else’s negligence differs if a rental car is involved. This applies whether you or the other driver are driving a rental. In general, suing someone driving a rental car presents more issues than if someone is driving their own car. We will explore these common dilemmas below. We will also discuss the best methods to choose a DC rental car accident lawyer should the need arise. Navigating through a rental car insurance claim can be tricky. Whether from the DMV or visiting, Gelb & Gelb, P.C. is ready to help if you need legal representation.
There are infinite common causes of rental car accidents in DC. We have touched on these common causes at length. Here, we will discuss the common causes to anticipate and avoid as they relate specifically to rental car accidents in Washington, D.C.
Even as an experienced driver, getting into an unfamiliar car can be challenging. You may be unadjusted to the force of the brakes, how much gas is necessary to accelerate, and the rental car’s turning radius. All three of these bits of knowledge are vital for avoiding car accidents. Rental cars even have different blindspots than a driver is used to. Worse yet, if a driver is used to having a blindspot monitor and relies on the orange hazard light on their side mirrors to alert them of a car in their blindspot does not realize that their rental car does not have that safety feature, that can spell trouble and necessitate a DC rental car accident lawyer.
While not dangerous in low-pressure scenarios where the driver has time and space to adjust to an error, these unfamiliarities will become hazardous and potentially life-threatening under less certain conditions.
This common cause is not exclusive to rental cars. However, most rental car drivers are unfamiliar with Washington, D.C. roads and traffic laws. Even for locals, DC roads can be confusing. Navigation can be confusing when taking multiple slight turns within a short time frame. This unfamiliarity can lead to hesitation, which leads to rear-end accidents and mistakes. This, coupled with an unfamiliarity with the rental car, can spell trouble for a driver on the busy streets of DC. Washington, D.C., almost always has high levels of congestion. Thus, there is less room for error. After a split-second decision navigating, a rental car driver slamming on the brakes can cause a rear-end crash.
Turn restrictions can also lead to DC rental car accidents. Many roads are one-way only. Moreover, some roads, like Canal Rd connecting to Maryland, are one-way at certain times of the day and not others. That confuses many local DC and Maryland residents, so naturally, it will be exceedingly confusing for anyone unfamiliar with the rules posted on the difficult-to-read signs.
If a poorly maintained rental vehicle causes your car accident, you may have a claim against the rental car company. Whether it is Enterprise, Avis, National Car Rental, Hertz, or Budget, they each owe you a duty under the negligence laws. When a breach of that duty is the proximate cause of your injuries, it may entitle you to compensation against the rental car company. But that does not mean you would not also have a case against the adverse driver. Did the adverse driver also behave negligently, or was it entirely out of their control whether the accident occurred?
If we prove that the adverse driver also acted negligently, the driver and the rental car company will be jointly and severally liable. This means we can recover all damages from either party. If we sue the adverse driver, for example, the driver may sue the rental car company for the fair share for which they were negligent. That is a complicated part of the legal process, but fortunately, that is not our problem once our DC rental car accident lawyers get you the compensation you deserve.
When someone rents a car in Washington, DC, it is possible that they have been driving for hours before finally reaching their destination. Or, they could have just picked up a rental car from nearby Dulles Airport or Reagan National. In either event, hours of traveling can fatigue the driver who finally gets in the rental car and drives into bustling downtown Washington.
Navigating insurance claims with rental cars is the most complex part of a rental car accident case. To give yourself the best chance of a successful recovery, speak with a DC rental car accident lawyer to discuss your options. Here, we will give you the two things you need to know about insurance claims with rental cars. First, note that one must have car insurance when in a vehicle. Not everyone has insurance. However, rental car companies ensure renters have coverage when signing a contract. If they fail to do so, then you may have a separate claim against the rental car company. If someone has car insurance on a car at home, they will not be required to purchase rental car insurance with the rental car company.
However, they must buy rental car insurance if they cannot prove they have coverage otherwise. Suppose you have car insurance on your vehicle at home, so you opt not to buy coverage on your rental car. Then, you get into a car accident that is not your fault. What happens when you return the rental car to the company? They will demand that you pay them regardless of whether you caused the accident. They do not care. You may eventually get your money back from your car insurer with the assistance of a DC rental car accident lawyer. However, it will be a far slower process than purchasing insurance directly from the rental car company.
The trusted DC rental car accident lawyers at Gelb & Gelb, P.C. have handled all kinds of car accident cases in Washington, D.C., since our founding in 1954. With 70 years of experience, we have handled thousands of cases and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
If you have questions about the viability of your claim, call (202) 331-7227 today for a free consultation.
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