Rental car accidents in Lake County are common due to its high traffic volume, central Florida location, and proximity to Orlando’s popular amusement parks and attractions. Your injury in a rental car could enable a claim for damages against a negligent driver or the rental car company, depending on the circumstances. However, pursuing these claims can be difficult because of disputes over fault and who should be liable for damages.
Our dedicated car accident attorneys represent clients in rental car accident cases by pursuing maximum compensation under their claims. Our experience in these cases gives us a unique ability to assist clients through every aspect of the recovery process. We believe in a hands-on approach and pride ourselves on directly managing each step of your claim instead of delegating to less experienced case managers or paralegals.
Who Is Liable for a Rental Car Accident?
Liability in a Lake County rental car accident depends on the specific facts and circumstances of the incident. In many cases, the driver whose negligence or wrongful actions directly caused the accident is held responsible. Examples of actions that may lead to a rental car accident and establish a driver’s liability include:
Rental car companies are generally not liable for accidents involving their leased vehicles. However, they may be responsible in certain situations. Liability can arise if the company rents out defective or unsafe vehicles or fails to screen drivers properly before leasing.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Lake County Rental Car Accident
A personal injury lawsuit is a civil proceeding that our Lake County lawyers can initiate to recover compensation against a negligent party in a rental car accident. Filing a lawsuit may be necessary in cases where the at-fault driver is underinsured or disputes their liability. Personal injury cases for rental vehicle accidents in Lake County can involve complex facts that make it difficult to determine each party’s degree of fault. Defendants may claim the injured party was at fault for causing the accident. The state has a comparative fault rule under Statute Section 768.81 that may apply in these cases and limit an injured person’s compensation by their percentage of fault for causing the accident.
Compensation in a case will also depend on the severity of a person’s injury and its effect on their life. Common damages to claim in a rental car accident may include compensation for a person’s pain and suffering, medical care expenses, and losses from an injury making them unable to work. The deadline to file a personal injury claim in Florida is two years under the statute of limitations and typically begins on the date of the accident.
Speak With a Lake County Attorney About Your Rental Car Accident
Injury and loss in rental car accidents in Lake County can be an overwhelming experience to manage. Recovering compensation can be equally challenging when it involves out-of-state drivers and rental car companies. It’s important to obtain the name of the driver, the license plate of the vehicle, and the name of the rental car company after an accident. Then, schedule a consultation with our lawyers for a free case review to further discuss your legal rights and options after suffering injury in an accident. Contact our office today for your free consultation.
