Rental Car Accident FAQs

Timelines vary significantly. Cases where liability is clear and injuries are well-documented may resolve in months. Cases involving disputed liability, serious or catastrophic injuries, or multiple insurance policies may take one to three years. Our attorneys will give you an honest assessment of your case timeline after reviewing the specific facts.

Hit-and-run accidents involving rental cars are especially complicated. Your UM/UIM coverage is often the primary recourse. Under O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11, Georgia’s uninsured motorist statute covers hit-and-run accidents in which physical contact occurred. An attorney can help you navigate the reporting requirements and policy claims.

Not necessarily. Your personal auto insurance, credit card benefits, and UM/UIM coverage may all play a role. An attorney can help you identify the correct coverage hierarchy and ensure no available source of compensation is overlooked.

This is common. If the at-fault driver’s coverage is exhausted, you can pursue a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy. Georgia law requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, though you can waive it in writing. If you have UM/UIM coverage, it can serve as a critical safety net in rental car accidents involving underinsured drivers.

Yes. If the rental company negligently failed to maintain the vehicle—worn brakes, defective tires, faulty steering—and that defect contributed to your accident, they may be liable despite the Graves Amendment’s general protections. This requires thorough investigation of the vehicle’s service and inspection records.