What to Do If You Crash a Rental Car
If you are like most people, renting a car is something that you don’t do on a regular basis. But when you rent a car, you may have an increased risk of getting into a crash because you may be unfamiliar with the place where you’re driving and the rental car. So, what should you do if you crash in a rental car?
In general, dealing with a rental car crash is similar to how you would deal with a crash involving your own vehicle. However, you will need to take some extra steps to handle the insurance claims and car rental coverage. You must understand your legal rights and who should be held liable for paying the accident-related expenses.
How to Handle a Rental Car Accident
- Seek prompt medical treatment for anyone who has been injured.
- Contact the police to report the crash and obtain the police report once it has been filed.
- Exchange contact and insurance details with all the people involved in the crash.
- Get the contact information and statements of anyone who may have witnessed the crash.
- Write down every single detail you know about the crash and take photos and videos of the crash site, your injuries, and the cars involved.
- Report the crash to the rental car company.
- If you have auto insurance coverage, report the crash to your insurer.
- If you leased the rental car using a credit card that provides rental car insurance, report the crash to the credit card company.
- Do not sign anything that includes a determination of fault for the crash. The other driver involved may offer to pay your deductible or damages if you just sign something - but don’t do it. Keep your distance if the other driver is aggressive and wait for the authorities to arrive. And lastly…
Discuss Your Case With a Skilled New Jersey Car Accident Attorney Now
A rental car accident can negatively affect your health, finances, property, and insurance premiums. It is more complex than a crash involving your own vehicle because multiple insurance companies may be involved. You must ensure that you have proper legal guidance to increase your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.
Ideally, you should consider talking to a New Jersey car accident attorney before talking to insurers and filing claims. Your attorney can help you determine whether you have a claim to recover compensation, answer any questions about insurance coverage and the claims process, and establish fault and liability for the crash.
To learn more about your specific situation and legal options, reach out to Leonard Legal Group and schedule your free case evaluation with our New Jersey car accident attorney by calling 973-984-1414 or reaching us online.