The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides a choice no-fault scheme when it comes to car accidents. By default, all drivers must carry a personal injury protection (PIP) policy of at least $10,000 to cover injury-related expenses for themselves, household members, and passengers, regardless of fault. Drivers may opt out of this coverage but must still maintain liability insurance to cover damages they cause to others.
When rental car accidents in Florence occur, determining who is responsible for paying for the financial and psychological harm caused to injured parties can be challenging and is dependent on the circumstances of a crash. An experienced car accident lawyer from Busald Funk Zevely can provide a free case evaluation and help those injured in this type of accident understand their legal options for seeking compensation.
Liability for Accidents Involving a Rental Car
Liability is the legal responsibility for failing to take reasonable actions to prevent harm. On Florence’s public roads and highways, drivers must maintain their vehicles, drive cautiously, and follow traffic laws. Despite the choice no-fault insurance system, drivers remain responsible for covering injury-related costs if they cause an accident. Personal injury claims require filing for compensation through the appropriate insurance policy.
As if filing an injury claim in a no-fault system was not confusing enough, when the accident in Florence involves negligence on the part of a driver in a rental car, there can be more layers of insurance policies that can potentially be accessed for compensation. Claimants may seek compensation through multiple policies, including the rental car company’s required liability insurance, the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance, and their own personal injury protection coverage.
The Injury Claims Process and How a Lawyer Can Help
When a rental car accident in Florence results in injury, the injured party can seek compensation for economic losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle damage. They may also pursue damages for non-economic impacts such as pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. To obtain compensation, they must file a claim with supporting evidence against the relevant insurance policy. If the insurer fails to offer a fair settlement, the claimant can file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court, typically within two years of the accident or the date the claimant’s last personal injury protection payment was sent.
A lawyer could provide legal guidance to those who have been injured and help their clients determine all insurance resources. They could value the claim based on factors such as the severity of the claimant’s injury and the level of carelessness exhibited by the at-fault rental car driver. They can communicate with the insurance adjuster to negotiate a settlement, file a lawsuit, and prepare the case for court. If no settlement is agreed to by the trial date, the lawyer could present the case to a judge or jury. After the case, they could ensure that the claimant receives the money from their negotiated settlement or court verdict.
Busald Funk Zevely Handles Cases Involving Florence Rental Car Accidents
Our legal team has decades of experience handling claims involving rental car accidents in Florence. We aggressively advocate for our clients to receive the maximum compensation available to them. To learn more about your legal options, contact us today for a free case evaluation.