Reyes Browne Reilley is ecstatic to announce its support in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving– North Texas (MADD). As the top organization in leading the charge against drunk driving accidents that take lives and leave injuries, MADD continues its success in preventing the preventable. Consequently, it only made sense for our firm, one of the top plaintiff firms in Dallas, to join forces with an organization with the same mission.
Read MoreTexas Oil Fields See More Traffic Fatalities
While speeding remains the number one cause of traffic fatalities in Texas, it is a surprise to no one that distracted driving is creeping closer to the top. What is more surprising, is that traffic fatalities are happening at higher rates in the booming oil and gas industrial areas in Texas rather than the more populated metropolitan areas. There have been almost as many traffic deaths happening in the vicinity of five of the largest oil locations in Texas than the rest of the state
Read MoreWho Will Pay My Rental Car After My Car Accident?
After a car accident, which was not any fault of your own, you have two different options you can take to get your rental car covered. This all depends upon what coverage you have on your own insurance policy, but for the sake of this question, we will assume you have a renter’s reimbursement policy on your own car insurance. In either case, you are 100% entitled to receive a rental vehicle paid by either your own insurance or the liable party’s insurance.
Using your own policy
Using your own policy has its own set of pros and cons. Starting with the pros; getting a rental with your own policy is far easier and quicker to obtain your rental or replacement vehicle while yours is in the shop. This might be your best choice if you are in a pinch and need a vehicle at once. You do not have to wait for any red tape to use the services that you paid for in your premiums every month. However, most people fear that if they are not at fault and they use their own insurance that their insurance will hold it against them and decide to raise their rates. Fear not, for your insurance company will square-up the funds with the adverse company on their own once your rental car claim with the liable insurance reaches an approval.
Contrarily, there are a few hiccups that come along with having your own insurance take over the bill for your rental or replacement car. Your own rental insurance holds you to your own policy allowances. This means you may only be able to rent a vehicle for their $30 a day rate which may not get you the vehicle you want or a comparable vehicle to your own current car that is in the shop. Another issue that arises is the duration of your rental. Your policy may only allow for a month’s worth of a rental vehicle and it may take longer to fix your vehicle, or it may take longer to find a new vehicle in the event the insurance declares yours a total loss.
Using the Negligent Party’s Insurance
When you begin to hold the negligent party accountable and utilize their insurance policy, it’s usually obvious that you will be waiting on a lot of red tape. Overall, it will be worth the wait for their insurance adjuster to clear you for your rental claim. The reason being is it allows you to have more freedom in your choices and the duration of your rental.
The adverse insurance rightfully owes you a comparable vehicle to what you were driving. Also, you can use that rental for as long as it takes for you to get your car repaired or until you find a new car of your choosing. This may take a few weeks to receive the rental/replacement, however, it is going to make life a little easier later if you can stand to be patient.
It is wise to use the time it takes to clear the red tape with the opposing insurance to treat any and all injuries you suffered during the wreck. While you have time off from work to recover, have your claim for a rental filed with the opposing company’s adjuster. In the meantime, continue with your rehabilitation and recovery process in peace.
Need More Help With Your Car Rental Questions?
In the end, all these options are dependent upon what will work for you and the insurance policies at hand. If you have any more questions or need help getting a rental car after your wreck, call our Dallas car wreck attorneys now for a complimentary consultation. The adverse insurance company is working to minimize your claim as you read this. While they mount their defense, you could be hiring the best car accident injury attorneys to take handle every need of yours after your wreck.
When Should You Get a Lawyer For a Car Accident?
Your car accident can make life extremely difficult. From the difficult questions, treatment of injuries, and even repairing or replacing your car. Car accidents certainly do not make your life any easier.
Read MoreWhat if my driver’s license or vehicle registration was expired when the car wreck occurred?
Similar to your insurance (or immigration) status, your vehicle registration or your driver’s license status won’t necessarily be relevant in a courtroom if you are not the driver at fault.
Your “status” also won’t prevent you from making your auto accident injury claim, or having a jury trial, against the person who caused the wreck.
What if the driver who caused my truck wreck had a past history of drug or alcohol violations?
If you are hit by a truck driver with previous drug or alcohol related convictions, it could absolutely affect your truck wreck case against the company who employed that driver. It can demonstrate negligence on many levels such as hiring, supervision, retention, training, and more. When a trucking company knowingly (or accidentally) hires drivers with past drug and alcohol problems, they are shirking a greater responsibility to ensure their trucks are operated safely on public roads.
So yes, a truck driver’s history with drugs or alcohol would likely be considered by a jury when they deliberate on your truck wreck case. Many large settlements or jury verdicts result in strong recoveries for truck wreck injury plaintiffs because of the irresponsible conduct of the company employing the driver, and not just the negligence of the intoxicated driver.
“In the outcome, [they] far exceeded my expectations.”
Jake was involved in an accident in Coppell TX and called our law firm in order to get the best legal help he could find. Today he shares his review after his case has concluded of our DFW car accident lawyers.
Read MoreHow long does it take to settle an auto accident case?
Every auto accident injury case is very different, and the time it can take can range from weeks to months (or even years). Oftentimes, catastrophic injury cases with higher insurance limits, where our experienced car accident trial lawyers are seeking millions of dollars, take much longer to make that recovery because they often involve lawsuits. So the range of time can be very drastic, from a few months to a couple years. And if there are appeals (when the defendant loses in court), it could take even longer. But generally, it can take between six months and a year, on average.
If I get injured in a car wreck, but do not have insurance, what are my rights?
If you didn’t cause your injury car wreck, and you didn’t have liability insurance at that time, that fact alone will not prevent you from making a claim or going to court against the person who caused your injuries.
Your insurance (or immigration) status will not prevent our Dallas-Fort Worth car accident attorneys from helping you bring your case against the adverse party who’s negligence caused the wreck and your injuries.
How quickly should I contact an attorney after an injury car wreck?
After a car wreck you have no fault in, it is extremely important to contact an experienced Dallas car wreck attorney immediately.
The insurance companies often have people working for them immediately after an auto accident to ensure they can defend their insured driver (aka: the other person in your wreck). It is imperative you are in the same position to go up against those big insurance companies.
In cases where very serious injuries or death occurs, contact with an attorney is even more urgent. That way a personal injury attorney can ensure no evidence is lost and remains protected so justice can be brought to that case.