Maison Law represents anyone that’s been hurt in a rental car accident in California. Nobody wants to be in a car accident, but you have to be prepared. Rental companies like Budget have their own policies and procedures when this happens, as well. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a Budget rental car, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to talk about your options.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Anytime you’re in a car accident, it’s going to raise a lot of questions. One of the big questions you probably have is whether or not you need a lawyer. The answer there depends on your situation. If your car accident is minor, you probably don’t need to worry about having a lawyer represent you in a claim. However, when you’re more seriously hurt or the car involved is a Budget rental car, it can change things. That’s where our team can step in and help you by:
- Investigating the accident
- Determining liability
- Figuring out Budget’s level of involvement
- Helping you with collecting evidence
- Negotiating with insurance companies
Our overall goal is to make the process easier for you. Managing the legal process while recovering from your injuries can become overwhelming. We handle the legal matters, allowing you to concentrate on your health and family.
What is Budget’s Rental Car Accident Policy?
Given that Budget is one of the largest rental car companies in the country, it’s not surprising that they have a large fleet of vehicles and the resources to cover anything that can come up when someone rents one of their cars. Chief among these are their rental car terms and conditions. These policies cover what happens when there’s an accident with one of their vehicles and a number of other things like:
- Reporting accidents – In the event of an accident, renters must promptly report it to Budget and follow their reporting procedures. Failure to do so may impact liability and coverage.
- Vehicle condition – Renters are responsible for returning the car in its original condition. Any additional damage may result in extra charges.
- Insurance coverage – Budget typically provides further insurance coverage in the event of an accident, but the specifics can vary. Most of the time, the driver’s personal car insurance will take precedence.
- Damage – Budget also offers optional protection if the car is damaged or stolen, with a “Loss Damage Waiver.” If this is in effect, the driver won’t be fully responsible for the accident and its resulting damage.
- Who can use the car – The rental agreement specifies who is permitted to drive the Budget, generally limiting this to the individual who made the reservation or an approved additional driver. Unauthorized drivers are not covered under the agreement.
- Duration and location – The policies define the allowed time frame and location for using the car. Exceeding these limits may affect Budget’s liability in case of an incident.
- Traffic laws – Renters must comply with all traffic regulations while using a Budget. Violating these rules can affect liability for any resulting issues.
- Things you can’t do – The policy outlines prohibited activities, such as driving under the influence or engaging in illegal acts. Participating in these activities can void Budget’s liability.
In an accident with a Budget car, both the driver and Budget might share liability. Knowing your options and the policy details is very important for handling the situation properly. That said, it’s important to understand who’s responsible for the accident.
Who’s Responsible For a Car Accident With a Budget Rental Car?
One of the main concerns after an accident involving a Budget rental car is figuring out who’s responsible. Even though renting from Budget is slightly unconventional, California law handles accidents in the same way.
First, we need to talk about negligence. Budget vehicles are held to the same standards as any other car when it comes to causing accidents. Basically, if a Budget driver messes up and causes a crash, both the driver and Budget might have to pay for any damage. To put it simply, there are four parts to proving negligence:
- Both the driver and Budget have a responsibility to keep everyone safe.
- If the driver or Budget doesn’t do their duty properly, that’s called a breach.
- Someone gets hurt—like you, a passenger, or another driver.
- The injury happened because the driver or Budget didn’t do their job right.
After we figure out who’s at fault, different people might be responsible for paying for your injuries:
- Budget, as a company
- The driver of the car
- People who fixed the vehicle
- The company that made faulty parts
Like any car accident, liability depends a lot on what happened. For example:
- If the driver was being reckless or didn’t check their blind spot, they might have to pay.
- If Budget didn’t properly check the driver’s background and they caused the accident, Budget might have to pay.
- If the car had brake problems or a tire blew out, the manufacturer might have to pay.
Usually, it’s a mix of these people who have to pay because everyone might have done something wrong.
Also, in California, they use a “comparative negligence” rule. This means if you’re partly to blame for the accident, your payment for damages goes down. This is even true if you’re the one driving the Budget car. No matter what happens, though, you need to know what you can gain in a claim.
What Can Be Gained in a Budget Accident Claim?
After any car accident where you’re hurt, your main focus should be on getting better. And while California law makes certain financial support available to you, you have to file an injury claim to get them. You can do this by filing an insurance claim out of court or a full personal injury lawsuit. Both let you potentially gain payment for things like:
- Medical expenses
- Treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Wrongful death expenses, if the accident was fatal
Remember, just having the right to file a claim doesn’t automatically mean you’ll recover these damages. You have to show the extent of your damages and prove your case. Our team can help you here, but there’s also things that you need to do.
How Can You Protect Your Claim?
Like any car accident, there’s a right way to do things right after it happens. While it’s important in any car accident you’re involved in, it’s especially important when a Budget rental car is involved. So, here’s what you can do to protect your claim:
- If anyone is hurt or the accident is blocking traffic, call 911 right away so an ambulance can respond and provide care at the scene.
- Exchange contact and insurance details with everyone involved in the accident.
- If it’s safe, take pictures of the scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions.
- It’s usually a good idea to report the accident to local law enforcement for an official report.
- Let Budget know about the accident right away, since they have specific procedures they have to follow.
- Even if you feel okay, see a doctor to be sure, as some injuries might not show up right away.
- Collect contact information from any witnesses—they could help later.
- Don’t fix or get rid of your damaged vehicle until you’ve talked to our lawyers or your insurance company.
- Tell your car insurance company about the accident—they’ll guide you through their process.
- Avoid admitting fault in any discussions with others involved, the police, or insurance reps.
- Save all documents related to the accident, like medical records, repair estimates, and any communication with Budget or insurance companies.
Following these steps is crucial for protecting your rights after an accident. And remember, our team can assist you with filing a claim for damages and support you throughout the process.
Contact Maison Law After a California Budget Rental Car Accident
When you’re in a car accident, it’s scary and confusing. But when the car involved is a Budget rental car, it only adds to the confusion. That said, you don’t have to face this situation by yourself. Maison Law’s team of California rental car accident lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.
