What to do In Rental Car Accidents

The car rental market is rapidly expanding all over the country with an impressive 4%-per-year speed. Renting a vehicle opens up countless opportunities, starting with cost-effectiveness, convenience, and versatility and ending with no long-term commitment. But, what if you get in a rental car accident?

Whether it is a minor incident or a severe crash, you must be fully aware of your rights and responsibilities. Today, our expert Boston car accident attorney team will guide you through a rental vehicle incident, pointing out things you should and shouldn’t do to claim the fair settlement you deserve!

What to Do in a Rental Car Accident?

Just like any other car accident, a collision involving a rental vehicle is always unexpected and stressful, not to mention physically traumatic. To effectively deal with the consequences of the incident, you must be aware of how to handle the situation and defend your interests and well-being. It is critical to remain calm and rational and take a set of steps that may later help you build a solid accident claim. They should include, but are not limited to, the following:

Call Emergency Medical Services

Your health, along with the safety of the other injured parties, is of vital importance. The first thing to do after you’ve been in a rental car accident is to inspect yourself for signs of any visible traumas and call the emergency service. You can dial 911 right after the incident to inform the operator about the sustained injuries as well as potential casualties.

Even if you feel fine after the crash, you should let a medical professional inspect you since the adrenalin rush may mask some dangerous symptoms. Besides, some head traumas and internal organ damage can be detected by an experienced medical worker.

Notify the Police

Along with the emergency services, you should call the police after a rental car accident. Not only will the authorities assess the accident scene, but they will also document all the details of the collision in a police report. As an injured party, you can obtain the accident report and attach it to your claim file.

In many rental car cases, an official incident report serves as a reliable record of events that have led to the crash and proves someone else’s negligence. Usually, such a report lists the time, location, and conditions of the car accident, along with the witness statements and professional situation assessment.

Document the Scene of the Accident

While a police report is a useful piece of evidence, there are other sources of undeniable proof of the other party’s liability in a rental car accident. It is a good idea to take photos of your injuries, property damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any other details that stand out to you.

When you are using your device to document the scene, make sure that the time stamp feature is on so that the insurance provider won’t be able to question the reliability of your digital evidence. The more scrupulous you are, the stronger your future rental car accident claim will be.

Exchange Contact Information with Other Parties

The next step to take after an accident in a rental vehicle is to acquire contact and insurance information of the drivers involved. Inquire about their full names, phone numbers, and insurance policy details. If there are any eyewitnesses you can talk to, ask about their contact information as well.

A witness statement can serve as powerful leverage when you are filing a claim against the rental car company or an insurance provider. Keep in mind that if the other driver seems to be hostile, it is better to wait until the authorities access all the necessary details to avoid further provocations.

Contact Your Rental Car Company

It is an absolute must to notify your rental car company after you’ve been involved in a car accident in a rental auto. In fact, almost every rental agency clearly states it in the rental agreement that you sign. You can find the emergency number provided in the rental car contract, or there will be a special sticker with a hotline number somewhere on the car dashboard.

After you call the rental car company, they will instruct you on how to proceed in a car accident case like this. You should remember that failing to notify the rental company may impact your settlement in the future.

What Type of Insurance Coverage Applies to a Rental Car Accident?

An insurance claim that applies to an accident in a rental car is usually quite tangled and complex. There are a few potential parties who can provide insurance coverage in a case like that.

Personal Car Insurance

Your own auto insurance policy can cover vehicle damage if it includes the rental car coverage option. However, not every insurance company lists such an offer, and it is a good idea to specify your policy perks before renting a vehicle.

Rental Car Company Coverage

Almost every rental car insurance company has a basic insurance package that covers financial responsibility for bodywork vehicle damage. It is referred to as a collision damage waiver. Yet, this type of insurance coverage does not extend over substantial damage to vulnerable car parts, such as tires, windshields, roofs, etc. You will have to cover these damages with your deductible.

A rental car insurance company usually provides third-party liability coverage, which covers other people’s property damage as well as bodily injuries sustained in an incident.

Other Party’s Insurance

Suppose another driver collides with your vehicle while you’re driving a rental car. In that case, they will have to pay all the damages and losses, including but not limited to medical expenses and repair costs. However, you’ll have to prove their fault with reliable evidence. In case their insurance company initially rejects your claim, an expert car accident lawyer will help you recover the liability coverage that you deserve.

Credit Card Company Rental Car Coverage

Many people are unaware of the special benefits that their credit card can offer. Major credit card networks provide rental insurance coverage. The coverage will vary depending on the bank you are with. Since it is not a mandatory feature, you need to clarify it with the credit card issuer. If the rental insurance option is available, it may cover some repair expenses, towing costs, and administrative fees. It never expands over any type of bodily injury or additional losses.

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What If You Caused or Contributed to an Accident in a Rental Car?

Causing or contributing to a car collision, especially the one with serious injuries and severe damages, may put you in a tight spot. Especially if your own insurance does not provide sufficient coverage, such an incident may impose substantial out-of-pocket expenses, affect your driving record, and lead to legal issues.

You can escape most of the unnecessary hassle by signing up for available types of rental collision coverage. Usually, they cover the following aspects:

Loss Damage Waiver

If you’ve been in an accident with your LDW intact, the rental car insurance company will take care of all the repair costs. However, the policy does not cover reckless or impaired driving.

Personal Accident Insurance

In case you or your passengers have been injured in the incident, the rental company will pay the medical bills stemming from the accident.

Additional Liability Coverage

This type of coverage fills in all the existing gaps in your current policy. It comes of great use if your current insurance limits are already low.

Personal Effects Coverage

Sometimes, a driver’s valuable personal belongings suffer irreversible damage as a result of a car crash. If you purchase the PEC from the rental company, they will refund the cost of repairs or replacement.

Additional Rental Car Accident Expenses

Every rental company works in its best interests. Despite the variety of available insurance coverage options, there’s a fair share of potential expenses you may be charged in case of an accident. It is critical that you are familiar with all the options and know how to handle each effectively.

Loss of use: A rental company may not be able to use the damaged vehicle until it is fully repaired. The more extensive the damage, the longer it takes. So, they can charge you with ‘loss of use’ fees since they are losing revenue that the vehicle would otherwise bring while it’s being fixed.
Loss of value: Even if the car is fully operational, you can be assigned ‘diminished value’ charges. Some vehicles cost less after an accident compared to the same make and model available on the market, even after complete repair.
Claim fees: When you file a claim after the incident, the car rental company will deduct administrative charges to process it. Usually, these costs are directed at the required paperwork.
Towing costs: It depends on the rental car company, but some agencies may ask you to pay the towing expenses if the car is inoperable after the accident.

On top of the potential expenses required by a rental company, you may also have to spend more on finding another rental vehicle, re-booking flights, and accommodations.

In case the claim process gets overly complicated, you will also be responsible for various legal fees, especially if the case is taken to court. Hiring a trained car accident attorney may save you at least a portion of these expenses, though.

What Happens If You Get Injured in an Accident?

As with driving your own vehicle, a rental car crash can become a source of life-altering traumas that will affect your everyday way of living to a certain extent for a while. However, a rental car company is rarely liable for the cost of medical treatments, lost wages, emotional distress, and other personal difficulties that you face.

If it was you who caused an accident, your personal auto policy may cover the consequent expenses. In case the other driver is at fault, you can file a compensation claim with their insurance company or directly with them. The chances are the rental car company will do the same to cover the property damages.

Sometimes, you can pursue the rental company and make them pay for your pain and suffering. However, it takes reliable proof that the rental car they leased to you was in poor condition, and the agency decided not to address the issue, which later served as the primary cause of the collision.

In either case, it is always a good idea to consult an expert legal advisor before initiating the claim process. A trained legal representative will assess the case on a deeper level, determining which option will help you recover the maximum compensation that you deserve.

How Can a Professional Lawyer Help in a Rental Car Accident?

Even after purchasing insurance offered by a rental company, you can’t predict the outcome of a potential accident. All because insurance policies contain various intricacies and nuances that only an experienced lawyer can decipher. On top of that, siding with a professional legal assistant brings a plethora of tangible perks. For instance:

Insurance negotiations

A well-versed attorney will take over insurance negotiations, ensuring that you don’t say or do anything that can compromise your liability and decrease the settlement.
Loss evaluation

An experienced car accident lawyer will go beyond calculating the rental auto damage. They will assess all your past and future economic and non-economic damage inflicted by the incident. Proper loss evaluation ensures fair compensation.
Litigation support

The most difficult cases may be taken to trial. A skilled legal advisor will advocate for your rights in the court of law so that no one can take advantage of you.

Moreover, working with a reliable law firm will give you peace of mind, which is necessary to recover physically and mentally after the incident. The attorney will keep you updated throughout the process without submerging you in the depth of insurance hassles.

Contact Our Rental Car Accident Lawyer for Free Professional Legal Advice!

A rental car collision can become an endless source of problems. Dealing with insurance claims, trying to figure out liability, and paying for inadequate expenses are just a few aspects of a rental car case that an experienced attorney can rid you of.

Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers can take the burden of a legal fuss off your shoulders, making sure that your rights are well protected and a just reimbursement is served. Contact us today for a free consultation, and we’ll become your best advocate, reliable partner, and caring friend, no matter the turns and twists of the rental car settlement journey!