How to Obtain Compensation When You Have Been Hit by a Rental Car in Arizona

Are the rules different for what to do after you have been hit by a negligent driver in a rental car? The short answer is no. The same procedures apply for how to respond after a vehicular accident, however, pursuing compensation can be more confusing in this situation. An experienced Phoenix car accident attorney will be able to explain the personal injury claim process and clarify what happens when a rental car is involved in a crash.

A Review of The Steps To Take After An Accident

1. Exchange information with the other driver. Get their contact information, their insurance provider, their full name.  If the rented car is not in their name, obtain the full name of the individual whose names it was rented. Also, get the name of the rental car company as well as where it is located. Make sure to obtain all information about additional insurance the driver may be carrying such as travel insurance, liability insurance, and the insurance of the rental company, of course.
2. If you suffered serious injuries, call 911 for ambulance transportation to the hospital and obtain immediate attention for your injuries. Otherwise, as soon as you can see a medical professional after the accident, make an appointment. 
3. Contact the rental company and inform them of the accident. You might have to contact them anyway if the driver doesn’t have the information on their insurance policy.
4. Take as many pictures of the accident as possible. Physical damages, the environment, debris, the location of the vehicles, etc. If there were any witnesses, ask them if they would be willing to give their contact information and provide statements.
5. Contact a resourceful Phoenix serious injury attorney.

Arizona Liability Laws And Rental Vehicles

For many years, the rental car’s insurance was the primary insurance in Arizona. This insurance company was the first point of contact after an accident when you are seeking to recoup damages. As an at-fault state, the individual who was driving the rental car would be responsible for the costs for injured parties. Working with one insurance company is tough enough but coordinating between two and fighting both to obtain your benefits is not an easy task when you are also trying to overcome your injuries. 

Victims who are hit by drivers of rental cars aren’t going to get much compensation from the rental car company’s insurance provider. A victim isn’t getting anything above the minimum, which, in most cases, doesn’t cut it. 

Not that long ago, in 2012 the passage of State Bill 1153 changed this system for the better. Now in Arizona, you can go directly to the driver’s insurance as the primary provider to cover your damages. This gives victims much better chances of having everything taken care of. If the driver’s insurance doesn’t cover everything, it is possible to use the rental car’s insurance company as a backup. The upside is that if you are hit by a driver of a rental car, you at least have some insurance to help with your costs. 

When you have been injured in an accident, don’t get yourself bogged down with the legal challenges of obtaining a fair settlement. In Arizona, ELG will provide you the legal representation you need to obtain compensation so you can focus your attention on recovering. Call the attorneys at ELG today and set up a free consultation at either our Phoenix or Mesa personal injury law offices at 623-562-3838.