Whether you’re moving across the country, going on a business trip, or taking a vacation, renting a car or moving truck can help you get to your destination quickly and safely. But would you know what to do if you were involved in a Las Vegas rental car accident?
If this has happened to you, you may be wondering who to call (Your insurance? The rental car company?) and how you’ll pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and the damaged rental car. In this blog, the Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys answer all your questions about rental car liability.
How Do You Determine Who’s Liable for a Rental Car Accident?
When it comes to car insurance, Nevada is a fault state. This means that the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident is liable (i.e., responsible) for the damages incurred by everyone involved in the accident. Common causes of car accidents include drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, or violating other traffic laws. Damages may include property damage and injuries to the at-fault driver, their own passengers, and occupants in other vehicles, as well as bicyclists or pedestrians.
This process may become more complicated if the at-fault driver was driving a rental car or moving van, since more than one auto insurance policy may cover the collision. For this reason, if you have been injured or lost a loved one to wrongful death in a car accident that involved a rental car, it is prudent to consult an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure you’re getting full compensation.
Do Rental Cars Come With Liability Insurance?
Rental cars don’t automatically come with liability insurance. When you rent a car in Las Vegas, however, you will be offered multiple kinds of optional coverage. The first is called a loss-damage waiver (LDW) or a collision damage waiver (CDW). If you purchase a LDW or CDW and get into a rental car accident or the car is stolen, the rental car company will not come after you for damage to their property.
Another type of optional coverage commonly offered by rental car companies is supplemental liability protection. Supplemental liability protection provides coverage for any property damage you cause to another driver, usually up to $1-million.
Does Personal Liability Insurance Cover Rental Cars?
One reason why LDWs and supplemental liability protection are optional coverages is because some drivers may already have sufficient insurance coverage through their personal auto insurance policy. For example, if you carry collision and comprehensive coverage, that insurance usually will kick in if you cause any damage to the rental car.
Motorists are generally required to carry a minimum amount of property damage liability. This will apply to any property damage you cause to another person’s vehicle in an accident, even if you were driving a rental car. However, it won’t cover the rental car itself—so if you don’t have optional collision and comprehensive coverage on your personal auto insurance policy, it is a good idea to purchase a loss of collision damage waiver.
In the same vein, if you only have the minimum amount of liability coverage, you may decide to purchase supplemental liability protection in case you get into a serious accident in which your coverage limits are exceeded.
In terms of bodily injury liability, your personal car insurance policy will still cover third parties injured in a traffic accident you caused. However, bodily injury liability does not apply to you or your passengers. Coverage for injuries and medical bills must come from another type of insurance, whether that be personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments (MedPay) or through additional personal accident insurance purchased from the rental car agency.
Can Credit Cards Cover a Rental Car Accident?
In some cases, credit card companies may serve as a third resource of coverage after a rental car accident. Some but not all major credit card companies may offer property damage liability when you rent a car in your name and pay for it with your credit card. This coverage applies only to property damage done to the rental car, and may be subject to certain exclusions. You should contact your credit card company directly to find out the specific terms of their rental car insurance.
Injured by Someone Driving a Rental Car in Las Vegas?
If you or someone you love was injured in a Las Vegas car accident due to someone else’s negligence, either while driving a personal car, rental car, or in a rideshare, you could be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain, and suffering.
Figuring out what to do after an accident can be overwhelming, especially when you’re still recovering from your injuries. If you need help getting in touch with the right insurance companies and filing a claim, know that legal assistance is just one call away at ER Injury Attorneys. Our experienced personal injury lawyers have the experience, skill, and follow-through you need to obtain the settlement you deserve after an injury.
Whether you’re a Las Vegas local or were just visiting at the time of your accident, our law firm is here to assist you day or night. Call us 24/7 at 702-878-7878 to arrange your free, no obligation consultation. Our team will carefully review the details of your case and present you with all your legal options moving forward. Have questions? LiveChat agents are standing by to answer them online. You can even fill out this form to have your accident details forwarded directly to our office.