What Happens If I Was Injured in a Rental Car Accident?

If you’re in a rental car and get into an accident in Conway, the same rules of fault apply. However, the insurance and legal process will be more complicated. Your personal auto insurance policy may cover the crash, the rental company may provide additional coverage, and the other driver’s insurance may likewise be responsible.

At Kinon Law Firm, we know full well how confusing these cases can be. Our car accident lawyers in Conway, SC, can sort out the overlapping policies, preserve evidence, and make certain the rental company’s paperwork doesn’t work against you later.

Why Rental Car Accidents in Conway, SC, Are Confusing

Rental companies hand you a contract packed with fine print, optional insurance add-ons, and warnings about responsibility for any damage. After a crash, that paperwork can feel like a trap. People usually don’t know whether their own insurance applies, whether the rental company’s coverage is enough, or whether the other driver’s insurer is liable.

What makes these cases even more confusing is the speed at which everyone wants answers. Rental companies want the car back immediately. Insurers want recorded statements. If you’re a tourist, you may be flying home within 24 hours. If you’re a local driving a rental while your own car is in the shop, you may feel pressured to sign forms you barely understand.

Conway adds another layer because many collisions happen on busy corridors, such as Highway 501 or Church Street, where multiple agencies typically respond. Each agency’s report has slightly different language, which can create contradictions that the insurers will definitely use to undervalue your claim. When timelines move fast and the paperwork piles up, it becomes easy for a renter to get blamed for something they didn’t cause.

How Insurance Usually Works After a Rental Car Crash in Conway, SC

Most drivers don’t realize their personal auto insurance typically follows them into a rental, including liability coverage and sometimes collision coverage. If you bought the rental company’s supplemental insurance, commonly called the collision damage waiver, that may reduce what you owe for the rental car’s repairs.

The important thing is that fault still controls the claim. If another driver caused the crash, their insurer should be responsible for your injuries and the rental vehicle’s damage. If you were partly at fault, South Carolina’s shared fault rule applies, meaning you can still recover compensation if you’re 50% or less responsible. Because these cases involve multiple insurers, the process becomes overwhelming fast. That’s where legal help matters.

How a Conway, SC, Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Protect Your Claim After a Rental Car Crash

Your lawyer will start by obtaining the rental contract, your insurance policy, and the full crash report. Next, they’ll gather objective evidence, such as photos, witness accounts, surveillance video, and vehicle damage patterns. These details cut through assumptions and show what actually happened.

Your Conway, SC, car accident attorney can likewise manage communications with:

• the rental company
• your insurance carrier
• the at-fault driver’s insurer
• any supplemental coverage providers

This prevents conflicting statements and protects you from being pushed into responsibility you don’t owe. Your lawyer will gather medical records and document how the crash affected your daily life to get an accurate estimate of the compensation you’ll need to cover all your damages.

Get Help From Our Car Accident Lawyers in Conway, SC

If you were injured in a rental car crash, our Conway, SC, car accident attorneys can review the agreement, investigate the collision, and ensure the right party is held accountable. Schedule your no-cost consultation by contacting Kinon Law Firm at 843-488-9191 or online.