Rental Car Accidents in New Jersey: What Residents Should Know

By Ferrara & Gable | June 1, 2022

If you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car, what should you do? This is a question that many New Jersey residents may find themselves asking. There are some important first steps to take after being involved in a rental car accident. It is also important to know when to contact the insurance companies and when to contact a personal injury attorney after a car crash. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to speak with an experienced New Jersey car accident attorney who can help you recover compensation for your damages.

After a New Jersey Rental Car Accident

After an accident, the first thing that you should do is seek medical attention for any injuries that you may have sustained. Once you have been seen by a doctor, you should then contact your insurance company to report the accident. You will need to provide them with the details of the accident, as well as any information on the other drivers involved. You should also take pictures of the damage to both vehicles and get the contact information for any witnesses to the accident.

Insurance vs. Personal Injury Litigation

It is important to note that, in New Jersey, you are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This type of insurance will cover your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, PIP will only cover a certain amount of your expenses. If you have sustained serious injuries, you may find that your medical expenses exceed the coverage limit of your PIP insurance. In this case, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in order to recover compensation for your damages.

Common Defenses From Rental Car Companies

If you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car, the rental car company may attempt to defend themselves from liability. They may claim that the accident was due to your negligence or that you were not properly insured. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to investigate your case and determine who is truly at fault for the accident.

Proving Negligence in New Jersey

In order to recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident. In New Jersey, negligence is defined as the failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances. This means that the other driver must have failed to use the same level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have used under the same circumstances. If you can prove that the other driver was negligent, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.

An Experienced New Jersey Rental Car Accident Attorney Can Help

If you have been involved in a rental car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in New Jersey. The attorneys at Ferrara & Gable have extensive experience handling motor vehicle accident cases and can help you recover the compensation that you deserve.  For years, the attorneys at Ferrara & Gable have been helping personal injury victims in New Jersey fight for compensation for their injuries.  Contact Ferrara & Gable today to discuss your case.

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Posted in Motor Vehicle Accident