Rental Car Accident on Business Trip in PA

Super Lawyers 10 Years - Michael W. Cardamone

You were traveling for work - maybe a conference in Pittsburgh, a client meeting in Harrisburg, or a job site visit across the state. You picked up a rental car at the airport, and then... the accident happened.

Now you're dealing with injuries, a wrecked rental car, angry phone calls from the rental company, and confusion about who pays for what.

Key Point: If you were traveling for work when the accident happened, you likely have a workers' compensation claim - regardless of whose fault the accident was, and regardless of what the rental car company says.

Business Travel = Workers' Comp Coverage

When you're on a business trip, you're generally considered "in the course of employment" for nearly all activities - not just the work meetings themselves. This includes:

Driving to and from the airport
Driving from the hotel to the work site
Driving to dinner after a work event
Most reasonable activities during your trip

This is very different from your regular commute, which is NOT covered by workers' comp.

The Insurance Maze: Who Pays?

Rental car accidents involve multiple potential insurance sources. It gets complicated fast:

Workers' Comp

Your medical bills & lost wages (if work travel)

Rental Company

Damage to the rental car (if you bought coverage)

Your Auto Policy

May extend to rentals

Credit Card

Some offer rental coverage

Corporate Policy

Employer may have coverage

Third-Party Claim

Against other driver if at fault

A Note from Attorney Cardamone:

"Rental car accidents on business trips create a maze of insurance claims. The rental company is worried about their car. Your employer's insurance is trying to figure out liability. Meanwhile, you're injured and confused. Here's what matters: if you were traveling for work, you have a workers' comp claim. That's your starting point. Call me and we'll sort out the rest together."

What If Another Driver Caused the Crash?

If another driver hit you or caused the accident, you may have two claims:

Workers' compensation - For your injuries while traveling for work
Third-party personal injury - Against the at-fault driver

We handle the workers' comp claim directly and coordinate with our Personal Injury colleagues on the third-party case. Two specialists working together.

What About the Rental Car Damage?

The rental company will come after someone for the damage to their vehicle. This is separate from your injury claim. Potential sources of coverage:

Rental company's damage waiver - If you purchased it at the counter
Your personal auto policy - May cover rental cars
Credit card coverage - If you declined the waiver and paid with certain cards
Employer's corporate insurance - Many companies have fleet/rental coverage

Common Business Travel Accident Scenarios

Rear-ended while driving rental car to client meeting
Hit black ice driving from airport to hotel
T-boned at intersection on way to conference
Single-car crash on unfamiliar roads
Hit in hotel parking lot
Accident while driving coworkers to dinner

Crashed a Rental Car on a Business Trip?

Let us help you navigate the insurance maze. Free consultation.

(215) 206-9068

What to Do After a Rental Car Accident on Business Travel

Get medical attention - Your health comes first
Call 911 - Get a police report
Report to the rental company - Required by your rental agreement
Report to your employer - Document that it was a work trip
Take photos - Damage, scene, other vehicles
Get the other driver's info - If another vehicle was involved
Don't admit fault to anyone - Let the investigation happen
Call us before signing anything

Free Consultation: (215) 206-9068

Rental Car Accident on a Business Trip in PA