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Getting into a car wreck is never a pleasant experience. It is even more challenging when you are involved in a rental car accident in Georgia. Rental car companies are a little different than most when it comes to handling auto accident claims. They have their own insurance covering certain damages and losses, but it’s not always reliable or adequate to cover all your injuries and losses.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our skilled legal team knows how to work with rental car companies so you can quickly be compensated for all your damages and losses. If you or someone you know was involved in an auto accident while leasing or renting a vehicle, call us today at (833) 254-2923 or write to us online.
Steps to Take Post a Rental Car Accident
A rental car accident can be stressful enough without the added worry of what your insurance company will say. Here are some steps you should take after an accident to ensure you have a smooth claim process:
Report the Accident and Get Medical Help
Call 911 and inform them about the accident. Make sure to file a police report regarding the accident, which can help protect your legal rights should there be any problems in the future. If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, seek medical treatment immediately.
Report to the Rental Car Company
Contact your rental car company as soon as possible after the accident occurs. If there’s any doubt about who caused the accident, you might be able to get out of having to pay for any damage. If the other driver caused the accident and it wasn’t your fault, then it’s essential to discuss with your rental car company how much of the damage will be covered under your insurance and how much you will need to pay on your own.
It’s important to keep in mind that you may not have time to wait for a rental company representative to arrive at the scene of your accident before leaving. So even if you don’t think that you were seriously injured, contact them as soon as possible after the accident happens so that they can initiate any necessary procedures following your accident.
Gather Evidence
Take pictures of the accident scene and your vehicle before moving it. Also, take photos of any damage to the other vehicle or property. These photos can come in handy when proving what happened during an accident later on.
Treat it like any other accident. Exchange information with the other driver. This means names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and license plate numbers for both drivers and vehicles involved in the crash. It’s also crucial that you ask for the other driver’s insurance information. Get everything in writing. Write down what happened in your own words and ask for written statements from anyone involved in the accident.
Contact Your Auto Insurance Carrier
Your auto insurance carrier will want detailed information regarding where and when the incident occurred and how much damage your rental vehicle sustained. A claims adjuster will then handle everything from there.
Keep All of Your Paperwork
Ensure that you keep all of your receipts, estimates, and other documentation related to the incident. If there are any injuries or extensive damages, you’ll need this information if you decide to take legal action.
What If You’re At Fault?
If you cause an accident in a rental car, it’s necessary to know that the rental agreement may obligate you to pay the costs of repairs or damage to the vehicle. Let’s say you rent a car at the airport and drive it off the lot without incident. But on the way home, you rear-end another vehicle at a stoplight. The damage is minor, but because you caused it, the rental company can hold you liable for damages and seek reimbursement from your credit card or insurance company.
Insurance Coverage in Rental Car Accident Claim
Rental car companies often require drivers to purchase their own insurance or accept the rental company’s optional coverage. This can work well for some people, but it is necessary to understand the limitations of this coverage before you drive off with your rental car.
- Coverage for Damage to Your Car: If you rent a vehicle, your personal auto policy will not cover damage to that rental car. To be covered for damage in an accident, you will need to purchase a policy from the rental company. Their rates are generally very high, and they often include damage waivers. If you do not buy this additional coverage, any damage done to the car will be your responsibility.
- Personal Injury Protection Coverage or PIP: Most auto insurance policies have Personal Injury Protection or PIP coverage. This can cover medical bills and other expenses if an insured person is injured in an accident. It does not cover damages to your rental car or anyone else’s vehicle.
- Most credit cards also offer some sort of coverage for rental cars if you use that card to pay for the rental. Correlating with this, this coverage has limitations, so it’s critical to read the fine print carefully.
Schedule Free, No-Obligation Consultation with The CEO Lawyer
Dealing with an automobile accident can be intimidating and frustrating, especially when it involves a rental car. In some cases, rental car companies will contractually agree to provide coverage for their customers.
Furthermore, if you’re involved in an accident with a rental vehicle and cannot prove that the rental company offered such coverage, you may be liable for damages over your policy limits or out-of-pocket expenses. The circumstances of every case are unique, and you may not know which laws apply to your lawsuit.
Let an Atlanta rental car accident attorney from The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm provide you with clarity and peace of mind during this time. Our attorneys have achieved multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients. We are committed to offering a level of service that will allow you to focus on your health and recovery, not on the legalities of your situation. Call The CEO Lawyer today at (833) 254-2923 or contact us online to schedule a confidential appointment. We are here to help you.