Whether you have hired a rental car for business purposes or to go on vacation, the last thing you want is to find yourself in a car accident. Unfortunately, car accidents can and do occur, so it’s crucial that you follow the correct protocol to ensure you and your party are safe, and to avoid unnecessary paperwork.
With that in mind, here are 5 steps to take should you find yourself in a rental car accident.
Assess the Situation
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, your first step is to make sure that you and anyone in your vehicle are safe and not hurt. If anyone is injured, you need to call 911 immediately. The situation you are in can be highly dangerous, so getting everyone out of harm’s way as soon as possible is important. If there is a threat of explosion, make sure that the area is cleared and set up emergency flares if needed.
Gather Information and Evidence
Once you have got to a safe space, your next step should be to gather as much information and evidence as you can. Swapping insurance and contact information with any other parties who are involved and taking photographs of the accident scene will help strengthen your claim. Also, make sure that you don’t let other parties know that your vehicle is a rental, as they may take advantage of your situation.
Call the Rental Company
While the two steps listed above are what you should follow should you be driving your own vehicle, the key difference with a rental car is that you will need to deal with more paperwork. It’s important that you speak with your car rental company as quickly as possible and let them know about your accident. When engaging with your car rental company, they will give you advice on how to proceed and what further steps to take.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Make sure that you also let your own insurance company know about the accident you have been in. Ask your insurance company whether comprehensive and collision coverage is included in your policy. You will be able to find out whether your insurance company will file an accident report themselves with the local police, or if you are in charge of doing so. One of the main reasons why insurance providers will deny a claim is if the claim has not been filed quickly.
Find a Reputable Car Accident Lawyer
To ensure you get the right compensation for your car accident, it’s important that you pick a reputable car accident lawyer. Make sure that you hire a lawyer with a proven track record who can fight your corner and get you the justice you deserve. A reputable car accident lawyer must have excellent communication skills and be with you every step of the way throughout your claim.
While no one wants to find themselves in a car accident, it can feel worse if you experience an accident while driving a rental vehicle. To reduce stress and anxiety, it’s important that you follow the guidelines listed above, so you know what steps to take should the worst happen.
