Rental Car Accidents & Liability Claims
Las Vegas, Nevada
Accident in a rental car
If you got in an accident in a rental car or with a rental car, were hospitalized, and lost the ability to work, call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.
We provide free consultations.
We serve clients in Las Vegas and other Nevada cities.
We also represent tourists injured while vacationing in Las Vegas or Nevada.
Why do accidents involving rental cars happen?
While there could be many reasons behind any accident in a rental car, driver negligence causes the accidents most of the time. It is especially true when the rental car driver is in an unfamiliar city and doesn't know the traffic volume or local driving laws.
Other reasons for the rental car accidents could include:
- Impaired driving (driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both)
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Excessive speed
- Failure to adjust to conditions
- Hazards on roadway
- Road constructions
Las Vegas has a high percentage of rental car accidents involving exotic or luxury cars where the driver is a tourist who is unfamiliar with a luxury vehicle.
Liability after the accident in a rental car in Las Vegas
Under Nevada law, the at-fault driver (or their insurance) is financially responsible for all damages. This includes medical bills (past, present, future), lost wages, property damages, pain and suffering.
Sometimes more than one vehicle contributes to an accident in a rental car. It could have been two other cars or a bus, truck, motorcycle. You can file a claim against any defendants responsible for the crash, whatever the combination is.
If you were partially at fault
Nevada uses the rule of modified comparative negligence. It means that if you were partially at fault, you could collect compensation from all other at-fault parties - as long as you are less than 51% responsible for the accident.
Can I sue a rental company?
You can, but to win the lawsuit, you would have to prove that the rental company:
- Knew about the problem with a vehicle (e.g., the problem with tires),
- Did nothing about it, and
- Rented the car out to the next driver, who ended up in an accident.
Another scenario is when the at-fault driver of a rented car didn't have a valid driver's license.
You can have a liability claim against the car rental company in both cases.
Can I sue parts or vehicle manufacturers?
In some cases, yes. The car part maker or the car manufacturer may be held liable for an accident if they knowingly allowed the sale of a dangerous part or vehicle.
Can I sue a road construction company?
Sometimes, you can. Suppose the construction company is negligent in maintaining a safe construction zone. That negligence leads to your accident in a rental car. In that case, the company could be liable for damages.
What to do if you got in an accident in a rental car
Overall, if you get in an accident in a rental car, do the same as you would do in any car accident.
First, seek medical help. Can you move? Are the passengers OK?
Second, when possible, gather all relevant information about the accident:
- Location
- Date and time
- Driver's and driver's car information (including insurance information)
- Police report
Third, take as many videos/photos with your mobile phone from different angles as you can of the injured victims, damaged cars, and the surrounding area. Get eyewitness information when you can.
Fourth, don't spend too much time talking to anyone; don't get angry, but most importantly, don't apologize! This can be used against you later.
Fifth, report an accident to a rental company.
Finally, speak with an attorney who has experience handling an accident in a rental car liability claim. We invite you to contact us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.
What settlement to expect?
Many clients ask us what settlement they can expect after the accident. The injury compensation is correlated to the dollar amount of medical bills (past, present, future). Also, the dollar amount of wages you lost due to your inability to work after the accident plays an important role. In addition, the accident settlement amount depends on the maximum accident coverage the at-fault driver selected when they purchased a motor vehicle accident liability insurance.
If you want to know what compensation you can receive after your accident in a rental car, call us at 702-432-1000.
Where does settlement money come from?
If the rental car driver was at fault, the settlement money came to the accident liability insurance they selected when renting a vehicle. It could be:
a) Car insurance they purchased from the car rental company.
b) Driver's own car insurance. Rental car drivers can use their own car insurance and waive the rental car company offered insurance.
c) Credit card with rental car insurance. Some credit cards offer free rental car insurance if the drivers pay with their credit card for a rental car.
Each insurance has its own rules with maximum auto accident coverage and could be subject to deductible specified in a policy.
If another vehicle driver was at fault, the claim for damages is filed against that driver's motor vehicle insurance.
Can I file a claim on my own?
It depends. If your accident in a rental car resulted in property damage only, you could file a claim on your own. But, if somebody got injured in an accident, ended up in a hospital, lost the ability to work, you need an experienced attorney to help you get a full and fair settlement. The same is true if you are a passenger or a pedestrian injured in a rental car accident. In some cases, multiple vehicles are involved in an accident, and you need an attorney to help establish fault and to what degree and hold all at-fault parties accountable.
We can help
Since 2010, our law firm has handled thousands of car accident claims. We can help you get money for your medical bills and other damages regardless of if the at-fault driver:
- Purchased accident insurance from the car rental.
- Used their car insurance.
- Paid with a credit card with rental car insurance.
To discuss your accident in a rental, call us at 702-432-1000.
We take all car accident claims on a contingency basis, which means for you - if we cannot get your settlement money, we don't get paid, and you don't owe us anything.
Consultations with us are free.
We represent clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, and Nevada.
Last updated on March 1, 2024.
