If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision, the first priority is your personal safety and the safety of others. In the few seconds and moments following a car crash, you will be preoccupied with the things you need to do immediately after a car accident:
- Checking yourself for signs of injuries
- Checking on passengers, other motorists, and any involved pedestrians
- Getting out of the way of traffic and to a place of safety
- Calling for emergency medical services
- Working with law enforcement to fill out a police report
- Exchanging information with the other involved motorist
- Taking photos of the accident scene
- Notifying your insurance company of the accident
- Contacting your car accident lawyer
But once the dust settles, the practical, day-to-day reality of your situation sets in. Questions like how much time you need to take off work, how you’ll walk the dog, if you can afford the medical care you need, and who will watch your kids while you attend doctor’s appointments become very real issues.
For many people, a totaled car can make matters even more challenging. A safe, reliable way to get from here to there is one of the most pressing needs many crash victims face. What are your transportation options after a car accident? And how will you afford transportation? There are options for transportation, and your insurance provider may even cover the cost of a rental car completely.
If your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to worry about financing the cost of post-accident transportation yourself. Speak with your car accident lawyer to explore all your transportation options after a wreck. The Law Office of Todd W. Burris represents injured victims of motorist negligence in Lexington, KY and the surrounding areas.
Getting a Rental Car After an Accident
After a car accident, be sure to check your insurance policy to see if a rental car is covered. Some people are surprised to find that the full cost of a rental car is covered in the event their own vehicle is totaled or undrivable. But not every insurance company will openly tell you that they will bear the cost of your rental car. Some companies may hope that you don’t ask about transportation options, saving them the cost of a rental.
In fact, many people have insurance policies that obligate the company to pay for a rental car if the policyholder needs one. Make sure to ask the insurance adjuster about rental car options in one of your first phone conversations following the crash. If you believe the insurance company is not being forthright about your options for rental car cost coverage, be sure to speak with your attorney right away. Your lawyer will make sure the company fulfills its obligations and doesn’t take advantage of your situation.
If your motor vehicle collision was caused by another driver’s negligence, you and your attorney may decide to work together to file a claim with the at-fault motorist’s insurance company. In this case, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may be able to compensate you for the expenses you were forced to pay for transportation after your vehicle was damaged.
If another party is liable for your accident and injuries, your attorney will make sure that all expenses associated with the car accident are calculated in your compensation amount—including your costs for a rental car or another transportation option.
Other Transportation Options After a Car Accident
A rental car is one of the most convenient transport options after a car accident. But there are other choices as well, each with their own unique benefits.
Transportation options after a car accident include:
- Taxi or rideshare services (like Uber or Lyft)
- Public transportation (like bus, subway, or other mass transit options)
- Rides from neighbors, friends, and family members
- Carpooling with coworkers
- Walking or biking (when weather, health conditions, and distances permit)
- Public bikeshare programs
Make Sure You Get Full Compensation After a Crash
After a car accident, there are some expenses that are large, obvious, and inescapable. The most significant expenses include the cost of medical care and your vehicle repair costs. These expenses alone can be more than most individuals are prepared to bear financially.
When these enormous bills are placed on you suddenly—during a time you are in pain and unable to work and earn wages—it can be difficult to know what to do. On top of these physical damages, your post-accident pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, depression, anxiety, or PTSD can be crippling.
At the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, we know that the hundred-thousand-dollar medical bills sometimes overshadow the small, daily expenses that quickly add up. While other personal injury firms may focus solely on the large losses you suffered, we know that your medical bills and auto repair bills don’t fully represent the scope of your losses. Sometimes, the day-to-day expenses, inconveniences, and inabilities you unexpectedly face have the greatest impact on your life.
Having your means of transportation abruptly taken from you is a huge, life-altering event. Some people forget how difficult life becomes when you no longer have the option to jump in your car and go somewhere—like to you child’s school, to the grocery store, to your therapy appointment, to visit family, or to work.
When you contact Law Office of Todd W. Burris, we’ll take all of your transportation costs into consideration, no matter how seemingly minor, when fighting for fair compensation on your behalf.
Transportation expenses may include:
- Rental car fees
- Gas for your rental car
- Maintenance that needed to be done to make another vehicle drivable
- Public transit costs
- Rideshare service expenses
- Taxi fares
- Child-sitting or pet-sitting costs
- Food delivery service fees
- Transportation costs for others in your family who used to rely on your vehicle
Don’t let another driver’s negligence affect your ability to live your life. We can help protect your financial future, so you can continue to work and be involved in the lives of your family, friends, and community. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
