You can drive a rental car and get into an accident due to no fault of your own. At this point, consult with a Lake Charles rental car accident lawyer. When you do, you can find out if you are eligible to submit a claim for damages.
With more than 350 years of combined legal experience, the team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you deal with the aftermath of your rental car accident. Discuss your case with our Lake Charles car accident lawyer. To get started, contact us today.
What to Do After a Rental Car Accident
It is easy to panic in the moments after your accident. However, try to stay calm, cool, and collected, so you and others involved in the incident can get the help you need. Here are ways to protect yourself and others:
- Dial 911. Medical personnel and police officers can come to the scene of your accident and assist you and others.
- Get information from the other driver. Ask the driver for their contact and insurance information since you will need it to file a claim.
- Capture evidence. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, damage to your car, and your injuries.
- Notify your rental car company. Ask the company how to move forward with your claim.
- Contact your insurer. Answer your insurance company’s questions about your accident, but do not accept responsibility for the incident.
Along with these things, connect with a Lake Charles personal injury lawyer. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, your voice is our voice. Get in touch with us to learn how we can help you with your claim.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientHow a Rental Car Accident Claim Works
Your rental car accident lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, can walk you through the steps of an insurance claim. Once you submit your claim, your insurance provider and the at-fault party’s insurer will conduct an investigation. If you are found to be in no way at fault, you may get compensation to cover your accident-related losses.
Unfortunately, the legal system offers no guarantees, particularly when it comes to insurance claims. You may have a legitimate request for compensation. Regardless, a liable party’s insurance carrier is likely to do everything possible to dispute your claim.
If you work with a Lake Charles aggressive driving accident lawyer, you have a legal advocate at your side. Your attorney will represent your best interests in negotiations with an insurance company. Plus, they will help you calculate your damages, ensuring you are well-positioned to secure compensation that meets your expectations.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientWhat Your Lake Charles Rental Car Accident Lawsuit Is Worth
Expect your rental car accident lawyer in Lake Charles to consider your losses carefully. You can ask for economic and non-economic damages. This will help you get compensation for many reasons, such as:
- Emotional distress
- Loss of income
- Medical bills
- Suffering and pain
A Lake Charles speeding accident lawyer can request the most compensation possible on your behalf. Of course, just because you ask for this amount does not mean you will receive it. Your attorney will help you gather evidence and prepare an argument designed to show the court that a liable party was negligent.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWho Is Responsible for a Rental Car Accident
The other driver can be held responsible for your accident. For example, a motorist drives faster than the posted speed limit and crashes their car into yours. Following the accident, you can request compensation through a claim with the driver’s auto insurer.
Someone other than a motorist can be held accountable for your accident. If your rental car was defective and you got into an accident, the company that provided you with the vehicle could be liable. Alternatively, if your accident happened on a road where hazards were present, a government entity may be responsible.
To help determine liability, find out how to get a car accident report in Lake Charles. A rental car accident attorney in Lake Charles, LA, can help you request this report. With your report in hand, you have evidence you can use to prove negligence.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientProving Negligence
Your Lake Charles rental car accident attorney can teach you about negligence and how it applies to your case. In your case, you must take responsibility for the burden of proof. If a liable party raises doubts about whether they are fully responsible for your accident, you may not be able to get damages from them.
In order to prove negligence, you will have to…
- Show that a party was reasonably expected to follow a specified standard of care.
- Verify that this party did not meet this standard, leading to your accident.
- Prove you are dealing with quantifiable losses, subjective losses, or both.
Per Louisiana Revised Statutes 23:1209, you have up to two years from the date of your accident to file your claim. Once you submit your claim, you and your lawyer can collect accident scene photos and other proof. If your evidence is compelling and your argument is strong, the court will award you 100% of the damages you request.
How Comparative Fault Applies to Your Case
You may have had nothing to do with the fact that another motorist drove their car into your rental vehicle. Yet, based on comparative fault, a judge or jury could say you are partly responsible for your accident. If this happens, you will get only a portion of the damages you initially sought.
With comparative fault, the damages you receive can be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, consider what happens if a judge or jury finds you are 10% liable for your accident. This means the defendant is 90% at fault and has to pay all but 10% of your damages.
Your rental car accident attorney in Lake Charles can go over comparative fault in detail with you. They can address your legal questions and concerns throughout your litigation. Through it all, your lawyer will protect your legal rights, putting you in a great position to secure damages.
Get Help from a Lake Charles Rental Car Accident Lawyer
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers puts an award-winning legal team in your corner. Our team is here to assist you. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
