Were you injured in an auto accident involving a rental car in St. Louis? The experienced personal injury attorneys at Sumner Law Group, LLC, want to help you understand your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. With over 50 years of combined experience helping car accident victims in Missouri and Illinois, our trial lawyers have built a reputation for achieving outstanding results through aggressive negotiation and skilled litigation.
Contact us today for a free consultation about your rental car accident case. You won’t pay us any attorney’s fees unless and until we recover money for you.
Who Is Responsible for Damages in a Rental Car Accident?
Determining liability in a rental car accident often involves multiple parties and insurance policies. Examples of parties potentially responsible for covering your losses may include:
- The at-fault driver – If another driver caused the accident through careless behavior, such as running a red light or following too closely, their insurance company should cover your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and other losses.
- The rental car company – Rental agencies must adequately maintain their vehicles and ensure they are safe to operate. They could bear responsibility if poor maintenance or mechanical issues contributed to the crash.
- The renter’s insurance company – Most personal auto insurance policies extend coverage to rental vehicles. The renter’s policy may provide primary or secondary coverage depending on the specific terms.
- Credit card companies – Many credit cards offer rental car coverage when the full rental fee is charged to the card. This typically serves as secondary coverage after other insurance policies.
Determining which parties may be liable and how different insurance policies interact requires careful analysis of the accident’s circumstances. Our experienced St. Louis rental car accident attorneys are ready to review your unique situation to identify all potential sources of compensation.
Can You Sue a Rental Car Company for Negligence?
You can sue a rental car company if their negligence led to your injuries. Rental agencies must maintain their vehicles in safe working condition. Common examples of rental car company negligence include:
- Failure to perform regular safety inspections – A rental car company that skips crucial inspections puts renters and others on the road at risk.
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance – Issues like worn brake pads, faulty steering systems, or bald tires can cause serious accidents.
- Renting to unqualified drivers – Companies must verify that renters have valid licenses and meet age requirements.
- Poor record-keeping – Failing to track maintenance records or document known mechanical problems could constitute negligence.
How Is Compensation Calculated for Rental Car Accident Injuries?
The value of your rental car accident claim depends on several key factors:
- Current and future medical expenses – This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any long-term treatment needs.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity – Compensation covers income lost during recovery and any permanent reduction in your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering – You can recover for compensation for non-economic losses like physical pain, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Property damage – This category includes repairs or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property that sustained damage in the crash.
Our team works with medical and financial experts to accurately calculate the full extent of your accident-related losses and pursue maximum compensation.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove a Rental Car Accident Claim?
Building a strong rental car accident case requires substantial evidence. Key pieces of evidence include:
- Police reports documenting the accident details and law enforcement’s initial findings of fault
- Photos and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and other relevant scene elements
- Medical records showing the extent of injuries and required treatment
- Maintenance records from the rental company showing any history of mechanical issues
- Witness statements from people who saw the accident occur
- Expert testimony from accident reconstructionists or medical experts
- Rental agreement and insurance documentation
The St. Louis car accident attorneys at Sumner Law Group know how to gather and preserve crucial evidence to support your claim. We are ready to investigate immediately to ensure access to all essential details.
How Does Missouri Law Impact Rental Car Accident Settlements?
Missouri law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. These requirements apply to rental car accidents as well.
Additionally, Missouri has a five-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims, which means you must take legal action within this timeframe to preserve your right to pursue compensation through the courts.
How Can Comparative Fault Affect Rental Car Accident Claims in St. Louis?
Missouri accident liability laws follow a pure comparative fault system, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the crash. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20 percent at fault for the accident and your total losses were $100,000, you could still recover $80,000.
The system makes it crucial to work with experienced attorneys who can work to minimize your assigned percentage of fault and maximize potential compensation for rental car accidents.
How Our St. Louis Rental Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we understand the challenges people face after suffering injuries in car crashes involving rental vehicles. Our attorneys tackle rental car accident claims by:
- Handling all communications with insurance companies and rental car agencies, including rental vehicle insurance disputes
- Working with accident reconstruction experts to establish fault
- Calculating the full value of your damages, including current and future losses
- Gathering and preserving critical evidence to support your claim
- Fighting for maximum compensation through negotiations with the car insurance company or litigation, if necessary
We intentionally maintain a limited caseload to ensure each client receives the personal attention they deserve. Our proven track record includes numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, earning us membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Less than 1 percent of lawyers nationwide hold this honor.
Call Sumner Law Group today or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced Missouri rental car accident attorney at Sumner Law Group, LLC. We’ll review your case at no cost and explain how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
