Who Pays for Damages and Injuries After a Rental Car Accident?

Sorting out who will pay for your medical care and property damage after a car accident can be difficult, but when a crash occurs in a rental car it may be even more challenging. Most rental car companies offer supplemental insurance, but you may be able to recover compensation from your own auto insurer as well. Each situation is unique, and there is no way to know exactly how it will all shake out. A car wreck attorney can evaluate your case and determine who may be responsible for your medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other damages. 

Types of Rental Car Insurance Coverage

There are multiple ways to ensure you have enough coverage on a rental car, including:

Personal car insurance—Typically, your own auto insurance company will cover property damage and any injuries you or your passengers sustain in a rental car accident. However, you should read your policy or contact your insurance company before assuming that you are covered when renting a car.  

Pennsylvania drivers are required to have minimum Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of $5,000 for medical benefits, $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person, and $5,000 for property damage. Most accident lawyers recommend that you purchase more PIP coverage, as the minimum amounts may barely be enough to cover a portion of your medical bills and other damages. 

Credit card coverage—Many financial institutions offer protection if you use their credit card when renting a car. If any of your cards offer this coverage, make sure to use one of them.

Rental car company— Doing your research before you book a rental car can help you save a lot of money. Most rental car companies push consumers to add on insurance at the time of the rental. Reviewing your own policy and the benefits you may have through the credit card you use to rent the car may provide plenty of coverage. 

When Someone Else is Responsible for an Accident

How liability is assigned in a car accident depends on the specific circumstances. If an accident in a rental car was caused by another motorist’s negligence, you will most likely need to file a claim with their auto insurance company. Depending on their levels of coverage or whether your claim is denied, you may end up using your own PIP policy as well. Consulting a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney who is well-versed in handling accident claims that involve multiple insurance companies is the best way to make sure all possible avenues of compensation are pursued to your benefit. A lawyer can investigate your case, determine who is at fault, and help you seek maximum compensation to protect your health and financial future. 

If you need assistance figuring-out who may be liable for damages after a rental car accident, contact a local injury attorney today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.pa4law.com/who-pays-for-damages-and-injuries-after-a-rental-car-accident/

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Dog Bites and Personal Injury Law In Pennsylvania

Most dog lovers consider their canines part of the family. However, even the best-behaved dog can become aggressive and cause injury to others. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a dog bite, it is important to understand the nuances of Pennsylvania law and how it may apply in your case.

Pennsylvania Dog Bite Law

Hiring a skilled injury lawyer is vital if you are pursuing a dog bite claim. These types of cases often involve complex legal issues and may require extensive investigation.

Pennsylvania law requires owners and caretakers to retain reasonable control over their dogs at all times. This means that owners should confine their dogs on their premises and take extra precautions to prevent them from escaping. Even if there is no leash law in a particular town or area, if an unleashed dog causes injury or damage, the owner is typically liable.

In any personal injury claim, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s negligence caused their injuries. An injured victim may be able to recover compensation by proving that a dog owner violated Pennsylvania’s dog confinement or dangerous dog statute, but most dog bite claims can be considered what is known as a common law negligence claim. In these types of cases, the following elements must be proven by the plaintiff:

• The defendant had a duty of care to follow a certain legal standard of conduct to protect others from unreasonable risks

• The defendant failed to conform to the required standard

• The defendant’s actions (or inaction) resulted in the plaintiff being injured

• The plaintiff suffered damages or losses

Recovering Compensation in a Pennsylvania Dog Bite Case

Even if your dog bite case seems straightforward, seeking the counsel of a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney who understands how to prove negligence in a dog bite case can help to ensure you recover the full and fair compensation to which you may be entitled. Many homeowners and renters insurance policies cover damages for dog bites and other animal attacks, but insurers do everything they can to offer minimal settlements or to deny claims.

An insurance adjuster or attorney may attempt to blame the dog bite on the victim and claim that the injured person was hurt because they “provoked” the dog. There are all kinds of underhanded tactics they may use to avoid liability. Some policies have exclusions that do not cover injuries caused by certain breeds of dogs, such as pit bulls and rottweilers. In these types of cases, you may have to sue the dog owner directly instead of filing a claim with their insurance company.

An Attorney Will Accurately Value Your Dog Bite Claim

Dog attacks can result in long-term physical injuries and mental conditions. Victims who suffer from scarring, disfigurement, or chronic pain often deal with conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety as well, which can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Treatment for these types of injuries often comes at a high financial and emotional cost. The best accident attorneys know how to calculate these damages correctly. If you attempt to go it alone, you may find that the settlement you receive is not enough to cover the cost of medical care and loss of income, let alone provide compensation for damages like pain and suffering or emotional distress.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and maximize your recovery.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.pa4law.com/dog-bites-and-personal-injury-law-in-pennsylvania/

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