If you are involved in a car accident in South Carolina caused by someone else, the at-fault party is responsible for the cost of your rental vehicle after the incident. In this situation, the at-fault driver’s insurance company should cover the cost of your rental car. However, if the at-fault driver refuses to pay for your rental, you may need to hire a South Carolina car accident lawyer.
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we have many years of experience with auto accident cases in South Carolina. If you are involved in a car accident that occurs through no fault of your own, please let us know. Our South Carolina car accident attorney can take a look at your case and help you determine if now is the ideal time to file an auto accident lawsuit.
You Should Get a Rental Car as Soon as Possible After Your Accident
Following your South Carolina car accident, you may be left with no vehicle. For example, if a negligent motorist causes an accident that severely damages your car, you may need to have your vehicle repaired or replaced. Until you figure out the best solution, you may need a rental car.
Do not wait to request a rental car following your auto accident. In many instances, the cost to rent a car varies based on the type of vehicle you choose, the rental company, and other factors. Regardless, if someone else caused your auto accident, you can hold this individual responsible for any rental car costs you incur.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you pursue compensation for your rental car costs and any other damages you incur after your South Carolina auto accident. To learn more, please reach out to us. Our car accident lawyer in South Carolina can walk you through the process of requesting compensation as part of an auto accident claim.
What It Takes to Get a Rental Car Covered by an At-Fault Party
You can notify your insurance company about your auto accident in South Carolina right after it happens. At this point, your insurer works with the other motorist’s insurance company to figure out who is responsible for the incident. In cases where a negligent driver causes your accident, their insurance company should cover the cost of your rental car.
Along with rental car costs, you can request compensation from the negligent driver who caused your accident for other reasons, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
A car accident attorney in South Carolina can help you request damages if you were involved in a head-on collision or any other type of auto accident. They want to make sure you secure fair compensation for any damages you incur due to the accident. As such, your attorney can help you calculate your accident damages.
The Damages from a South Carolina Car Accident Can Be Significant
When you rent a car following an auto accident, you may be charged daily for it. If your car is unavailable for several weeks after your accident or you need to have it replaced altogether, you may wind up spending thousands of dollars on a rental. Meanwhile, if you do not hold the at-fault party for your car accident responsible for your rental car costs, you will have to pay these expenses out of your own pocket.
A South Carolina car accident lawyer encourages their clients to seek the most damages they can. The attorney knows the ins and outs of personal injury law and can answer any legal questions their clients have. In doing so, the lawyer makes sure their clients request sufficient compensation in any auto accident case.
When your attorney calculates your auto accident damages, they may find you can be awarded tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation. They can then file a car accident lawsuit for you that accounts for your rental car costs and any other damages. Your attorney will work in lockstep with you to help you get the damages you deserve.
What You Need to Do to Get Compensation for Your Rental Car and Other Car Accident Expenses
Your auto accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process and provide you with many legal resources. They will help you collect and assess evidence to support your request for compensation. Plus, they will help you prepare for your trial date.
Going to trial after a car accident may seem daunting at first. Your auto accident lawyer will make sure you know what to expect when you enter the courtroom. They may even conduct a mock trial with you to ensure you feel calm, cool, and collected on your trial date.
Of course, you may be able to negotiate a settlement before your auto accident case requires a trial. Your attorney will keep the lines of communication open with the defendant’s lawyer. If you receive a settlement offer, you can review it and decide how to proceed.
How to Respond to a Car Accident Settlement Proposal
You may get a settlement offer that accounts for your rental car costs and other expenses relating to your auto accident. Initially, the proposal may seem fair. However, it is important to review the offer with your attorney, and they can help you decide if it accounts for your short- and long-term needs.
Ultimately, you must decide whether to approve, decline, or counter a settlement offer. Your attorney can offer legal guidance and help you analyze all aspects of a settlement proposal. That way, they can help you make a decision about it that lines up with your best interests.
If you are not completely satisfied with a settlement offer, you should not hesitate to reject it. You can then continue to work with your attorney to strengthen your case. If necessary, your case will go to trial, and a judge or jury will choose whether to award damages.
Get the Legal Help You Need to Win or Settle Your Car Accident Case
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm is here to help you with your car accident case. For more information or to request a free case assessment, please contact us today.
