CAN YOU GET A RENTAL CAR AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT IN NORTH CAROLINA?
After getting into a car accident in North Carolina, it is likely that your car has experienced at least some, if not large amounts of damage. As such, it may be difficult or impossible to drive your car until it gets repaired or until your old one is deemed totaled by the insurance company and you receive a check to purchase a new car. Because of this, can you get a rental car after a car accident in North Carolina?
Rental Car Coverage
One of the first things you should do to see if you can get a rental car after a car accident in North Carolina is to see if your own insurance has Rental Car Coverage. Rental Car Coverage is an additional part of your car insurance policy that provides a rental car for your use after a car accident. This rental car is paid for by your insurance company. To get this coverage, you must have included it in your car insurance policy before the accident. Typically, to get the benefit of this coverage, you must contact your insurance agent immediately after your accident. Depending on your insurance company, the agent may immediately rent you a car or conduct a short investigation (typically a few days) before authorizing the rental. Once authorized, you will be able to use this rental car until your car is either repaired or classified as totaled.
At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company
Another way to see if you can get a rental car after a car accident in North Carolina is through the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company. In North Carolina, the at-fault driver is obligated to provide a rental car to the other driver in a car accident. Typically, because of car insurance, this responsibility falls on the at-fault driver’s insurance company, which will pay for the rental car. However, in order to get a rental car, you must contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company and the insurance company must accept your request. Before the insurance company will do this, they will typically conduct a brief investigation before making a decision.
At-Fault Driver
If the at-fault driver’s insurance company rejects your request, the at-fault driver is still personally responsible for paying for your rental car. However, if the at-fault driver’s insurance company denies your request, the at-fault driver may use this decision as a basis for refusing to personally pay for the rental car as well. Because of this, the only way to receive any money from the driver would be to file a lawsuit against the driver. However, although you may win the suit, the time required to obtain this judgement will mean that you are not likely not receive any money to pay for the car rental until long after you have returned and paid for the rental car.
Contact Us
If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to Contact Us at Minick Law for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case. Call us 828-333-5024.
