Maison Law helps anyone injured in a rental car accident in California. Accidents can happen, and rental companies like Dollar have their own policies in place when they do. If you’ve been hurt in an accident with a Dollar rental car, contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
Like any car accident, you don’t technically need a lawyer when the accident involves a Dollar rental car. In fact, if the accident is minor, you probably don’t need to worry about taking legal action at all.
Still, every car accident carries the risk of more extensive injuries. And when that happens coupled with a Dollar rental car, it becomes clear that you would need our lawyers to help you. We can give you a personalized approach to your particular case, helping you gather important evidence and explaining your options. Then, we can guide you through the process. Better yet, we work on a contingency basis, meaning there’s no upfront cost for you to work with us.
Does a Dollar Rental Car Have an Accident Policy?
Like most any car rental company, Dollar has certain policies in place when there’s an accident involving one of their vehicles. Moreover, this policy applies whether you’re the one driving their car or not.
As it specifically relates to an accident, Dollar’s policy is that the driver of the car is:
- Liable for any damage to the car, even if someone else causes the accident.
Additionally, the driver is also liable for any outstanding costs from the accident, including things like:
- Towing and storage fees
- The rental fee for the days the car is being repaired and can’t be rented out to others
- Any decrease in the value of the actual car
- Rental fees up until the day you report the damage or return the car, whichever is later.
- Any out-of-pocket costs
- License plate and other associated fees
While this answers questions as it relates specifically to a Dollar rental car, what it does not exactly cover is what happens legally when there’s one of these accidents.
What is the Legal Process When There’s a Dollar Rental Car Accident?
Just because Dollar has their own policies and procedures for an accident with one of their cars, it doesn’t change the overall legal process. Basically, it happens independent of Dollar’s policies. And just like any other car accident, the process has the same starting point: figuring out who’s liable.
Liability in a rental car accident is held to the same standard, meaning that whoever was “negligent” is going to carry the responsibility for covering your injuries and damages. Now, this can be split among multiple parties, spending on what actually happened:
- The driver of the Dollar rental car
- Dollar’s management or workers, especially if they don’t follow their own policies
- The car manufacturer
- Third drivers
- Local governments
If you’re driving the rental car and an accident happens, your rights and options remain the same, as long as you didn’t cause the accident. This is known as “comparative negligence.” You can still file an injury claim, but any financial support you receive will be reduced by your share of the fault in the accident.
Again, though, the main factor in figuring out liability is negligence. It not only affects your potential claim but also influences how the claims process will go.
What Damages Can You Recover in the Claims Process?
Any car accident is going to result in some type of damage. In most cases, this will involve physical injuries, financial losses from expenses, emotional and mental turmoil, and damage to the actual vehicle. Being involved with a Dollar rental car doesn’t really change this process either, and it certainly doesn’t change your legal options.
As an injury victim in a car accident, you have the legal right to file an injury claim to recover certain “damages” from whoever is responsible for the accident. You can do this outside of court through an insurance claim or inside the court system with a lawsuit.
Both allow you to potentially get back things like:
- Medical expenses – Costs for hospital visits, doctor appointments, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any other medical care you need because of the accident.
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs – Financial support needed to fix the car if it was damaged, or to buy a new one if it was totaled.
- Lost wages or future earnings – The income you lose if you can’t work because of your injuries, including any future income you might miss out on if you can’t return to work right away.
- Pain and suffering you go through – Financial support for the physical pain and discomfort you experience due to your injuries.
- Emotional distress resulting from the accident – Financial considerations to cover the psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
- Decreased enjoyment of life or loss of companionship – Financial considerations for not being able to enjoy activities you used to love, or for the loss of a close relationship due to the accident.
- Wrongful death expenses in the event of a fatality – Costs related to the death of a loved one in the accident, including funeral expenses and loss of financial support.
Filing an injury claim is a crucial step in your recovery process. However, you need to act quickly because you have a two-year deadline from the date of the accident to file the claim. If you miss this deadline, you won’t be able to get damages at all.
Can You Strengthen Your Claim After a Dollar Rental Car Accident?
Just having the option to file an injury claim after a Dollar rental car accident is unfortunately not an automatic ticket to damages. You have to present your claim effectively, and that starts with taking the right steps after the accident to strengthen it:
- Take care of your injuries – First, check for injuries and call 911 if needed. Get care from emergency medical technicians and follow up at a hospital for any lingering issues.
- Report the accident – Contact the police to report the accident and manage the scene. Also, inform Dollar Rental Car about the incident for further instructions.
- Collect information – Gather names, contact details, and insurance information from everyone involved, including witnesses. Note details about the rental car and agreement.
- Document the scene – Take photos or videos of the accident site, including damage, road conditions, and injuries.
- Don’t make statements – Avoid discussing the incident with insurance companies without consulting legal advice and keep from posting about it on social media.
Understanding Dollar’s accident policies will help you navigate the process more effectively. Prioritize your health and safety first, and the rest will follow.
Maison Law Can Help After a Dollar Rental Car Accident in California
Car accidents, even ones with Dollar rental cars, can seriously affect your health and disrupt your life. At Maison Law, our experienced California rental car accident lawyers are here to help you through the claims process and support you throughout your case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident with a Dollar rental car, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
