Rental Car Accidents in Palm Springs

Given how much tourism the area sees annually, rental cars are hardly rare around Palm Springs, especially during the warmer summer months. However, people driving around unfamiliar areas in unfamiliar vehicles are much more likely to end up accidentally involved in wrecks than people driving their own car around their hometown, a fact that you may have unfortunately just learned the hard way.

Between questions of legal liability, the involvement of stingy auto insurance companies, and the sometimes confusing dictates of California state law, seeking fair financial recovery from rental car accidents in Palm Springs can be deceptively difficult. Fortunately, the dedicated car accident attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group are here to guide you through your legal proceedings and ensure your claim has the best possible resolution for you.

Are Rental Car Companies Ever Liable for Wrecks?

The first question for most people after they get injured in a wreck caused by a rental car driver in Palm Springs is whether they can hold the rental car company that leased the vehicle at fault for the driver’s negligence. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is generally “no” because once a renter picks up the keys and drives off the rental agency’s lot, they assume full responsibility for their actions behind the wheel.

However, the answer may be different if a crash involving a rental car occurs partly or primarily because of a mechanical problem with the rental vehicle itself or if the rental company allowed someone who was visibly drunk or who did not have a valid driver’s license to rent a car from them. In those scenarios, the rental car company may have failed in its legal duty of care toward the people of Palm Springs, and a skilled auto accident lawyer may be able to help pursue legal action against them.

How Comparative Fault Could Impact Recovery Efforts

Most recovery efforts after Palm Springs rental car crashes will center around negotiations with insurance companies, either the one representing the rental car company if the renter elected to purchase optional coverage from them or the one(s) representing the at-fault driver(s). However, any “comparative fault” an injured person is found to hold for causing their auto accident injuries through their own negligence will likely be held against them as a proportional reduction from any money available to them, whether they are dealing with insurance adjusters or a civil court judge.

It is worth mentioning that California’s Proposition 213 of 1996 means uninsured drivers are ineligible to seek civil compensation for “pain and suffering” after an auto accident, even if someone else was entirely to blame for that accident. Guidance from capable legal counsel could be key to navigating these challenges after a rental car wreck.

Contact a Palm Springs Attorney for Help With a Rental Car Accident Lawsuit

Although driving around a new city can be intimidating, you have the same duty of care when driving a rental car as you do while driving any other vehicle. If someone else violated that duty and caused you harm, they, and not you, should pay financially for your ensuing injuries and losses.

After a rental car accident in Palm Springs, working with a respected car accident lawyer could improve your chances of success. Call Walter Clark Legal Group today for a free consultation.