Rental Car Accidents in Philadelphia

Newcomers to the City of Brotherly Love often find themselves confused by Philadelphia’s narrow side streets and irregular layout, and that confusion can be exacerbated even more when they are driving a rental car they are unfamiliar with. Unfortunately, that means rental car drivers are often more likely to cause wrecks—and when they do, the process of seeking financial recovery afterward can be complex.

If a rental car accident in Philadelphia has left you injured, you should contact a qualified motor vehicle collision lawyer as soon as possible. Whether your case involves filing several insurance claims, suing a negligent driver directly, or a combination of both, a knowledgeable legal professional’s guidance will be essential to getting the best possible result.

Are Rental Car Companies Ever Liable for Accidents?

In the aftermath of a crash in Philadelphia involving a rental car driver, the first instinct of many victims is often to sue the rental car company that provided that vehicle to the negligent driver. Generally speaking, though, rental car companies are not liable for the negligent actions of paying customers to whom they rented vehicles. However, there are some exceptions.

If a rental company employee knowingly hands the keys over to someone who is obviously unqualified to drive—for example, because they were visibly drunk or they did not have a valid driver’s license—they could be liable for a resulting crash. Rental car companies are also expected to keep their vehicles in reasonably safe driving conditions. So, if a rental car is involved in a wreck specifically because of a mechanical malfunction, that might open the company that owns that car up to liability. Of course, that could also open up the vehicle’s mechanics or manufacturers to liability as well.

Recovering Through Insurance After a Rental Car Wreck

While insurance companies being involved in a car accident claim is hardly unique to accidents involving Philadelphia rental cars, there are often more insurance policies that come into play during this type of case. In addition to their own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, someone injured in this kind of accident may be able to file a claim against:

• The personal auto insurance held by a negligent rental car driver
• Any additional insurance coverage provided by the rental car company to that driver for an added fee

This can give rental car crash victims more options for recovering comprehensively for all their damages. However, it is worth emphasizing that it is not possible to recover twice for the same damages across multiple insurance claims. There are also certain types of losses, especially non-economic ones—like physical pain and suffering—which insurance will rarely cover. A skilled legal representative can help pursue compensation for these damages through a separate third-party lawsuit.

Learn More About Rental Car Accident Litigation from a Philadelphia Attorney

People driving rental cars have the same duty of care as people driving their own personal vehicles, which means they can be held liable for causing car crashes while driving a rented vehicle. In practice, though, rental car accidents in Philadelphia can be challenging to seek fair recovery for—especially if the person at fault for the crash returns to their home state before proceedings begin.

Getting help from a knowledgeable lawyer can make a world of difference in how effectively you can enforce your rights and what outcome your claim ultimately has. Call Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys, today for dedicated legal assistance.