Maison Law helps people that have been hurt in rental car accidents in California. No one wants to be involved in a car accident, especially with a Sixt rental car. Our team is here to support you through what can sometimes be a complex situation. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Although you hope to avoid accidents with a Sixt rental car, they can still happen, and it’s crucial to be prepared. Whether you need a lawyer depends on the severity of your situation. For minor injuries, legal help might not be necessary.
However, if the injuries or damages are more serious, you should seriously consider hiring a lawyer. Our team can provide essential legal support by:
- Explaining your rights
- Investigating the incident
- Negotiating with rental companies and insurers
- Assessing your damages
- Simplifying the legal process
Rental car accidents, while similar to other crashes, can have unique challenges, so having experienced assistance can be beneficial. First, it’s important to determine who or what caused the accident.
Who’s Responsible When There’s a Sixt Rental Car Accident?
When Sixt rents a car to you or anyone else, in the event of an accident hinges on negligence. Just like when you get behind the wheel of your own car, you have to drive in a safe way. This means avoiding behaviors such as:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding or driving recklessly
- Getting distracted while driving
- Driving when overly tired
- Ignoring traffic rules or signs
If you engage in any of these actions and cause an accident, you are considered negligent and responsible for the damages.
However, Sixt may also share some liability under certain circumstances, known as “vicarious liability.” This means that even if Sixt didn’t directly cause the accident, they could still be held partially responsible because they rented out the car. This usually happens when they don’t follow their own policies or check the driving record of the person they’re renting to.
But just like any car accident, others are likely to be involved, like:\
- Third drivers
- Passengers or pedestrians
- Local government or road agencies
- Car or part manufacturers
Even with additional insurance coverage and policies in place with a Sixt car, your legal options remain the same after the accident.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Sixt Rental Car Accident?
Your primary legal right after any car accident, including one involving a Sixt rental car, is the ability to file an injury claim and recover financial support for your “damages.” This is just the legal term for your losses resulting from your injuries and other related harm. You generally have two main options to pursue these damages:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
Both processes typically follow similar steps. Once you file a claim, there will be an investigation and exchange of evidence to determine what happened and who is responsible. This is followed by a negotiation stage, which culminates in either an insurance settlement or a jury verdict. Damages can cover:
- Medical expenses – This includes current and future costs for hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, and therapy needed to treat your injuries.
- Lost wages – If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek damages for the income you’ve lost and any future earnings you might miss.
- Property damage – You can also recover damages for the repair/replacement costs for any vehicle or personal property damage.
- Pain and suffering – This compensates for the physical pain and mental anguish from the accident. You can also recover damages for the emotional distress caused by the accident, which can include anxiety, depression, and changes in your quality of life.
- Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship – If the accident negatively affects your personal relationships or your ability to enjoy daily activities, you can claim support for these losses.
While the basic steps for seeking damages are the same, involving Sixt adds extra considerations. The first step is identifying who is responsible for paying these damages. Understanding these details can help you get the financial support you need. But another crucial part of the process is how you can put together a strong claim.
How Can You Put Together a Strong Claim For Damages?
While it’s true that having Sixt involved in a car accident claim can make things more complicated, it doesn’t necessarily change how you should approach the accident. That means taking certain steps after the accident to gather the information you need for your claim and to put together a strong case:
- Check for injuries and call 911 – Start by assessing if anyone, including yourself and passengers, is injured. If there are injuries, immediately call 911 for an ambulance and make sure everyone receives the necessary help.
- Call the local police – Let the nearby police know about the accident so they can make an official record and make sure everything is done right.
- Tell Sixt about the accident – If you’re driving a Sixt rental car, find out details about the car and tell Sixt about what happened. They should then proceed according to their accident policy.
- Talk to people who saw the accident – If anyone saw the accident happen, talk to them, get their story, and their contact details in case you need them later.
- Take pictures – Use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene to show how bad it was.
- Share information – Give your contact and insurance details to the other people involved in the accident so you can stay in touch and sort out any issues.
- Review the rental agreement and policies – Get any documentation relating to the Sixt rental, like the agreement or policies that are in place. This could potentially tie them into your claim.
Obviously, you never want to be involved in a car accident, whether it’s in a Sixt car or your own. Still, these things happen, especially in California where there’s so much traffic and so many different drivers. These steps are important for your claim, but also makes sure your health and safety are taken care of. Only then should you start thinking about your legal options, and our team will be there to answer any questions you have.
Experienced California Rental Car Accident Lawyers
When you’re in a car accident, having an experienced legal team on your side can make the situation much easier. This is particularly true when the other car involved is a Sixt rental car. Our California rental car accident lawyers at Maison Law have the experience and knowledge you need to make sure your rights are protected. To get the recovery process started, contact us today for a free consultation.
