Having an accident when driving your car is bad enough, but the complications can grow exponentially when the car is a rental. Also, dealing with the rental agency will surely put a damper on your vacation or business trip.
However, it is not unexpected to have an accident while driving a rental, particularly if you consider that you are in a strange city, on roads unfamiliar to you, and possibly driving in weather in which you may not feel comfortable.
Steps to Take After the Accident
Make Sure You and the Other Driver are OK
Check to see if you have been injured and if the other driver is OK. If needed, call 911 to get an ambulance. Also, get the vehicles off the road to avoid further damage.
Get the Accident Report
Once the police arrive, politely answer their questions but don’t speculate about who was at fault. Let them determine this and get a copy of their report.
Exchange Information
Get all information from the other driver: their name, address, phone number, driver’s license, insurance information, and the particulars of the car.
Document the Scene
Take pictures with your phone of the cars, their location, and anything that might have played a role in the crash. And if there are any witnesses, get their testimonies and contact information as well. Finally, take notes to make sure you remember everything that happened.
Contact the Car Rental Company
You may be able to find their number either in a sticker on the window or in the rental agreement. Let them know that there has been an accident. Ask them what they want you to do. Even if you are not found to be at fault for the accident, you may still have to pay your deductible to the rental agency.
Contact Your Own Insurance Company
Let your insurance company know about the accident. Find out what they will cover, what the rental agency will cover, and what the credit card you used will cover. Your insurance company may end up reimbursing you for some expenses and going after whoever is found to be responsible for the accident.
Get Legal Help
The whole situation may simply be too complicated and end up costing you more money than you were expecting. Therefore, the Eslinger Law Firm, LLC recommends that you get legal representation as soon as possible to start fighting for your rights and recover the compensation you deserve, particularly if you suffered injuries.
Prepare for a Potential Accident Before it Happens
As you start planning your vacation or business trip, prepare to handle any potential accidents, much more so when driving a rented car. Don’t ruin your vacation by figuring this out once it has already happened. Instead, find out if your credit card has rental car insurance.
Knowing this can not only be helpful but can also save you money. If you plan on doing a bit of driving, consider purchasing rental car insurance on your own, should the one you have does not cover rentals. In any case, make sure you do have insurance to be safe while driving across the United States and always be a careful driver.
