Car accidents can happen unexpectedly for various reasons, but rental car accidents tend to raise more complex legal issues for those involved. If you or a loved one was recently involved in an accident while driving a rental car, or if a driver in a rented vehicle caused an accident with you, an experienced Shallotte rental car accident lawyer is an invaluable resource as you seek compensation for your damages.
The team at Christina Rivenbark & Associates has years of professional experience handling a wide range of complex motor vehicle accident cases in Shallotte, including those involving rental cars. We know the various insurance-related complications you are likely to encounter in the aftermath of a rental car accident, and we have the tools and experience necessary to help maximize your recovery.
Our firm can take time to carefully review the details of how your accident happened, your most viable options for recovering your losses, and what you can expect from an insurance claim filing process. Ultimately, your recovery from a rental car accident could be a complex and multifaceted series of legal proceedings, and an experienced Shallotte rental car accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset for all stages of your recovery efforts.
The state requires a driver to prove fault for their recent accident before they can recover any compensation for their damages. Most vehicle accidents in Brunswick County happen from negligence, or failure to use reasonable care in certain situations. Distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations are the most common examples of this. Accidents may also occur from illegal acts such as driving while intoxicated (DWI).
A Shallotte rental car accident lawyer can help their client gather any evidence necessary to establish fault. This could include eyewitness testimony from anyone who saw an accident happen, physical evidence from the scene of the crash, digital records like cell phone data and traffic camera footage, and even expert witness testimony. Remember that a plaintiff cannot claim compensation if they share fault under the contributory negligence rule.
Once you have proven the exact cause of your accident and identified the party or parties responsible for causing it, you can proceed with claiming compensation for your damages. This can be a difficult process following a rental car accident. Whether you were driving a rental and had purchased insurance through the rental company or another driver in a rented vehicle hit you, legal counsel can make navigating your insurance claim filing process much easier.
When a rental company’s insurance comes into play after an accident, this coverage may compensate you for only a fraction of your total losses. It’s possible that you will need to pay for some of your expenses out of your own pocket and then file a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver to recover reimbursement. It is also possible to encounter unexpected problems in your interactions with an insurance company.
Once an insurance carrier notices that you have legal representation, they will be far less inclined to attempt any bad-faith handling of your case. Your Shallotte rental car accident lawyer can help you file your insurance claim, respond to any issues you encounter with the insurance carrier, and then verify that your settlement offer is fair and reasonable under the terms of the policy.
Auto insurance may not be enough to cover all the damages from a serious accident in Brunswick County. In this situation, the victim will need to file a personal injury suit against whoever is responsible for causing the accident. Liability could fall to more than one party, and your Shallotte rental car accident lawyer can assist you in determining the target or targets of your personal injury claim.
Under North Carolina’s personal injury statutes, a plaintiff has the right to seek full repayment of all the direct financial losses they suffered from a defendant’s negligence or illegal misconduct. These economic damages generally include vehicle repair costs and other property damage, medical treatment costs, lost wages, and lost future earning capacity if they have been permanently disabled by their injuries.
Immediate economic damages are relatively straightforward and proven with the appropriate documentation. Long-term economic damages are more difficult to assess without an experienced attorney’s help. Beyond these economic damages, a plaintiff also has the right to seek compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced, and there is no limit to the amount they can claim in a motor vehicle accident case.
In Shallotte, NC, liability for your rental car accident may fall to another driver, but it is also possible for the rental company to bear fault. These companies are responsible for maintaining their rental vehicles, and if they allow a vehicle to be rented without performing appropriate maintenance, they could face liability for an accident resulting from a mechanical fault.
You have a very limited time in which to pursue compensation for your damages after any accident in Brunswick County. Your recovery process is likely to begin with an auto insurance claim, and you have only a few days in which to file the claim. If you want to file a personal injury suit against the party responsible for the accident, you must do so within the statute of limitations, which is two years from the date your injury occurred.
It’s important to find an attorney you can trust as soon as possible after any rental car accident in Shallotte. Your legal team can help gather proof of liability, help you navigate the complex auto insurance claim filing process, and build a comprehensive personal injury suit for you that aims for maximum compensation for your damages. Christina Rivenbark & Associates is ready to provide the legal counsel you need for your impending case.
Our firm has built a solid reputation as a leading choice for personal injury representation in Shallotte and the surrounding communities of Brunswick County. We know you are likely to have many pressing legal questions that you are unable to answer on your own, and the sooner you connect with our team, the sooner we can start building your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Shallotte rental car accident lawyer to learn how we can assist you.