Topsail Island Rental Car Accident Lawyer

Topsail Island Rental Car Accident Attorney

Being able to travel and explore is greatly facilitated by rental car services. Sometimes, however, car accidents happen. When they do, finding a competent Topsail Island rental car accident lawyer is a wise decision.

Supporting Rental Car Accident Victims in Topsail Island, NC

Christina Rivenbark & Associates offers over 30 years of experience in handling a wide variety of legal cases, including car accidents, catastrophic injuries, commercial vehicle accidents, and car rental accident cases in Topsail Island.

The team at Christina Rivenbark & Associates focuses on providing individualized help for clients. We can help you navigate simple or complex cases, guide you through the maze of insurance questions, and help you get the compensation you deserve. Having the support of a qualified attorney can give you peace of mind and offer support in the aftermath of a wreck.

Liability in Rental Car Accidents in NC

Rental car accidents are similar to car wrecks with personal vehicles. In both cases, North Carolina is a fault state, meaning that the most important step is determining who is at fault in the car accident. If you are found to be at fault in a car accident, you will not have any claim to damages and will most likely be responsible for paying damages to the other party.

Determining fault in a car accident can take various approaches, but it is essential to document the situation and gather evidence. This could be proving the other driver was driving while intoxicated, using phone records to show that they were driving distracted, or showing that they were at fault for speeding, ignoring traffic laws, etc.

Working with an attorney to file an accident claim can be helpful. They can help you gather evidence such as police records, eyewitness accounts, traffic camera footage, cell phone data, etc.

Compensation From Insurance

Once you prove that you are not at fault in the accident and show another party is liable, you will be able to claim compensation from the insurance company. Depending on the rental car company’s insurance in the Topsail Island area, the compensation may or may not cover your physical and financial losses. Unfortunately, many insurance companies do not have your interests in mind, and you may run into extra difficulties.

Insurance companies work to keep from having to pay out more damages, regardless of whether you deserve them. Having an attorney working with you can deter insurance companies from trying to pay less than you deserve. An attorney can help verify that an offered settlement is truly fair and reasonable.

Compensation for Personal Injury

Ideally, car rental insurance will cover all damages, and you can move on, but sometimes, car accidents leave people with severe physical injuries, medical bills, and employment issues. If you have losses that are not covered by auto insurance, it may be worthwhile to pursue a personal injury case against the at-fault party in the accident.

Building Your Legal Case

Beyond helping you prove liability and gather evidence for your insurance claim, a lawyer on Topsail Island, North Carolina can help you assess if you should build a personal injury case. You have the right to seek compensation not only for immediate economic losses, such as damage to the rental car, but for long-term losses. These may include extended pain and suffering due to injuries, economic losses due to being unable to work, and medical bills for continued healthcare.

FAQs About Topsail Island, NC Rental Car Accident Laws

Are Rental Car Companies Liable for Accidents in North Carolina?

In Topsail Island, NC, the party liable for an accident is usually the at-fault driver, not the rental car company. This means that the at-fault driver, along with their insurance, will be responsible for covering damages. While the at-fault driver may have insurance through the rental car company to cover a crash, the rental car business itself is not responsible for accidents unless there is evidence that negligence on their part directly led to the car crash.

Can I Sue a Car Rental Company?

There are valid reasons to sue a car rental company; however, a rental car simply being involved in an accident is not a sufficient reason. As with many legal cases, in order to be sued, the defendant must have been negligent in their duties. For example, if the car rental place has not maintained their cars properly, which they have a duty toward, and the brakes malfunction and lead to a car wreck, then suing the car rental place may be possible.

What Do Rental Car Companies Consider Damage?

Rental car companies have different policies and different kinds of supplemental insurance. It is important to thoroughly read the rental car agreement that you sign so that you understand exactly what kinds of damage you may be held responsible for. If you have a car of your own, reach out to your car insurance to understand what their policy is for providing you with rental car insurance.

What Happens if I Scrape My Rental Car?

Whether it is your fault or someone else’s, if you return a rental car with more damages than it left the rental lot with, you will likely find yourself paying a fee. To protect yourself from extra costs, it is important to closely document your rental car vehicle’s damages before driving it off the lot, document any issues you find after driving it away, and consider purchasing supplemental insurance to cover scrapes or dings that occur while using the rental car.

Obtain Legal Support in Topsail Island

If you are dealing with a car rental accident claim, it is wise to work with a qualified lawyer. Many insurance companies will work to limit the amount of compensation you receive, and there may also be claim options that you are unfamiliar with.

Christina Rivenbark & Associates wants to advocate for you. We have decades of experience and have built a solid reputation defending victims of car accidents on Topsail Island. If you have questions about your case, are trying to handle insurance claims, or simply wish to consult with a Topsail Island rental car accident lawyer, reach out to us today.