A rental car accident guide can provide you with detailed information about these collisions. You can rely on a guide to go over the causes of these accidents, responsibility for a crash, insurance, and what you should do in the aftermath of a crash.
You can get more information about how to handle these collisions from a Los Angeles car accident lawyer. An attorney can step in to assist with all your legal needs after a collision, improving your chances of getting compensation for your losses.
What Causes Rental Car Accidents?
Most rental car accidents result from day–to–day driver negligence, just like any other car accident. But there are two reasons why rental car accidents happen that you won’t find in many other auto accident cases.
Two somewhat unique reasons why these accidents happen are:
Vehicle Unfamiliarity
When driving a rental, you have to get used to all the subtle nuances of how that car controls and reacts to your input.
If the car you rented drives dramatically differently from the car you usually drive, it could increase the risk of you making a mistake and causing a crash, such as accidentally overcorrecting by pulling the steering wheel too hard and veering into traffic.
Road Unfamiliarity
Most rentals are purchased by people who are just visiting an area, either for business or leisure. An overall unfamiliarity with the roads and driver behaviors in a new area makes it inherently more dangerous to drive there.
Who Is Responsible for the Rental Car?
Whoever signs the rental car contract is responsible for its condition until they return it to the rental company lot. If the car you rent is damaged, you can be held financially liable for any repairs required to bring it back to the condition it was in when you first rented it, which might be less than pristine.
Whenever you rent a car, walk around it with a staff member to complete a quick inspection for obvious signs of damage. Photograph anything you find, so you aren’t pinned for that damage when you return it.
(310) 526-8383Who Should Buy Rental Car Insurance?
Everyone should have rental car insurance. It is the easiest way to avoid paying out of pocket if the car sustains damage in an accident or from another incident.
When purchasing rental car insurance, you have options for which company provides it. Some people get rental car insurance from the credit card company that handled the rental transaction, and others have it built into their everyday auto insurance policy.
But it is usually a good idea to spend a little more to add insurance from the car rental company itself, even if you already have coverage elsewhere.
Most rental car insurance policies will include clauses regarding:
Personal Coverage
This clause describes how much coverage you can expect for your own losses after an accident, including medical bills and the replacement of any damaged property.
Supplemental Liability Protection
This clause describes the coverage available when you need to file a third-party liability claim.
Tow Truck Coverage
If your rental car breaks down due to your fault and requires a tow truck, this clause describes how much the rental company will spend to cover the cost. For example, your rental car runs out of gas because you forgot to fill it up while on vacation. You can use this coverage to call a tow truck to take you to the nearest gas station.
Loss Damage Waivers
There might also be a collision damage waiver within the insurance policy, which often benefits you as the person who rented the vehicle. Check for a damage waiver that says you don’t have to pay for any damages to the vehicle if you purchase a certain level of insurance from the rental company.
A similar clause might set the limit to how much you can be required to pay after insurance coverage is exhausted when you rent a car. An attorney can tell you more about insurance details.
You should review these policies when renting a car. You may also want to look over a guide to rental car accidents.
After a Rental Car Accident
When you’ve been in a rental car accident, you should:
Contact the Police
You should notify the police after a collision. Do not leave the accident scene before the police arrive. The police need to assess what happened and file an accident report.
A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer may need to use the information in a police report when working on your claim for compensation.
Move Away From Moving Traffic
You should stand at least 30 feet away from the road if possible. Also, if possible, move your vehicles off the road to prevent subsequent accidents caused by people who aren’t paying attention.
Gather Evidence
Collect contact information from all parties, including passengers and eyewitnesses. You will also need insurance information from the drivers involved in the crash. If anyone tries to leave the scene before exchanging necessary insurance information, then call the police and let them know that a hit-and-run accident is occurring.
Safely photograph the scene of the crash. Get multiple pictures from many angles of vehicular damage, injuries, traffic conditions, weather-related hazards, and anything else that could have contributed to the crash.
Contact Your Car Rental Company
You should inform the company of the accident. In the glovebox of the rental vehicle, there is probably an instructional pamphlet on what to do after a crash, including a 24/7 hotline to call.
Give them basic information about why the accident happened and be careful not to admit any fault. You can say something like, “I’ve been in a car accident. I think the other driver hit me.”
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for Help
A personal injury attorney can step in to help you get the funds you need after a collision involving a rental vehicle. Your lawyer can work to bring you the money you need to cover your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other expenses.
A lawyer can give you information that goes beyond what you find in a rental car accident guide.
Talk to Us After a Crash and Use Our Rental Car Accident Guide
Handling the situation after a rental car accident can be a tall order. But you don‘t have to go through it alone. Experienced car accident attorneys often offer their services to clients who have been in rental car accidents that weren’t their fault. They know how to deal with insurance companies and rental car businesses alike, so you don’t have to.
Our team at Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys can provide the help you need when handling a damage claim. We’ll draw on our experience to walk you through every step of the legal process.
