Maison Law helps rental car accident victims in California. Any car accident carries its share of risk and confusion, but this is amplified when it involves an Alamo rental car. But this doesn’t change your options. Our team of California rental car accident lawyers will be there to guide you through the claims process. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Like any car accident, you don’t technically need a lawyer when the incident involves a Dollar rental car. If the accident is minor, you may not need to take legal action at all.
However, every car accident carries the risk of more serious injuries. When you combine significant injuries with questions about liability and other damage, you should think about hiring a lawyer. At Maison Law, we can offer a personalized approach to your case, assisting you in gathering crucial evidence and explaining your legal options. We’ll guide you through every step of the process. Plus, we work on a contingency basis, so there’s no upfront cost for our services.
Can You File an Injury Claim After an Accident With an Alamo Rental Car?
There’s no denying that a car accident is difficult and brings up its share of challenges. But the major legal protection you have as an injury victim–even in cases where the accident involves an Alamo rental car–is being able to file an injury claim after the accident. In the eyes of the law, a car accident with or in an Alamo rental car is viewed the same as any other car accident. Essentially, you have the legal right to seek “damages” from the responsible party.
These damages cover your losses resulting from injuries and other harm caused by the accident. You generally have two options:
- Making an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
Both options follow a similar process once a claim is filed. First, there is an investigation phase to gather evidence and determine fault. Next, the process moves to negotiation, which may culminate in a settlement offer or a jury decision. This can provide financial support for your:
- Medical treatment and bills
- Repairing or replacing the vehicle
- Lost wages or future earnings due to inability to work
- Physical pain and mental suffering
- Loss of companionship or decline in quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses, such as funeral or burial costs
The damages you can recover depend on how serious your losses are and the details of the accident. You must file your claim within two years from the date of the accident, as per California’s statute of limitations. So, once your claim is filed, you have to think about what you need to do to prove your case.
How Do You Prove Your Case For Damages?
Just having the right to file a claim doesn’t mean you automatically get these damages from whoever is responsible. You have to enter the claims process, and a huge part of that is putting together a compelling and effective case. This is an area where our team can be a huge help, leveraging our experience and resources to help you. But there’s also things you can do:
- Get medical care – Get a thorough medical examination as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel seriously injured, and keep detailed records of all medical treatments and expenses. Also, call an ambulance to get treated at the scene.
- Document everything – Save receipts for any expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, car repairs, and rental car fees, and keep a journal detailing how the accident and injuries have affected your daily life and well-being.
- Report the accident – Notify the local police, Alamo and your insurance company about the accident promptly and follow their procedures for filing a claim. Also make sure to be honest and cooperate with any investigations.
- Gather evidence at the scene – Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries; collect contact information from witnesses and other parties involved; and obtain a copy of the police report.
These steps apply across any car accident you’re in, and are even more important when there’s an Alamo rental car involved. Still, you’re getting to the point to where this scenario becomes trickier: establishing who’s responsible for the accident and your damages.
Who’s Liable For Damages in an Alamo Rental Car Accident?
Again, probably the most difficult thing about a car accident involving an Alamo rental car is figuring out liability, or the legal responsibility of paying for damages. It basically means that outside parties are involved, namely Alamo and its insurance company. The more people that are involved, the more complicated a case can be, but it also means that you can potentially recover more in damages.
That said, the first step in your claim is figuring out who’s liable. Luckily, California law makes this fairly straightforward–it relies on negligence. Alamo vehicles are held to the same standards as any other car in terms of causing accidents. If an Alamo car renter causes a crash, both the driver and Alamo might be liable for damages. To prove negligence, you need to establish four elements:
- The driver and Alamo have a duty to keep you and others safe.
- If they fail to do so, it’s considered a “breach of duty.”
- If you’re injured as a result, it means they didn’t fulfill their duty.
- There’s a causal link between your injuries and the breach of duty.
Various parties might be responsible for your injuries:
- Alamo, as a company
- The driver of the car
- People who serviced the vehicle
- The company that made faulty parts
While this narrows things down, liability is ultimately going to depend on what actually happened. So, in a typical car accident scenario:
- The driver might be liable for reckless behavior or improperly changing lanes.
- Alamo might be liable if they didn’t properly vet the driver.
- The manufacturer might be liable for things like failed brakes or sensor issues.
Often, liability is shared among these parties. In California, “comparative negligence” means your damages are reduced if you’re partly to blame, even if you were driving the Alamo car. And even with liability settled, you still have to go through the claims process, which can be time-consuming. This is another area where our team can be a huge benefit to you. We’ll support your claim and give you the attention and guidance you need.
Contact Maison Law After an Alamo Rental Car Accident in California
No matter where you are in California, you can find yourself in a car accident. And sometimes, this might involve an Alamo rental car. It’s never an easy situation, but our team at Maison Law will be ready to help you through it. We can explain your rights, then guide you through the claims process from start to finish. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation if you’ve been in a car accident with an Alamo rental car.
