Best Rental Car Accident Lawyers in South Carolina?

While you could potentially handle a minor car accident on your own, rental car accidents can be challenging to understand and may involve various defendants. You could, for example, have a case against:

• The rental car company
• Another driver
• The repair shop 
• A car manufacturer

Moreover, if you suffer a significant injury and high damages, a lot of money will be at stake. Getting what you deserve can be challenging without legal representation. Self-representation can not only be stressful and time-consuming. Plaintiffs acting for themselves will also be subjected to the same standards as a practicing attorney. A small oversight or mistake, such as missing a deadline, could result in your case getting thrown out. 

Professional legal help by your side can take a weight off your shoulders. At the very least, consider scheduling a free consultation with a lawyer to learn about your rights and determine whether you have a case.

If you are considering filing a rental car accident lawsuit in South Carolina, you generally have to do so within three years, according to state law. Beware that the clock starts ticking on the day of your accident and injury. Extensions to the deadline are exceedingly rare but may be possible if the victim was mentally or physically incapacitated for some time after the accident. Our experienced attorneys can advise you on your options.

The time after your rental car accident can be painful and frustrating, especially if you got seriously hurt. Fortunately, you do not have to fight for justice and compensation on your own. Our South Carolina rental car accident lawyers can be by your side all the way and work tirelessly for the best possible outcome of your case. Our motivated and determined attorneys never settle for less.

Size matters. As America’s largest personal injury firm, we have the resources to fight your case, no matter how long it takes. Our resources can work for you with more than 800 experienced attorneys, exceptional legal teams, access to expert witnesses and professional accident investigators. 

Get started now and call us at (877) 537-0246 or fill in our online form to schedule a free case review.

While there are many personal injury attorneys in South Carolina, you should look for someone who has experience with rental car accident cases. Steps you can take to find an excellent lawyer can include asking friends, family, and coworkers for referrals and recommendations. However, you could also search for lawyers near you online. Good databases to consult can include the South Carolina Bar Association website and Martindale or Avvo. Not only can you find lawyers’ contact details in these databases, but you can also view their credentials and, importantly, past client’s reviews.  

Ask Questions 

Asking some essential questions at the first meeting can help you determine whether the attorney is right for you or whether you should keep looking for a better match. Good questions to ask can include: 

• Do I have a case?
• How many years have you handled rental car accident cases? 
• Which costs am I responsible for if I lose my case?
• Do you have a successful track record in trials?
• Will you handle my case personally? 
• How often and by which means will we communicate during the case?

Ensure Your Attorney Works on “Contingency”

Fortunately, most rental car accident lawyers work on a “no-win-no-fee” agreement, called a contingency fee. With a contingency agreement, clients pay no out-of-pocket fees and only pay the lawyer’s fee if and when they win the case. However, you should ask your potential lawyer about their fees before hiring them. They may work with a contingency agreement but could charge you upfront expenses, such as: 

• Court filing fees
• Costs for pulling official documents
• Expert witness fees
• Deposition costs 

Morgan & Morgan understands that rental car accident victims can face a stack of bills after their accident, including healthcare costs, car repair expenses, and other losses. When we take your case, you pay absolutely nothing until we win and you receive compensation.

Rental car accidents, just like any other car crashes, can occur due to a variety of driver-related reasons, such as:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Distracted driving 
• Excessive speeding
• Ignoring road signs and signals
• Driver fatigue
• General dangerous or reckless driving

Some non-driver related reasons for car crashes include bad road design and inclement weather, such as ice and snow on the road.

However, some circumstances can be unique to rental car accidents. Business travelers and tourists typically rent cars, which means that drivers may be unfamiliar with local roadways, road laws, and traffic patterns. A rental car driver may also be unfamiliar with the car and its dimensions, features, and handling. All these factors can increase the likelihood of rental car accidents. 

There can also be rental car specific crash reasons. For example, the rental agency may have neglected to maintain or fix their vehicles. Rental cars may have defective tires or brakes, for example, which could cause serious accidents.  If you got hurt in a rental car accident, an attorney could help determine the liable party.

Rental car crashes can potentially cause significant, disabling, and costly injuries, including: 

Fractures

Not all fractures are serious, and some heal with little more medical intervention than a cast. However, a complicated fracture such as a shattered bone or crush injury could result in permanent loss of function and mobility. Complicated bone breaks may require several surgeries and costly rehabilitative therapies. 

Head Injuries

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common car accident injury, according to the Mayo Clinic. A mild TBI could heal with little more than adequate rest and over-the-counter pain medication. However, a significant TBI can have life-changing consequences. Victims could suffer from ongoing cognitive problems, seizures, and personality changes. Affected individuals may have to give up work and incur steep medical expenses for the rest of their lives. 

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis 

A serious back injury can cause damage to the spinal cord or sever the cord completely. Such an injury is usually irreversible and can cause paralysis. Victims could be dependent on a wheelchair for the rest of their lives, may never live independently again, and could face a reduced life expectancy. 

Internal Injuries and Bleeding

High-speed car collisions can cause devastating trauma to the human body, potentially resulting in internal organ injuries and bleeding. Both of these conditions require prompt emergency medical treatment as they can be life-threatening. 

Emotional Anguish

Experiencing a traumatic car crash can lead to detrimental emotional health effects. Rental accident victims could develop depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Some individuals may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), experiencing flashbacks and other upsetting symptoms. Victims are generally entitled to seek damages for their physical and emotional injuries. 

Experiencing a serious car crash while perhaps a long way from home and family can be terrifying. However, Morgan & Morgan can be here for you. If you got injured and are not sure what to do, our experienced rental car accident attorneys could help you get medical treatment and assess your potential personal injury case.

If you experienced an accident in a rental car in South Carolina, here are some tips for protecting your legal rights:

Ensure Everyone Is Safe

It is important to stay at the scene of the accident until emergency services or the police arrive, especially if there are injuries. In most instances, the best first step is calling 911 immediately.

Collect Evidence

Ensure to exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers before leaving the accident scene. Taking photos with your phone can be a quick and effective way to collect visual evidence of the accident scene, injuries, and damage to the vehicles.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Make sure to contact your insurance agent for advice and to file a claim as soon as possible.

Contact the Car Rental Company

If you experience an accident with a rental car, make sure to inform the rental car company as soon as possible. They should offer practical assistance, such as car towing, and tell you what to do next. Make sure to file an accident report with your rental company.

Call a Rental Car Accident Lawyer

Protecting your legal rights as soon as possible after an accident can be crucial for recovering compensation later on. If you experienced a rental car crash, contact an injury lawyer promptly for legal advice. Having an experienced attorney by your side can be critical as rental accidents can involve several liable parties. Most South Carolina rental car accident attorneys offer free consultations to assess your case and advise you on the best course of action.

South Carolina is a “fault state”. Therefore, the person at fault for your accident and injuries is generally responsible for your damages. Their insurance company should cover the costs of your accident expenses. However, South Carolina also follows the “modified comparative negligence” rule, meaning liability is distributed according to each party’s degree of fault. 

In other words, while a drunk driver or negligent rental car company may be responsible for your accident and damages, your settlement could be reduced or even denied if the other side can prove that you had a degree of fault in the accident. Therefore, it is critical to work with an experienced South Carolina rental car accident lawyer who can ensure that you are treated fairly and pursue adequate compensation on your behalf.

If you got injured in a rental car crash, you could qualify for compensation, such as: 

Medical Expenses

If someone else caused your accident, you could receive compensation for all medical expenses, including:

• Hospital stays and surgeries
• Medication costs
• Costs of medical devices such as crutches
• A home health aide
• Modifications to your home
• Future medical costs

Lost Income

If you suffer severe injuries and cannot return to work for some time, you could be entitled to lost wages and future loss of earnings. 

Personal Property Damage

Victims of car accidents could also recover awards for any personal property destroyed in the accident, such as the vehicle and contents, for example, phones, laptops, and more. 

Loss of Enjoyment

Severe injuries can considerably impact the home and career life of an individual. If you sustained significant physical or emotional injuries, you might be forced to give up certain activities and hobbies. You could be entitled to compensation for this loss of life quality.  

Pain and Anguish

You could qualify for an award for any physical and emotional pain suffered as a result of your accident injuries.

Permanent Disability and Disfigurement 
If you suffered a permanently disabling injury, you could be entitled to compensation for loss of mobility, for example. You could also receive awards for permanent scarring or disfigurement from a rental car accident.  

This list of damages is not exhaustive. The compensation you could recover will depend on your specific rental car accident case and your injuries. Our South Carolina rental car accident lawyers can advise you of the potential worth of your case in a free consultation.