If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a rental car in Athens, you may be facing medical bills, lost income, and a confusing web of insurance coverage. Whether you were driving a rental or were hit by one, these cases are rarely simple. The Athens car accident lawyers with Bader Law Injury Lawyers can help.
We’ve helped over 10,000 injured Georgians recover more than $30 million, and we know how to cut through the confusion to get you the compensation you deserve. Let our rental car accident attorneys in Athens fight for you so you can focus on recovery. Call today for a free consultation.
Determining Liability in a Rental Car Crash
Rental car accidents can involve drivers, passengers, or pedestrians, whether the rental vehicle caused the crash or was struck by another car. In most cases, these collisions happen because of preventable negligence, such as:
- Distracted driving, often from using GPS or mobile devices
- Aggressive driving or speeding, especially in unfamiliar areas
- Failure to yield or obey traffic signals
- Impaired driving caused by alcohol or drugs
- Driver fatigue or inexperience behind the wheel of a new or unfamiliar vehicle
- Poor maintenance, including worn tires, bad brakes, or mechanical failure.
These behaviors can turn an ordinary drive into a serious crash with lasting consequences.
In most instances, liability rests with the at-fault driver. However, several parties, including the rental company, a repair shop, or even the vehicle manufacturer, could be held liable. Since multiple insurance policies are often involved, determining who must pay can be complex.
At Bader Law Injury Lawyers, our Athens personal injury lawyers investigate every factor contributing to your crash, from rental agreements to maintenance records, to hold all negligent parties accountable and secure the maximum compensation available to you.
For a free legal consultation with a rental car accidents lawyer serving Athens, call (404) 888-8888
Why Rental Car Accidents Are More Complicated
Rental car crashes involve several layers of insurance and responsibility, which can make getting compensated far more confusing than a standard auto accident.
Your Personal Auto Insurance
In Georgia, your personal auto insurance typically follows you when you rent a car, but how much protection it offers depends on your policy.
If you carry liability coverage, it usually extends to a rental car and pays for damage or injuries you cause to others. Collision and comprehensive coverage may also apply to the rental vehicle itself, but you’ll still be responsible for your deductible if repairs are needed.
However, not every policy includes this protection, especially if you only have the state minimum liability coverage. Many drivers also find that their personal insurance doesn’t cover “loss of use” or administrative fees that rental companies charge while a damaged vehicle is being repaired.
The Rental Company’s Insurance
Rental companies like Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis, located near Atlanta Highway and Lexington Road, often sell supplemental insurance at the counter, but many drivers decline it without realizing the risk.
This coverage may include a collision damage waiver (CDW) or liability protection, both of which can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses if the renter causes an accident. However, these policies have exclusions for reckless driving, unauthorized drivers, or contract violations.
Your Athens rental car attorney investigates whether the rental company maintained the vehicle properly or if it contributed to the crash through negligence, ensuring accountability beyond the renter’s actions.
Credit Card Travel Insurance
Some credit cards include automatic rental car coverage when you use them to book the vehicle, but the protection is typically limited.
Credit card insurance often only covers damage to the rental vehicle itself, not medical costs, liability to others, or lost income. It can also be “secondary,” meaning it applies only after your personal insurance is exhausted. Our attorneys help you understand how these benefits interact and pursue claims from every possible source, so you receive the maximum available compensation.
Athens Rental Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
What Compensation Can Our Athens Rental Car Lawyers Seek for You?
A rental car accident can affect every part of your life, but Georgia law allows victims to recover a wide range of damages.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity, if your injuries prevent you from working
- Property damage, including repair or replacement of your vehicle or personal belongings
- Pain and suffering, for the physical and emotional impact of your injuries
Our attorneys work with medical professionals and economists to calculate the full value of your losses and fight for every dollar you deserve.
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How Bader Law Injury Lawyers Can Help
Working with an Athens rental car accident lawyer can make the difference between frustration and full recovery.
At Bader Law Injury Lawyers:
- You work directly with your attorney, not a case manager or assistant.
- We handle all insurance negotiations, ensuring you aren’t pressured into a low settlement.
- We understand local roads, courts, and the community.
- We don’t charge upfront fees; you pay only if we win.
Our firm’s founder, Attorney Seth Bader, began his career representing insurance companies, so we know the tactics they use to deny accident claims. Today, our personal injury attorneys use that insight to win for our clients.
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Statute of Limitations for Rental Car Accidents
You have a limited amount of time to take legal action after a rental car crash. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years from the date of the accident.
Waiting too long can mean losing your right to recover compensation. The sooner you call Bader Law Injury Lawyers, the sooner we can start protecting your claim and securing critical evidence.
What to Do After an Accident With a Rental Car in Athens
Knowing what to do immediately after the crash can make all the difference in your recovery.
Follow these steps to protect your health and your claim:
- Call 911 to report the crash to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
- Seek medical treatment at Piedmont Athens Regional or St. Mary’s Hospital.
- Exchange insurance information with all drivers involved.
- Ask for contact details for witnesses.
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries.
- Notify the rental company about the incident, but avoid recorded statements.
- Contact Bader Law Injury Lawyers before speaking to any insurance adjuster.
These steps help preserve crucial evidence and protect your right to fair compensation.
Contact an Athens Rental Car Accident Lawyer Today
When a rental car crash turns your life upside down, you need a legal team that knows how to make things right. Our Athens rental car attorneys at Bader Law Injury Lawyers are ready to fight for you and your family. We’ll handle the insurance companies, the rental car paperwork, and the legal details so you can focus on healing.
You deserve respect, communication, and results, and that’s exactly what we deliver. Contact us today for your free consultation and let us start building your case.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
