Rental cars are a convenient travel option when you’re out of town. A rental car accident can quickly become complicated and stressful. You have to deal with the physical and emotional injuries associated with any car accident, but then contend with a much more complicated insurance and legal process. Get the help you need from a Charlotte car accident lawyer from Shane Smith Law.
With over 100 years of combined experience, we are well-equipped to manage your accident with efficiency. Reach out to a rental car accident lawyer in Charlotte. We want to see you get justice for your losses.
A Charlotte Rental Car Accident Attorney Can Provide Immediate Guidance
A Charlotte personal injury lawyer can help you take the right steps to protect yourself and build a claim for compensation after a rental car accident. You’ll need to notify the rental company and your insurance company. If you report the accident to these parties before speaking to a lawyer, limit your remarks to the basic facts of the accident: time, date, and location.
Don’t say anything that could imply you hold any fault for the accident. Then, partner with an attorney so your lawyer can handle additional communication with these parties, or advise you on how to respond to their questions.
If you’re driving a rental car, chances are you are in an unfamiliar area. It’s very important to see a doctor after a crash, and an attorney can explain where to get medical treatment after a Charlotte car crash. We can also initiate an immediate investigation into the crash to gather evidence supporting your accident claim.
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Charlotte, call (980) 246-2656
How Does Insurance Work in Rental Car Accidents
A Charlotte rental car accident lawyer can deal with the unique insurance considerations that come with rental car accidents. In North Carolina, to register a vehicle, you must purchase coverage meeting the state’s minimum liability vehicle insurance requirements. Still, that liability coverage doesn’t cover your injuries. If you caused the accident, that coverage doesn’t necessarily cover damage to the rental.
You might have purchased additional insurance from the rental company. Most companies offer a “collision damage waiver” and “loss damage waiver” (CDW and LDW, respectively). The credit card you used to rent the vehicle could also include secondary insurance for rentals. Your own auto insurance may also extend to the rental car.
The At-Fault Party’s Insurance
When another driver causes the crash, their insurance may be responsible for paying damages. They could owe the rental company for property damage and owe you compensation for your injuries and other accident-related consequences.
These insurance possibilities emphasize some reasons you need a lawyer after a car accident. You’re vulnerable after an accident and may not recognize if you’re being treated unfairly. If you’re not in your home state, you’re also in unfamiliar legal territory. An experienced rental car accident attorney in Charlotte can look out for your best interests.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (980) 246-2656
Secure Legal Representation as Soon as Possible
A prompt partnership with Shane Smith Law provides you with immediate protection and guidance, and gives you a stronger chance of seeing a favorable outcome to your injury claim. A favorable outcome largely depends on the strength of your evidence.
Our team carries out exhaustive accident investigations. We have better opportunities to gather evidence when we get to work soon after the crash. Witnesses are easier to locate, and their memories are more reliable. We know how to get traffic camera footage in Charlotte, but as time passes, there’s a higher risk that footage could get lost or erased.
Per Statute G.S. 1-52 Page 1 § 1‑52, North Carolina sets three years as the deadline for filing an accident claim with the court. If the at-fault party’s representatives refuse to offer you a fair settlement, you may need to take your case to court. You can count on us for aggressive, effective representation. Still, we can only provide that courtroom advocacy if you meet the filing deadline.
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How North Carolina’s Personal Injury Laws Affect Your Claim
Personal injury laws don’t travel. The personal injury laws for the state where the accident occurs govern your claim’s procedures. North Carolina’s car accident laws can present serious challenges for victims.
The North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI) explains that victims can only seek damages if they bear no fault for the crash after an accident. For you to collect damages, you must show that the other party (or parties) bear the full blame.
The other side will work diligently to have you assigned blame, even just a small percentage. If they succeed, they could avoid paying you back for your losses. Our team knows how this system works and how to build a claim to show both the other side’s negligence and your lack of culpability.
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Fight for Maximum Damages
Every case is different, and the unique factors of your accident affect the value of your claim. We can assure you that we will fight for the maximum damages available in your situation.
Economic damages represent a monetary award covering your financial losses. They include your medical costs, income lost during recovery, and other costs incurred by the crash. If you need ongoing medical treatment and sustain injuries that will leave you permanently unable to work, we will account for those future losses in the demand.
Non-economic damages acknowledge your physical pain and emotional trauma. They recognize the value of your reduced enjoyment of life. The other side will try to downplay your losses. Our team will work to present evidence to support the demanded amount.
Where the Fight for Damages Happens
The fight for damages starts at the negotiating table. It often ends there, too. We will send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s representatives. They will respond, usually with a lower offer. Negotiations continue until the sides agree on an amount. Once you accept a settlement, the case is over.
Sometimes, the other side does not negotiate in good faith. They cancel meeting dates. They refuse to acknowledge the value of your claim. We don’t encourage clients to settle for less just to end cases. We will explain the option of going to court and the potential outcomes. If you opt for a trial and receive a favorable outcome, you’ll be compensated through a trial award.
Shane Smith Law is Here for You
You might feel like it’s you against the rental car and insurance companies and North Carolina’s personal injury system after a rental car accident. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Shane Smith Law is on your side. A Charlotte rental car accident lawyer can support you and fight for you from start to finish.
Call or text (980) 246-2656 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
