Have you or a loved one been injured in a Chicago rental car accident? Get help from the experienced lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers. Each personal injury lawyer on our team is here to help you understand the legal process and get the compensation you deserve.
In this Article
What Do Car Rental Companies Require?
Typically, you need a valid driver’s license, a credit card in the driver’s name, and sometimes an additional form of identification.
Rental age requirements vary, but most rental car agencies set the minimum age at 21 or 25. Younger drivers may face additional fees.
What Happens in the Event of an Accident?
In the unfortunate event of an accident:
Make sure everyone involved in the rental car crash is safe and seek medical attention if needed.
Report the accident to the rental car company and local authorities.
Take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to the vehicles involved.
Get contact information from any witnesses.
Do not admit fault or sign any paperwork without discussing it with your lawyer first.
Contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers for guidance on how to proceed with your case.
Do I Need a Lawyer When I’ve Been Injured in a Rental Car Accident?
Yes. If you were seriously injured in an accident in a rental car—whether the accident was your fault or not—it may be helpful to discuss your rental car case with an attorney. We can help you by:
Helping you understand your rental car agreement
Clarifying your legal rights and explaining the intricacies of rental car accidents
Evaluating your case to determine if you have the basis for an insurance claim or lawsuit
Negotiating with the insurance company and the car rental company
Guiding you through the claims process
Representing you in court, if the settlement is not fair or reasonable
Handling all communication with the car rental agency and the insurance company, allowing you to focus on healing
What Happens When I Have a Rental Car Accident?
When you hire a car, you’re expected to return it as you found it. If an accident happens, even if it’s not your fault, the rental company may hold you responsible for damage, based on your rental agreement and contract.
Rental car insurance is typically necessary when renting a vehicle. It can be from your personal auto insurer or the rental car agency.
If your insurance is insufficient, you could be accountable for unforeseen damages. Therefore, consulting your own insurance company or a lawyer who is knowledgeable about car insurance and rental laws, can be beneficial.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rental Vehicle Accident Claim?
When you are a rental car driver in Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including a rental vehicle accident claim, is typically two years from the date of the accident (735 ILCS 5/13-202). However, certain circumstances may affect this timeline, so it’s recommended to seek legal counsel promptly.
Types of Rental Car Accident Insurance
It is always important to know what kind of insurance policies you have if you intend to use them for a rental car, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
Commonly used by rental car drivers, insurance types include:
Rental Car Company Insurance
Rental companies often offer extra car insurance. This isn’t required but could cover damages from accidents involving rental cars. Review multiple insurance companies’ choices, including those offered by your own auto insurance company and credit card policies.
Personal Car Insurance
Your personal auto insurance may extend to rental vehicles. If you lack personal coverage, the rental company can provide its own auto insurance policy. Should an accident occur, your policy, depending on fault, can bear the costs. Personal accident insurance accommodates accident-induced injury expenses, subject to policy specifics.
Collision Damage Waiver
Collision damage waiver covers rental cars, car repairs, theft, or accident costs and:
Protects you from having to pay rental car replacement and repair costs
Exceptions may include reckless driving or if the vehicle was driven by an unauthorized driver
Policiesvary from company to company, so ask the car rental company agent about coverage
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage on your insurance policy pays for others’ property damage and medical expenses if you’re at fault in an accident.
Rental car companies typically offer liability coverage that is equal to the state’s minimum liability coverage requirement. In Illinois the minimum insurance requirements for rental car crashes are:
$25,000 in coverage for injury or death of one person in an accident
$50,000 in coverage for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
$20,000 in coverage for damage to property of another person
Credit Card Company Coverage
Credit cards may offer primary rental car insurance. Be sure to check the policy details for insurance coverage and restrictions.
What Compensation May Be Available in a Chicago Rental Car Accident?
Some compensable losses from your rental vehicle accidents or car accidents may include:
Pain and suffering
Disability
Medical bills and medical expenses
Lost income
Reduced future earning capacity
The cost of physical therapy and mental health counseling
Contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC, Accident and Injury Lawyers, our dedicated team of accident and injury lawyers is committed to helping you navigate the aftermath of a rental car accident. We understand the complexities of a rental auto insurance policy and vehicle accidents, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Call Us for a Free Consultation
In a free consultation, our experienced attorneys will assess your case, provide legal advice, and discuss possible routes to pursue compensation. We will answer your questions, explain your rights, and outline the next steps in your rental car accident claim. There is no financial or legal obligation for this first meeting.
How Can I Afford an Attorney for My Rental Car Accident Case?
Uncertain about affording a Chicago rental car accident lawyer? Rest assured, at The Kryder Law Group, LLC, Accident and Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we’re only paid when you secure a settlement.
Let us help you get justice for your injuries and losses. We are here to support you in your time of need.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!