If you are in a car accident with a rental car, you need to know your rights to seek compensation for your losses. Understanding how Utah’s no-fault state laws apply in your situation is a critical component of this process.
At Siegfried & Jensen, our rental car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City provides you with the resources you need to resolve the challenges you are facing. Set up a free consultation to speak to our Salt Lake City car accident lawyer about your options and put our decades of combined experience to work.
Potential Causes of a Rental Car Accident in Salt Lake City
One of the most important factors to consider in these situations is that you must demonstrate that the other driver is at fault. Rental cars can be at a higher risk of accidents because the driver may not be familiar with the vehicle. Some of the most common reasons for rental car accidents in Salt Lake City include:
- Distracted driving from texting, using navigational systems, or intense conversations in the vehicle
- Intoxicated driving, from the use of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigued driving, especially for late-night or very early morning accidents
- Vehicle breakdowns and mechanical failures due to poorly maintained vehicles
- Reckless driving, including speeding, illegal lane changes, or aggressive following
If you are confident that your accident and injuries are the result of the rental car driver’s negligence, you can seek compensation for your losses. By working with a lawyer, you will know how to demonstrate fault through documenting evidence. Our Salt Lake City personal injury lawyers will pursue full and fair compensation for you under the fullest level allowed under the law.
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Salt Lake City, call (801) 266-0999
Utah is a No-Fault State – But Fault Still Matters
Utah is a no-fault state, which means that after an accident, your insurance covers your losses up to the coverage limit, no matter who caused the accident. That means if a person driving a rental car strikes you, your personal injury will still cover the damage and medical losses you have up to the policy limit. Under the law, drivers must carry at least $3,000 in Personal Injury Insurance (PIP) insurance.
In a serious accident, that may not be enough to cover all of the losses you have. In that case, you have to meet the state’s required threshold for seeking additional damages. To do that, one of the following must apply: You have suffered at least $3000 in medical expenses resulting from the collision with the rental vehicle, permanent disability, permanent impairment, bodily dismemberment, or permanent disfigurement.
If one or more of these aspects apply to your case, you can then seek additional compensation against the driver at fault. This is done by seeking compensation against the rental insurance policy or filing a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible. Note that you must be able to show proof of these losses exceeding the value of PIP to file outside of the no-fault claim. Siegfried & Jensen can help you.
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Factors That Make Rental Car Accidents More Challenging
There are numerous reasons why filing a claim against a rental car driver who is at fault could be more complex than a standard collision. If you are in a serious accident with significant injuries and losses, you may not expect any complications through this process. Yet, as attorneys, we can tell you that the complexities are often numerous:
- The rental driver could be at fault only: In some situations, just the driver of the car is at fault. This is common in cases where the driver is intoxicated, distracted, or fatigued. Filing a claim against someone who is out of state could prove more challenging.
- The rental company may be responsible: It is not uncommon for the rental car company that owns the vehicle to be at fault. This could happen in situations where the vehicle is in poor mechanical condition or has been rented to a high-risk driver.
- Third-party insurance plans: Some rental car companies have additional insurance policies that renters can purchase to cover accidents. Some travelers have separate policies through their credit card companies or others for rental vehicle coverage. You need to know who is to blame.
By working with our lawyer, you will learn all parties at fault in your case and how to hold them accountable for the losses you have incurred. We work aggressively to pursue fair compensation for you, and to do that, we will navigate all aspects of your case with precision, accuracy, and attention to detail. You are suffering due to another person’s negligence, and we will hold them accountable.
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Determining the Value of Your Car Rental Accident Claim
With the help of our rental car accident attorneys in Salt Lake City, you will learn what all of your losses are in your accident. We consider a variety of factors involved, including immediate losses, long-term consequences, and both your mental and physical health. In our experience, you must have evidence to back up and document all of the claims you make, including for losses such as:
- Medical bills from the accident and injury rehabilitation
- Lost wages if you are out of work due to your injuries
- Property damage to your car or other assets, or lost in the accident
- Loss of consortium for damage to your relationship
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional trauma and mental health pain
- Pain and suffering
The value of your case is directly dependent on how well your attorneys can prove your losses. Expect our decades of experience to work on your behalf. Turn to our team now for fast, reliable legal guidance to fully investigate your claim.
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Schedule a Free Consultation With a Rental Car Accident Attorney in Salt Lake City
Siegfried & Jensen is a trusted, experienced, and proven rental car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City. With a strong local reputation for providing aggressive legal representation for our clients while ensuring compassionate support, we are here to help you through this. Call us now for a free consultation.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form