Rental vehicles are present in many major cities, and as such, there are numerous accidents that can arise for a variety of reasons. By being prepared in the event of an accident, you can maximize the potential for your earnings from a lawsuit. It is important that you understand the laws regarding rental car accidents whether you are operating one or involved in a crash with one. You may be able to target the rental car agency and receive compensation if certain circumstances were met. No matter what the situation, you should always look to legal counsel for more assistance. Our team of expert attorneys at the top-rated Normandie Law Firm in Los Angeles has litigated numerous rental agency lawsuits and has earned millions of dollars for our clients. A company like Thrifty has a responsibility to other drivers on the road when providing individuals with rental cars, and any Thrifty injury claims should be handled to the fullest extent of the law. Clients usually ask us questions about such claims; examples include:
- What kind of lawyer do I need to sue Thrifty for an injury?
- Can I sue Thrifty for an accident?
- How to file a lawsuit for an injury against Thrifty rental car?
- How to file a lawsuit for an accident against Thrifty rental car?
Reasons for Rental Car Accidents
Car accidents happen for many reasons, but one of the most common is simply negligent driving. Those who are in rental cars are more often than not unfamiliar with the local laws, roads, and tendencies of other drivers, which can be confusing. For example, a couple from rural Minnesota may fly into Los Angeles and rent a car for a week, which can be a drastic change on the roads. There is more potential for an accident to happen because of the increased stress and bustling commute, as well as the need to use something to navigate.
Some of the major reasons that car crashes with rental vehicles occur include:
- Operating a GPS or smartphone while driving
- Texting or calling while driving
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Changing lanes without using a turn signal
- Merging onto the freeway too slowly
- Driving while impaired from medication, drugs, or alcohol
- Ignoring the right of way for other vehicles
- Running stop signs and traffic lights
- Not checking for other road occupants, such as cyclists
These occurrences often lead to rear-end accidents, head-on collisions, sideswipes, and more. Some rental car users are more likely to get into accidents because they do not own the vehicles or have to pay the full repair costs or suffer the impacts and consequences that would come from a wreck. A traveler could get into an accident and still have his own personal vehicle to go to work with the next week and not worry about mechanic costs or other fees for alternative transportation.
It is in your best bet to take legal action against the company. When someone asks if we can help them, the answer is yes, we can sue Thrifty; we have handled numerous Thrifty car crash claims over the years.
Filing a Lawsuit Based on Negligence
If you were struck by an individual who was driving a Thrifty rental car, you could take legal action. All drivers on the road owe others a duty of care, and negligently violating that duty can be grounds for a lawsuit. You must show four points when filing such a claim: that you were owed a duty of care, the duty was breached, the breach led to an accident, and the accident caused physical harm. Therefore, if the driver operated the vehicle and made decisions that could be considered negligent and contributed to an accident, you could sue him for legal compensation. Any of the aforementioned reasons for accidents can be used as grounds; if you need to learn how to sue Thrifty for an accident, reach out to one of our lawyers. When dealing with rental cars, you will likely not be able to sue the rental car company. This is because an agency like Thrifty merely provides vehicles for drivers to operate; they do not provide chauffeurs, so they cannot be held partially responsible for the actions of the drivers.
When an individual rents a car from Thrifty, he is usually given a collision waiver; this means that any cosmetic damage to the car will be covered by the rental agency and the driver will not be responsible for the expenses. This waiver only applies to car damages, and any liability coverage, or physical harm, is not included.
There are two specific circumstances in which you can file a claim against Thrifty, however. For one, Thrifty must always take care to maintain their rental vehicles. If they do not provide working, defect-free cars to their customers, they could be in violation of their terms and held accountable for any damages as per the law. Once cars return from customers, Thrifty employees are to inspect the cars and ensure that there are no problems, such as faulty brakes, engine issues, transmission trouble, and others. Further, a sudden problem can still be blamed on the company, such as an airbag that deployed for no reason. If a defective automobile contributed to the accident, you could sue Thrifty.
Additionally, Thrifty must ensure that it does not rent its vehicles to anyone who cannot legally operate them. This means that renters must be over the age of 21, possess auto insurance, and have a valid driver’s license. At times, Thrifty has rented vehicles to people who had suspended licenses or who did not have any private auto insurance. Accidents, therefore, can become messy affairs, but you can still hold Thrifty accountable for renting the vehicle out in the first place, even though the driver was also at fault.
So when individuals ask, “Can you sue Thrifty for an accident,” we always answer the same way: yes, you can sue Thrifty, and we can help.
Sample Settlements
A Thrifty accident claim can yield numerous amounts of compensation, but there is no calculator that will determine the worth of a case by inputting numbers. Insurance agents will deliberate over the value and negotiate with our attorneys to come up with a fair settlement offer. It is helpful for you to regard other sample settlements to understand what can possibly be earned. Keep in mind, though, that these samples are not indicators of what you will earn, just what you are capable of receiving.
- $3,600,000 Settlement: A man suffered a brain injury after a rental car vehicle that he was driving lost control and slammed into a barrier on the highway. The rental car had a maintenance issue which caused it to stop working and leave the runway. He was able to sue the agency for compensation.
- $15,000,000 Verdict: A rental car company was hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit after one of its vehicles contributed to an accident that killed two young girls. The rental agency provided a recalled car to the family; the car had a defect which caused it to hit a truck and erupt in flames.
You should consult with an experienced attorney if you plan on filing a Thrifty car rental claim.
Compensation from a Crash
In the event of a car crash with Thrifty rental car, you could potentially earn ample coverage for damages stemming from the incident. Our accomplished lawyers can help ensure that you do not cover your own expenses if you were not responsible for the accident. You may be able to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering (PTSD, anxiety, fear, psychological stress, and others)
- Punitive damages (handed out in times of gross negligence)
- Wrongful death expenses (loss of consortium, funeral costs, and more)
You can sue both Thrifty and the responsible driver in the event of a crash.
Our Law Group
You should not try to handle a Thrifty accident case by yourself. It can take a lot of time and energy, and you are more likely to have your case thrown out without proper negotiation and knowledge of the law. Our lawyers at Normandie Law Firm can help litigate your case from start to finish and take care of all the necessary details while you focus on what is most important: recovering. We are willing to fight for your rights, and our aggressive lawyers will take your case to court I we are not satisfied with what Thrifty is offering us.
Call us today to receive a free legal consultation with one of our qualified lawyers. You can learn more about Thrifty accident lawsuits and how the law works, and we will tell you what we believe your case is worth. We invite you to ask any questions you can think of to get a better understand of the circumstances surrounding your lawsuit.
If you choose us to represent you, you will get our zero fee guarantee on your case, which promises that you will not have to pay any out of pocket expenses for our help. We will cover all fees throughout the case, and we only get out expenses covered if we win; the money will be withdrawn from the settlement we bring you. If we lose, you walk away without owing us a single penny.
To speak with an attorney to sue Thrifty for an accident that caused injury, contact Normandie Law Firm today.
