Outdoorsy (founded in 2015) is a peer-to-peer marketplace that connects RV owners with campers interested in renting RVs. It allows individuals access to RVs without actually having to purchase or own the vehicle. In a nutshell, Outdoorsy makes RVs available for those looking to go out on adventures on the road. Although it is, without a doubt, a convenient service, the company is essentially making their RVs available to anyone (given that they meet basic eligibility requirements); sometimes, renters are not qualified to operate RVS.
Because some renters are inexperienced with RVs, they can pose a significant threat to themselves, other occupants in the RV, and other people on the road. This risk could lead to incidents, which can lead to harm to unsuspecting individuals. If you or a member of your family rented an RV through Outdoorsy and eventually suffered an accident, you might have grounds to pursue an Outdoorsy accident claim.
If you would like to learn more about your right to pursue an Outdoorsy accident claim, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our law firm as soon as possible. Our lawyers are ready to provide you with all the information that you need to hold the liable party/entity accountable for the harm suffered. If you would like to discuss the possibility of pursuing a claim with the experts at our firm, contact Normandie Law Firm immediately.
Normandie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm dedicated to providing all injured victims with the legal representation necessary to hold the liable parties or entity liable for the harm suffered. If you were involved in an Outdoorsy accident, you might have grounds to pursue a claim against the company. You might also be eligible to benefit from Outdoorsy’s insurance coverage. If you are ready to speak with our experienced lawyers and learn more about your right to sue Outdoorsy, do not hesitate to contact our experts today.
The Common Causes Behind Outdoorsy RV Accidents
Accidents can happen for a number of reasons. Some common causes of vehicular accidents include hazards on the road (slippery surfaces or obstacles, for instance), defective vehicles, mechanical issues, weather conditions, and the negligence of other drivers on the road, just to name a few. However, rental RV accidents can often be associated with the inexperience of the RV driver/renter. Even a driver with many years of experience handling average-size passenger vehicles could encounter difficulties with an RV. RVs can be very large and can handle differently than the typical passenger vehicle. In addition, they require more skill to operate safely. Because RVs are larger and require more clearance (above, behind, in front of, and beside) to operate safely, inexperienced drivers can fail to verify their surroundings, make assumptions about the safety of their surroundings, and experience incidents.
The accidents that are directly related to the inexperience of an RV driver can always be avoided. How could these accidents be prevented? These accidents could be prevented if Outdoorsy simply ensured that RV renters had the necessary experience and qualifications to operate the RV. Because of this, liability for the accidents could sometimes be transferred to Outdoorsy (in cases in which they should have never rented the RV out to a certain individual).
Outdoorsy Terms and Conditions
According to the Outdoorsy terms and conditions available on the company’s website, there are a few requirements that drivers must meet. Consider the following points:
- Drivers must be at least 25 years old
- Drivers must hold a valid driver’s license
- Drivers must be approved through Outdoorsy verification, insurance, or through a third-party insurance binder
According to the terms and conditions, the renter and the owner (of the RV) “represent and warrant that any person who operates the rental will have passed DMV verification and will have the skill and expertise to do so safely and free from negligence.” The terms and conditions also state that the “rental [the RV] shall not be operated at speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour regardless of the posted speed limit.”
Do Drivers Need A Special License to Drive an RV?
It is common knowledge that some vehicles, such as commercial trailers, require drivers to have a specific license. Having the appropriate license ensures that the driver is equipped with the tools, knowledge, and experience necessary to safely operate the vehicle. What license do you need to drive an RV? In California, drivers are required to have a non-commercial class B license for RVs/motorhomes that are over 40 feet long. This requirement varies depending on the state. Will you need a special license to drive the Outdoorsy rental? The answer to that question depends on the type of RV rented. If the RV is on the larger scale and is over 40 feet long, you will need a special license (given that the rental occurred in California).
Is Outdoorsy Liable for Accidents?
Can Outdoorsy be liable for any accidents involving their rental vehicles? The company could be liable for any accidents that occur when they negligently approve rentals to drivers who are unqualified to drive the RV. Although the company claims that their drivers/renters have to meet specific terms and conditions (mentioned above), it is possible for some disqualifications to go unnoticed, leading to the company renting out their RVs to individuals who wouldn’t normally be eligible.
The company might fail to verify the driver’s age or whether the driver has a valid license, for example. The company might also fail to process verifications from the insurance company or DMV. Because of this, the company could miss important information that would normally prevent an individual from renting an RV.
So, could the company be liable? Based on the concept of negligence, Outdoorsy might be liable for any accidents resulting from wrongfully renting RVs to individuals. This is because the company has a duty of care – a duty to ensure that they are only renting out their RVs to individuals who are eligible and able to safely operate them. When the company breaches their duty of care and fails to ensure that their renters are qualified to rent the RV (and still allows them to rent the vehicle), they are putting renters, other RV occupants, and other people on the road at risk of accidents and suffering harm. When harm occurs as a direct result of the company negligently allowing a rental, the company could be liable for all harm suffered.
Outdoorsy Insurance Coverage
According to the Outdoorsy site, their U.S. coverage is provided by Liberty Mutual. According to the policy, there is significant coverage. The policy includes up to $1 million in liability insurance and up to $1 million in physical damage protection. According to the company, the renter can select the insurance protection package for their rental – either the Peace of Mind, the Essential, or Risk Taker package. Each plan differs in physical and liability coverage.
What Should You Do?
Were you or a member of your family harmed as a direct result of an RV accident caused by an inexperienced driver who should have never been approved to rent the RV, there are a number of things that you should do to prepare to take legal action towards the company. Consider the following recommendations:
- Take photos of any physical injuries suffered
- Take photos of the entire scene of the accident
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Gather evidence that the driver was unqualified to operate the vehicle
- Take a photo of his or her license
- Verify his or her age
- Verify his or her driving record
- Contact the company to report the incident
- Limit communication with insurance companies
- Only provide essential information (facts)
- Do not provide details that could be used against you
- Try to keep all communication limited to writing (emails and letters, for instance)
- Speak to any witnesses present at the time of the incident
- Gather the contact information of all parties involved in the incident
- Gather all relevant medical records
- Gather all documents associated with the rental of the RV
- Seek legal assistance immediately
The Statute of Limitations
Although you might have grounds to file an Outdoorsy RV accident claim, it is also important that you know that you could lose your right to take any legal action if you fail to file your claim within the appropriate length of time. How long do you have to pursue your RV accident claim in California? California subjects all auto accident claims to a two-year statute of limitations, meaning that claimants only have two years to pursue their claims. If claims are not filed on time, they will lose their right to sue. Although exceptions could apply resulting tolled or paused statute of limitations, it is important for claimants to file their claims as soon as possible. If you would like to learn more about the exact length of time that you have to pursue your claim against Outdoorsy, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our law firm immediately.
Contact Normandie Law Firm Today
If you are in need of legal assistance after suffering an accident in an Outdoorsy RV that was negligently rented out, you should contact the experts at Normandie Law Firm immediately. At Normandie Law Firm, our lawyers are ready to provide all affected individuals with the guidance that they need to hold the liable parties/entities accountable for the harm suffered. At Normandie Law Firm, we are dedicated to remaining accessible to all affected parties; therefore, we offer free legal services. Our free legal services include both free consultations and free second opinions. During our free consultations and free second opinions, our Outdoorsy accident attorneys will be available to answer all your questions and address all your concerns. Our lawyers will essentially provide you with all the information that you might need to pursue your claim against Outdoorsy.
Our firm is based on a Zero-Fee guarantee, meaning that our clients will not be required to pay any upfront legal fees for any of our legal services. Because our firm is also based on a strict contingency structure, our lawyers will not be required to pay anything until after reaching a successful claim outcome. If you do not win, you will not be required to pay anything.
Are you ready to benefit from the legal services that our firm offers? If so, do not hesitate to contact our firm immediately. The experts at our firm are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to reach a successful claim outcome.
