Personal Injury Blog

What to Do if You Crash a Rental Car

Being involved in a car accident is often an unpleasant experience for all parties involved. It is likely even more unpleasant if you have been in a car crash with a rental car. Crashing a rental car can leave you with financial burdens and personal injuries. If you have been involved in a rental car crash, always consider utilizing the services of a New Jersey car accident lawyer. A lawyer at the Leonard Legal Group can help you navigate the logistics of a rental car crash and help you file a claim should you need to recoup additional compensation for your injuries.

Important Steps You Should Consider Taking if You Crash a Rental Car

When you have been involved in a rental car accident, you might not know what to do. Although the steps you should follow for a rental car crash are similar to how you would handle a non-rental car crash, there are a few notable differences. Should you follow these steps with the help of the right attorney, you can have an easier time resolving the rental car accident incident.

Get in Contact with the Emergency Services and Police Department

After you and those involved in the car accident have moved to safety, someone will need to contact 911. In most cases, 911 will dispatch the emergency medical team, as well as a police unit to the accident site to conduct an official police report. This is critical so you can get an initial assessment of your injuries, as well as the officer’s opinion of who was at fault if they issue citations or make arrests.

Gather Information on the Accident and Record Information

Once you have called emergency services, you can begin gathering information about the accident and recording evidence. You will want to get the details of those involved in the accident, including their contact details, license plate numbers, license registration details, and witness statements. Additionally, you will also want to take as many pictures or videos of the accident scene as possible.

Contact the Car Rental Company and the Insurance Company

When you picked up the car from the rental company, they should have provided you with an emergency contact number. If you have been involved in a rental car crash, you will want to call this number as soon as you can to alert them to the accident and the damage that the car incurred. When you phone the company, ask them what their procedure is and where the damaged vehicle should be taken.

Remember to Contact a Rental Car Accident Lawyer

One of the more important things you should do if you have been involved in a car crash with a rental car is to contact a lawyer after the accident. Should you have been injured in a car crash, you might need the assistance of a personal injury lawyer who can help you file a claim if you decide to initiate one. Rental car crash accidents can be more complicated than regular car accidents, but they are more easily navigable with a lawyer’s services.

Most car rental companies will stipulate that you are liable for all damages that occur to the car, including car accident damages. However, the type of insurance you have and who was at fault for the crash will determine your course of action. An experienced attorney will navigate the complex web of insurance claims and contracts that follow rental car crashes.

Contact a New Jersey Car Accident Attorney Today to Discuss Your Rental Car Accident

At the Leonard Legal Group, we have the experience to help you resolve a rental car accident easily and efficiently. We know just how much of a challenge it can be to navigate the various contractual agreements associated with rental companies. Furthermore, if you have found yourself injured in a rental car crash, we can help you initiate a claim against the at-fault party. Additionally, we can help you resolve the incident if you do not have insurance and are not at fault for the accident. Get in touch with a New Jersey law firm that can help you.