Chicago Rental Car Accident Lawyers

Approximately 2.2 million cars are rented in the United States each year. While many of these drivers travel safely in their rental cars, others find themselves involved in vehicle collisions. If you live in or near Chicago, you may end up in an accident with a rental car driver as well.

Many people find rental cars to be a convenient option when on vacation or traveling on business. While renting a car has many benefits, getting into a rental car accident can lead to complications—issues of ownership and liability set rental car accidents apart from how crashes are typically handled.

If you’ve been in a crash with a rental vehicle, you may already be struggling to recover from serious injuries. Don’t add the burden of trying to navigate your injury claim alone. An experienced Chicago rental car accident attorney who understands the nuances of such cases can provide vital legal assistance that makes the claims process easier.

Why Do Rental Car Accidents Occur?

Rental cars are involved in more accidents, per registered vehicle, than non-rentals, according to a study in the Journal of Advanced Transportation. These crashes also tend to produce more severe injuries than crashes involving non-rented vehicles.

Researchers have identified several factors that make rental cars more likely to be involved in more serious crashes:

• Lack of familiarity with the car. Few people rent a vehicle exactly like the one they drive at home. Even a newer model year or a different version of their regular car can have updated controls or handle differently than their usual car.
• Lack of familiarity with the roads. Rental cars are most commonly used when the driver is away from their familiar city or neighborhood. Lack of familiarity with the roads, intersections, weather, and other conditions can result in a higher rate of accidents. Also, being in new surroundings can lead to greater distractions for drivers.
• Different driver demographics. Rental car drivers tend to have fewer years of driving experience, on average, than drivers of owned vehicles. Lack of driving experience can become especially troublesome if the driver is also new to the vehicle and the surrounding roads.
• Less at stake. Drivers of rental vehicles may feel less attached to the vehicle or less exposed to the costs of any damages. Since the driver feels as if they have less at stake, they may be willing to take more risks.

In studying these four factors, researchers discovered that “poor or risky driving behaviors” were the largest contributors to rental car crashes. Environmental hazards like lighting or weather had little effect.

Put another way, drivers of rental cars are more likely to take risks or succumb to inattention or distraction while on the road. These factors compound the chances of a rental car driver suffering an accident.

Another factor contributing to rental car accidents is that unfamiliarity with the roads or neighborhoods can result in rental car drivers failing to drive the way locals do. Recognizing the risks, a cautious rental car driver might drive more slowly or hesitate before merging or changing lanes. If local traffic isn’t used to these behaviors, a crash may occur – and the driver of the rental car may not be at fault.

Liability in a Rental Car Accident

The last thing you want to do is get into an accident that involves a rental vehicle, as matters can quickly become complicated. The reality, however, is that rental car accidents can and do happen, sometimes through no fault of your own. There are many possible causes of rental car accidents, including reckless driving, driver error, mechanical issues, or driving an unfamiliar vehicle.

A rental car accident raises complex liability issues and questions about which insurance policy should cover vehicle damage, medical bills, and other costs incurred by the injured parties. When you rent a car, the rental company expects you to return the vehicle in its original condition. Even if another driver caused your crash, the company may still hold you responsible for any vehicle damage that occurs during the period specified in the rental agreement.

The rental car company is typically not liable for injuries or damages that result when one of its vehicles is involved in an accident, with a few exceptions. For example, the company may shoulder some blame if a crash occurred due to a lack of proper vehicle maintenance.

Understanding Rental Car Insurance

What makes rental car accidents different from regular crashes between two drivers is the involvement of the rental company. In Chicago car accidents, the at-fault party’s insurance policy in a collision typically pays for the injured individual’s medical expenses and other damages. In rental car accidents, coverage for a crash may come from one or a combination of the following types of insurance:

• The rental car driver’s personal auto insurance policy
• Coverage provided through the rental car company
• Coverage provided by the credit card used to pay for the rental car
• Your auto insurance policy (if you were not driving the rental car)

Having insurance is a must when renting a car in Chicago. Without adequate coverage, you may be held liable for a whole host of damages. If you own a vehicle, you may be able to extend your existing personal auto insurance so that it covers damages that arise from a crash. Make sure to understand your policy and find out whether the coverage applies to a rental car.

Many car rental companies offer the option of purchasing additional insurance coverage when renting a car. Different levels of coverage apply depending on the circumstances and the details of the insurance policy. While purchasing supplemental insurance is not mandatory in Illinois, it can protect you in case of an accident.

• Personal Accident Insurance: This type of insurance covers medical expenses for those injured in a rental car accident. A deductible may apply, and all collision-related costs may not be covered.
• Liability Coverage: Rental car companies are required by law to provide a minimum amount of liability coverage. This additional coverage provides compensation for property damage and medical bills for the other party if you are at fault for an accident.
• Collision Damage Waiver: With this supplemental insurance coverage, the rental car company waives replacement and repair costs if an accident occurs. There are some exceptions, such as if an unauthorized driver was driving the rental vehicle.

In the aftermath of a rental car accident, you may feel overwhelmed navigating the fine print of different types of insurance coverage. The knowledgeable Chicago rental car accident attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you understand the insurance policies that apply to your situation.

Obtaining Compensation in a Chicago Rental Car Accident

A rental car accident is likely to leave you with serious injuries. A Chicago rental car accident lawyer can help you obtain compensation through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Here are some damages you may be eligible to recover:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Disability
• Pain and suffering

Medical bills, lost wages, and disability payments are examples of “economic” damages. These types of damages are typically proven through medical bills, receipts, invoices, pay stubs, and other paperwork. This evidence shows that you paid or lost a specific amount of money. The money you lost as a result of the crash may be repaid by the at-fault party in a lawsuit.

Pain and suffering are examples of “non-economic” damages. These damages don’t usually come with a bill or receipt attached. You may not be able to add up exactly how much your suffering or inability to do hobbies you loved has cost you. Yet these damages are real, and they can be devastating.

To protect your right to compensation, start by saving all the paperwork related to your rental car accident. Keep all these documents together in one place. Your attorney may ask for copies of this paperwork.

How a Rental Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you were injured in a Chicago rental car accident, having an experienced lawyer in your corner can be beneficial in many ways. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we help our clients understand car rental agreements, investigate the specifics of an accident and determine whether to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

With multiple parties involved in rental car accidents, the claims process tends to be more complicated than for a standard collision. Our recommendation is to avoid making statements to insurance companies until you have proper legal representation. A skilled Chicago rental car accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, thereby improving your chances of having a successful claim.

At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients. Our attorneys can help you recover the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages so that you can move forward with your recovery after a crash. Contact us immediately to speak to an experienced Chicago rental car accident lawyer. We offer a free initial consultation.

Types of Car Accident Cases Handled by Our Lawyers

• Bicycle Accidents in Chicago
• Boating Accidents in Chicago
• Car Accident at Work in Chicago
• CTA Bus & Train Accidents
• Distracted Driver Car Accidents in Chicago
• Elderly Drivers and Auto Accidents
• Fatal Car Accidents in Chicago
• Lyft Car Accidents in Chicago
• Motorcycle Accidents in Chicago
• Rental Car Accidents in Chicago
• Road Rage Accidents in Chicago
• Uber Car Accidents in Chicago
• Truck Accidents in Chicago
• Car Accidents Involving Commercial Vehicles
• Road Defect Car Accidents in Chicago
• Uninsured and Underinsured Car Accident Claims
• Multi-Vehicle Auto Accidents in Chicago
• Rear-End Car Accidents in Chicago
• Hit and Run Car Accidents in Chicago