Call Us atNo matter who owns the vehicle, you have a “duty of care” under Alaska state law to drive carefully on a public road or highway. That said, even though rental car drivers can be held liable for wrecks under the legal theory of “negligence,” it is harder to obtain compensation for injuries after this type of accident.
The financial recovery process for rental car accidents in Anchorage often involves negotiations with multiple insurance companies. This compensation for your crash-related losses may even require filing a civil lawsuit in court. Luckily, a seasoned car accident attorney could ensure your rights are respected and improve your chances of getting the positive result you want.
Making the Most of Insurance After a Rental Car Crash
Under state law, every state resident who owes a registered motor vehicle must purchase at least minimum liability insurance coverages of:
- $25,000 for all property damage from the single crash
- $50,000 for a single person’s injuries in a single crash
- $100,000 for all injuries caused by a single crash
Not everyone who rents a car in Anchorage also owns one, so rental car companies must offer this minimum liability insurance coverage to anyone who gets in a wreck involving one of their vehicles.
Suppose a rental car driver has a personal auto insurance policy with greater coverage limits than the minimums listed above. In that case, someone could seek compensation from their insurance provider up to those limits rather than recovering only through the rental company’s insurance. Outside of that scenario, though, additional recovery beyond the required minimums may only be possible through extra car insurance coverage held by the injured person. For example, “collision” or “comprehensive” coverage was added onto their standard policy before they got into a wreck.
Is It Possible to Sue a Rental Car Company Over a Wreck?
There are cases in which a rental car driver causes a crash in Anchorage and does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for all the damages suffered by a victim of that crash. When this happens, the injured person may be able to demand additional compensation through a civil lawsuit or settlement if they can prove the other driver’s “negligence” directly caused their injuries. Generally, though, companies that rent out vehicles to drivers are not legally liable for any accidents those drivers cause by acting irresponsibly while driving a rental car.
The only exception to that rule is if the act of renting the car to that specific person in the first place was egregiously negligent. An example would be if a renter was clearly intoxicated when they first arrived at the rental office to pick up their keys. An attorney could help navigate scenarios like this efficiently and maximize available restitution.
Talk to an Anchorage Attorney About a Rental Car Wreck Claim
While not every rental car driver is guaranteed to act recklessly behind the wheel, it is, unfortunately, true that they tend to be less familiar with the roads they drive down compared to personal vehicle owners who live nearby. This means it is not uncommon for drivers to cause rental car accidents in Anchorage, as you may have unfortunately learned the hard way.
In the aftermath of any rental vehicle wreck, you should prioritize seeking medical care and then contacting an attorney with a possible civil claim. Call today to set up a meeting and learn more about pursuing compensation.
