Loss of Use of Your Vehicle Due to An Auto Accident
When you are involved in an accident that results in significant damage to your vehicle, but does not equal a total destruction of property, you may be entitled to seek damages for not being able to use your vehicle during the time that it is being repaired.
Money spent on a rental vehicle—or even for the inconvenience of not having your vehicle while it is being repaired—is something for which you may be able to seek compensation. This is called "loss of use."
The money you are entitled to recover in a loss of use claim is calculated by determining the rental value of your vehicle. Keep in mind that this is not the actual amount of money that you spend on a rental vehicle while your car is in the shop, but the amount of money it would cost to rent your vehicle for the time period in which you are unable to drive it.
What can be known as rental vehicle loss of use claim is best described as being compensated for the loss of use of your vehicle when it is damaged by the negligence of another. Researching what a similar vehicle would cost to rent is merely a way to measure the extent of your damages. Renting a vehicle is not a requirement which you must fulfill before being entitled to damages for your loss. Obtaining a rental vehicle may actually lessen your damages. It is important to speak with one of our experienced attorneys before you agree to a settlement with an insurance company to make sure you are receiving the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.