The aftermath of a rental car accident can turn your life upside down. You might be dealing with devastating emotional distress, painful injuries, and the severe financial strain of being unable to work. With bills piling up and no clear answers, it can feel impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Your legal advocate with Shelly Leeke Law Firm understands how overwhelming this experience can be. Having successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients over the years, your Beaufort rental car accident lawyer can help you fight for justice and the compensation you need to cover your costs so you can begin to move forward from this traumatic experience.
Schedule your free case review today to learn how your Beaufort car accident lawyer with our firm can help.
Demand the Just Compensation You Are Entitled to
Recovering fair compensation after a rental car accident means addressing the full extent of your losses. Your Beaufort personal injury lawyer will evaluate the individual details of your case to determine all the ways your injuries have affected your life.
Some of the most common types of damages that may be recovered in your claim include:
Lost Wages
A rental car accident can leave you unable to work, causing financial strain from lost wages. In addition to your regular paycheck, you may also lose access to valuable employee benefits, such as health insurance or retirement contributions.
Your rental car accident lawyer will review your losses, including pay stubs and employer statements, to calculate the value of your claim accurately.
Pain and Suffering
The phrase “pain and suffering” encompasses the physical and emotional toll of your injuries and how they impact your daily life. This type of compensation addresses non-economic damages that are not tied to financial losses but still significantly affect your quality of life. Some examples of pain and suffering damages that could be recovered include:
- Emotional distress
- Chronic physical pain
- Feelings of shame or embarrassment
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of consortium
- Cognitive difficulties
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Sleep disturbances
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses often make up the largest portion of a rental car accident claim. These costs can include emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, and prescription medications. Ongoing medical needs, such as physical therapy or specialized equipment and care, should also be factored into your claim.
Grounds for a Rental Car Accident Insurance or Civil Claim
You might worry that your injuries are not severe enough to warrant a claim. However, the severity of your injuries is only one factor in determining your eligibility for compensation. Understanding the elements of negligence can help you determine whether you have grounds for a claim:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
The severity of your injuries impacts not only the strength of your claim but also the amount of compensation you could recover. Even if your injuries seem minor, the long-term effects could have significant financial and emotional consequences. It is important to understand how much your damages are actually worth if you hope to get the most out of your claim.
How Rental Car Accident Claims Unfold
If you were injured in a rental car accident, you may feel uncertain about what comes next. Your Beaufort rental car accident attorney can simplify the process during an already overwhelming time in your life. Here are the most important steps you should take after being involved in a rental car accident:
Step 1: Gathering Evidence
Arguably, the most important thing you can do after a rental car accident is to gather valuable supporting evidence. This includes police reports, witness statements, and photos of the crash scene or vehicle damage. These details can help establish liability and prove the value of your damages.
Step 2: Working with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often require prompt action, clear documentation, and careful communication. Filing a claim with the correct insurer can be more complex than it seems, especially when multiple parties are involved. Here is a general idea of what you could expect from the insurance company depending on the circumstances of your case;
- Filing a claim with the rental car company’s insurance – Coverage may include collision damage or liability protection based on your rental agreement. Knowing the terms of your rental contract is crucial to understanding what is covered. Failing to file promptly or accurately can delay your claim.
- Communicating with the other driver’s insurer – This involves providing a clear account of the accident, including evidence that supports your version of events. It is important to respond to any requests for information as soon as you are able.
- Handling disputes over liability – Insurance companies may deny responsibility or dispute the extent of damages caused by the accident.
Step 3: Pursuing Compensation Through Legal Action
When settlement offers fail to account for the full extent of your losses, pursuing a lawsuit may become necessary. Having an experienced and dedicated legal advocate from Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you understand which laws may affect your case.
For instance, you will need to file your claim within the three-year statute of limitations under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530.
Meet with a Experienced Rental Car Accident Lawyer in Beaufort for Help Today
The aftermath of any type of motor vehicle wreck can feel overwhelming. Not being able to work and provide for yourself and your family, medical expenses that keep adding up, and the emotional toll of the accident can be too much to bear on your own.
Fortunately, your rental car accident attorney in Beaufort from Shelly Leeke Law Firm will be by your side throughout the claims process to ensure you get the most out of your claim.
With extensive knowledge of South Carolina’s tort laws and countless rental car accident cases, we understand the challenges you are facing. We will do everything in our power to maximize your payout. Contact our office, submit our quick contact form, or call us to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today.
