Boston Rental Car Accident Lawyer
There are many reasons why individuals rent cars. Individuals may need a rental because their cars are being repaired, or they may use them for travel. When an accident occurs with a rental car, it may be difficult to determine liability in the rental car accident and the party responsible for paying damages. with the help of a skilled Boston rental car accident attorney, individuals may be able to seek compensation from the responsible party.
If you or a loved one were injured in an automobile crash with a rental vehicle, it is best to speak to a knowledgeable Boston rental car accident lawyer to learn about your legal rights and options. Attorneys could handle your case and negotiate with insurance companies while you focus on your physical recovery.
If you were injured because of a rental car accident in Boston, get help obtaining the payment available to you. Call our Boston rental car accident lawyers today for a free consultation at (617) 925-6407.
Who Pays for a Rental Car Accident in Boston?
The aftermath of a rental car accident can be stressful and disorienting. Many victims of such accidents question who can be held accountable for their injuries. Fortunately, our experienced Boston rental car accident lawyers can help evaluate the strength your potential claim against any of the following parties:
The Rental Company
After a rental car accident, you may be able to sue the rental company that provided the vehicle involved in your collision. For instance, if your crash happened because your rental company did not perform proper maintenance on their vehicle, then the rental company may be held responsible the injuries you suffered. Our attorneys can help investigate the cause of your collision and determine if the rental company can be sued.
Your Insurer
Your own car insurance coverage can also extend to cover damages caused by your rental-car accident. Therefore, after a rental car accident, you may be able to file a claim under your own no-fault insurance policy. Our Boston rental car accident lawyers can help victims review their policies and file their claims.
Also, when renting a vehicle, you may have the opportunity to purchase additional insurance coverage through the rental company. Our attorneys can help determine if any additional insurance coverage you purchased can be used to pay for injuries caused by your rental car accident.
Other Motorists
Lastly, after a rental car accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit seeking compensation from the at-fault driver. However, because Massachusetts is a no-fault car insurance state, you will only be able to file lawsuits against other motorists under certain conditions. In order to file a rental car accident lawsuit against another driver, you must have suffered at least $2,000 in medical expenses, or one of the following injuries:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Substantial loss of hearing or sight
- Permanent and significant disfigurement
There are several types of injuries that can fall into the previously mentioned categories. After a collision, you should contact our Boston rental car accident lawyers for help evaluating the strength of your claim against the at-fault motorist.
Common Injuries in a Rental Car Accident in Boston
A rental car is an automobile that is owned by a rental agency that a person pays to use for a fixed period of time. an individual could have a short-term rental, which could range from one day to a few weeks, or long-term, which generally lasts a few weeks. Renting a car is different from leasing because a lease allows a person to have a vehicle for an extended period of time, such as two or three years.
Regardless of how the accident occurred, an individual could sustain serious injuries. Common injuries as a result of a rental car accident could include:
- Broken bones, sprains, and strains
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injuries
- Headaches
- Contusions
- Loss of limb
Following an accident, injured individuals should seek help from a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment of all injuries. a dedicated Boston car accident attorney for rental car accidents could use the medical documentation such as tests and physician’s notes to prove the extent of the victim’s injuries in court and help he or she seek compensation from the responsible party.
How Does Insurance Coverage Work in a Rental Car Accident in Boston?
Insurance coverage differs between a typical car accident injury and a rental car accident because there are more types of insurance options. For example, individuals could receive coverage for the rental car itself and the driver of the car.
When an accident is caused by a negligent rental car driver, generally there are two types of insurance policies that could come into play. First, a typical driver’s car insurance policy if he or she owns a car and the rental car agency’s insurance policy for the vehicle. If the driver had insurance and then the rental car agency had insurance, he or she may be able to stack the coverage to maximize the available insurance.
Elements of a Rental Car Accident Lawsuit in Boston
There are many different legal strategies that may be applied to your rental car accident lawsuit. The process for recovering compensation can vary from case to case. However, every plaintiff must show that each of the following general elements are true:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant did not adhere to their duty of care
- You were hurt because of the defendant’s breach of duty
- You sustained damages as a result of your injuries
Analyzing these elements within the context of your case can be a complicated task. During your free case assessment, our experienced Boston rental car accident lawyers can help determine if the necessary elements have been satisfied.
Proving Fault for a Rental Car Accident in Boston
In order for rental car accident lawsuits to prevail, plaintiffs must show that they were injured because of defendants’ negligent actions. There are several different types of evidence that can be utilized when proving fault. Our Boston rental car accident lawyers can help gather and preserve any of the following type of evidence in your case:
Witness Testimony
Witness testimony can be highly valuable when proving fault for a rental car accident. Witnesses can offer either oral or written testimony that helps explain the events that occurred before, during, and after a crash. For example, a witness may state that they saw another driver commit an improper left turn before causing an accident.
Accordingly, you should always retrieve contact information for witnesses to your accident if possible. After, our attorneys can offer support when reaching out for their potential cooperation.
Photos from the Scene
Photos from the scene are another type of evidence that can be used to establishing fault for rental car accidents. Such photos can be particularly useful when disproving defendants’ alternative theories of fault. For example, an at-fault driver may attempt to assert that their collision was actually caused by poor road conditions. In that case, photos from the scene showing adequate road conditions could be utilized to disprove the defendant’s theory and establish that they were at fault.
Therefore, you should attempt to document the scene of your rental car accident with photos and videos if possible. Our Boston rental car accident lawyers can help review any photos you took during your free case assessment.
Expert Witness Testimony
Additionally, expert witness testimony can be helpful when proving fault for a rental car accident in Boston. Expert witnesses are considered experts because they have completed the necessary education, training, and experience in their respective fields. Such witnesses are often used to explain complex theories of fault. For instance, after a rental car accident that occurs at an intersection, an accident reconstruction expert may be summoned to explain which driver is at fault. Our Boston rental car accident lawyers can help find the right experts to support your case.
Surveillance Footage
Surveillance footage is another form of evidence that can be used to establish fault for a rental car accident. For some collisions, footage from nearby security cameras can be recovered that shows why or how the accidents happened. Our attorneys can help investigate whether any pertinent surveillance footage exists in your case.
Unfortunately, some parties in control of surveillance footage may not behave cooperatively with plaintiff. Accordingly, our team’s assistance can be very helpful when recovering such evidence in your case.
Personal Recollections
Lastly, your personal recollection of your accident can be useful to our Boston rental car accident lawyers when building your case. It can be hard to tell which details surrounding your crash will become important during later stages of your trial. Accordingly, you should attempt to record a detailed recollection of your accident while your memory is fresh. The information you record can be very helpful when establishing fault in your case.
Our Boston Rental Car Accident Attorneys Can Help If You Were Injured
Determining liability in a rental car collision and negotiating with insurance companies could be difficult to handle alone. a Boston rental car accident lawyer could review your case to discover which party is at fault and help you file a claim. with the help of a seasoned attorney, he or she could work on your behalf to help you get the compensation you need for your injuries and damages. Call (617) 925-6407 today to speak with our Boston personal injury lawyers and get started on your case.
