Who Pays for a Rental Car After an Accident in Virginia? 2024

If you were recently involved in a car accident, you may need a rental car while you wait for your vehicle to be repaired or while you wait for a replacement, but who pays for a rental car after an accident in Virginia? In most cases, the at-fault driver is responsible for this expense. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and discern all of your recovery options in the aftermath of your accident.

Who Pays for a Rental Car After an Accident in Virginia?

Every driver is required to have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. When a driver causes an accident, their insurance will pay for the damages they caused, and these damages will generally include medical expenses for an injured victim along with compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing the victim’s vehicle. Part of this compensation can include paying for a rental vehicle until your vehicle is repaired or replaced.

If your car needs to be repaired after an accident another driver caused, state law requires their insurance company to cover the cost of your rental. They must continue paying for the rental until all repairs on your vehicle are finished. If your vehicle is a total loss, they will need to pay for your rental until they send a total loss offer for your vehicle. It is important to have an attorney review this offer to ensure it is fair.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After Car Accidents

Filing an auto insurance claim in the state may be more difficult than you initially expected. This is because an insurance company will typically do everything it can to avoid paying out on a claim if at all possible, and insurance company representatives are trained to use claimants’ own words against them whenever they can. You should never assume that an insurance company has your interests in mind or any intention of paying a maximum settlement without a fight.

The first steps you take immediately following your accident are crucial. You should call 911 immediately to report the accident to the police if you are able to do so. This will ensure there will be a police report on file that you will need to send to the insurance company. You should also seek medical care, even if you think you only sustained minor injuries, and you should talk to an attorney before discussing a settlement with the other driver’s insurance carrier.

If you need a rental vehicle after your accident, your car accident lawyer in Virginia can not only ensure that the other driver’s insurance company pays for the cost of the rental but also that they continue to do so until your vehicle is repaired or they have an acceptable total loss offer ready for you. An insurance carrier is more likely to process your claim efficiently and in good faith when they see that you have legal representation advising you.

Rental Car Accident FAQs

Q: How Long Will Insurance Pay for a Rental Car After an Accident?

A: Insurance will usually continue paying for a rental car during the time it takes for the victim’s car to be repaired, no matter how long it takes for the insurance company to produce an offer to cover vehicle repair or replacement costs. If your car needs to be repaired, the insurance company must cover the cost of your rental until your car is fixed; otherwise, it must pay for the rental until it sends an offer to cover the total loss of your vehicle.

Q: Is This a No-Fault Insurance State?

A: No, Virginia is not a no-fault insurance state. Every driver is required to have liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage, and an at-fault driver is liable for damages they caused. When a driver causes an accident, their insurance will pay for the damages they inflicted on others in the accident up to the limits of the policy. In a no-fault state, a driver’s own policy pays for their damages after an accident regardless of who was at fault.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim from Auto Insurance?

A: The total compensation you can claim from auto insurance will depend on the extent and severity of your damages. A standard auto insurance policy must include coverage for bodily injury to a single person, bodily injury to all persons injured in a single accident, and property damage. An experienced attorney can help you file your claim and extract maximum compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

Q: What Is the Total Loss Law?

A: The total loss law in Virginia dictates whether a vehicle can be repaired or if it is beyond saving. Generally, the formula used to calculate whether a vehicle is a total loss would be the actual cash value of the vehicle minus the salvage value of the vehicle versus the cost of repairs. If the cost of repairs would be greater, then the vehicle qualifies as a total loss. Your attorney can ensure you receive a fair offer from the insurance company if your vehicle is a total loss.

Q: How Do I Prove Fault for a Car Accident?

A: You can prove fault for a car accident in the state by gathering evidence to show exactly how the accident happened. The police report from the accident and photos of the accident scene can be crucial to your case, and your attorney can obtain statements from witnesses who saw your accident happen. Various forms of digital evidence could also come into play, like traffic camera footage, vehicle computer data, and cell phone records.

The team at Whitlock Law, LLC, has helped many car accident victims navigate the aftermath of their accidents with confidence. We can help you resolve any disputes regarding a rental vehicle and the compensation owed by an at-fault driver’s insurance company after your recent accident. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn more about how we can help you build a stronger car accident case.