Accidents happen, but things can feel more complicated when they involve a rental car, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area or it’s your first time dealing with a rental car company. While no one plans for such incidents, being prepared can significantly ease the process.
Understanding how rental car insurance works and what to do in various scenarios—whether you’re at fault or dealing with an uninsured driver—is crucial.
Whether you’re dealing with the insurance company or handling the rental agency, there are a few things you should be aware of. Let’s take a closer look at what steps you should take after an accident in a rental car.
Immediate Actions at the Accident Scene
Being in a rental car accident can be a stressful experience, but knowing what to do right away can make everything much easier. Whether it’s a minor fender bender or something more serious, there are some key steps you need to follow to stay safe, protect yourself, and handle things with the car rental company.
Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention
First and foremost, make sure everyone is okay. This step might seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget in a stressful situation. Check if anyone in your rental vehicle, the other car, or pedestrians nearby is hurt.
If anyone needs help, call for medical assistance right away. Your health and safety are the priority. Don’t worry about anything else until you know everyone is safe.
Contact the Authorities
Even if the car accident seems minor, always contact the police and file a police report. This step is crucial for documenting the accident and can help later when dealing with the insurance company.
If you’re unsure whether to call the police, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Even minor accidents should be reported, as the rental company will want to see an official accident report before handling any repairs or claims.
Gather Information and Evidence
Once everyone is safe and you’ve contacted the police, it’s time to gather details. Here’s what you should collect at the scene:
- The other driver’s name, phone number, and auto insurance information
- Photos of the damage to both cars
- Contact details of any witnesses
- Pictures of the scene, including road signs, traffic signals, and anything else that might be important
This evidence will help with insurance coverage and might be helpful if you need to talk to a car accident lawyer later.
Notify the Rental Car Company
Call the rental car agency right after the accident. Most rental companies have a 24/7 number, usually in your rental agreement or the car itself.
They’ll guide you through what happens next, like where to take the vehicle or how to handle rental car insurance claims. Follow their instructions closely to avoid any issues with liability insurance or rental car coverage later.
Insurance Coverage
Figuring out what insurance covers can be confusing in a rental car accident. It depends on several factors, including your personal insurance, the rental car company’s options, and even your credit card.
Rental Car Insurance
If you already have auto insurance, it may or may not cover damage to a rented vehicle. Some policies will extend your coverage to rentals, but it depends on the specific insurance policy. If you have personal auto insurance, check with your insurance company beforehand.
You’ll want to know if your car insurance includes liability coverage, collision, or comprehensive coverage for a rental. Without it, you could end up paying out-of-pocket for repairs after an accident in a rental car.
The Rental Car Company’s Insurance
Every rental car firm works differently, but some offer their own types of insurance to cover you while driving their vehicles. The common options include:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): These waivers can protect you if the rental car is damaged or stolen, but they often exclude reckless driving or driving under the influence.
- Liability insurance: This insurance helps cover the costs if you cause damage to someone else’s car or property. If your personal auto insurance doesn’t cover rental cars, getting this from the rental firm is a good idea.
- Personal accident insurance: This can cover medical costs for you and your passengers if you are injured in a car accident.
Credit Card Coverage
Some credit card companies offer rental car coverage if you pay for the rental with your card. However, this often acts as additional insurance, covering only what your primary insurance won’t. Also, it typically won’t include liability insurance, so make sure you know the limits of your credit card’s rental car insurance.
Potential Liability and Financial Responsibility
After a rental car accident, figuring out the liable party for the damages can be tricky. While fault is a key factor in assigning responsibility, repair costs and additional fees from the rental company often complicate the situation. Let’s look at how this works and what you should expect.
Determining Fault
When you’re in an accident in a rental car, determining who’s at fault is the first step in sorting out who’s financially responsible. If you’re at fault, your car insurance or the coverage from the rental company (if you purchased it) will usually cover the damages.
On the other hand, if the other driver is responsible, their auto insurance company should cover the repair costs. Either way, it’s important to file a police report to document what happened. The report can help the insurance company determine fault and decide who pays.
Repair Costs and Other Damages
If the rental is damaged in the accident, the car rental company will expect you to pay for the repairs or replacement, depending on how severe the damage is. Even if you’re not at fault, you might have to cover the costs upfront while the insurance company works on getting things sorted out.
Aside from the car, you might also be on the hook for medical expenses if anyone was hurt in the car accident. This is where liability coverage from your own car insurance or the rental company’s policy can come in handy.
Loss of Use Fees
One fee many people don’t think about is the “loss of use.” This fee is a charge the rental company might add for the time the vehicle is out of service while it’s being repaired. Since the car can’t be rented to anyone else, the company charges you for the potential rental income they’re missing out on.
It’s something to be aware of because it can increase your costs after a rental car accident. Make sure you check your rental agreement and see if any insurance coverage you have includes this type of fee.
Legal Assistance After a Rental Car Crash
Getting into an accident is stressful enough, but things can feel even more complicated when it involves rental cars. Whether it’s dealing with insurance, the rental company, or figuring out who’s at fault, things can get tricky.
Sometimes, getting legal help is the best way to ensure you’re protected and not left holding the bag for all the costs. Let’s see why legal help is significant in these cases.
Dealing with the Rental Car Company
After a car accident, you’ll need to contact the rental agency right away. When you do, keep the conversation focused on the facts. Tell them exactly what happened, but avoid admitting fault or saying anything that could be used against you later.
If the company tries to make you pay upfront for repairs, don’t rush into it. Instead, wait for the car insurance process to play out and see if you’re really responsible for covering those damages. If you feel like the rental company is unfair or aggressive, this might be a good time to get advice from a car accident lawyer.
When to Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
There are certain situations where it makes sense to talk to a lawyer.
For example, if you or someone else were seriously injured in the accident, legal advice can help you get the compensation you deserve. Additionally, seeking legal counsel is recommended if you encounter difficulties with any insurance company involved, whether your own or that of the at-fault party.
Insurance disputes can be challenging to handle alone, especially if they’re refusing to pay or dragging their feet. Finally, if the accident involves unclear or tricky liability issues (like who’s at fault), a lawyer can help sort it out.
The Role of a Lawyer in Rental Car Accident Cases
So, what can a car accident lawyer do for you? For starters, they’ll deal with the rental agency and the insurance companies on your behalf. They can also figure out who’s responsible, ensuring you don’t get stuck paying more than you should.
They’ll help with insurance claims, negotiate settlements, and, if necessary, take legal action to compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, or car repairs. Essentially, a lawyer can be a huge help when things get messy after an accident.
Expert Legal Representation for Rental Vehicle Accidents
If you’ve been in an accident involving rental cars, you don’t have to face the insurance companies or rental companies alone. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has helped over 5,000 clients seek compensation after accidents, and we can help you, too.
Whether you’re wondering about rental coverage or how to handle injury claims, our experienced team will guide you through every step. We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis; you don’t have to pay unless we win your case.
Call us anytime at (888) 424-5757 or complete our contact form.