What to Do if You’re in a Rental Car Accident

If you’ve been in a car accident, your first and primary step is to get the medical care you need. Call the police, ensure the situation is fully documented, and then head to the emergency room to ensure you have a full physical to pinpoint any health risks you could be facing. After your care is met, it’s time to consider the support you need to face the financial and legal obstacles you could be facing going forward.

That’s where Gatti, Keltner Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, can help you. With over 40 years of experience, we will work closely with you to ensure you receive the compensation that you’re owed.

Take the Time to Make Sure All Is Okay

After you’ve been in a car accident, follow these steps:

1. Pull to the side of the road if it is safe to do so. If not, stay in your vehicle and call 911.
2. If you can safely exit your car, check on the other driver to make sure they are okay.
3. Wait for the police to arrive to help you with the situation. In the meantime, stay out of the way of danger.
4. Avoid making any statements at this point about what happened or what you may have done. Don’t say, “I’m sorry – I didn’t see you” or anything like this.
5. Gather the names and contact information of those who stop to help or witnesses to the incident.
6. Gather the other driver’s information, including their insurance information, name, and contact information.
7. When safe to do so, take a video of the area and the surrounding areas. Take photos of the vehicle. This can help you to have evidence later that could protect your rights.
8. Make sure to head to the hospital for a full physical check. There are many situations where the injuries incurred in a car accident are not visible or even felt right away.

Once you take these steps, be sure to fill out a police report that documents what occurred. Only provide the facts of what you did. Never make assumptions about what occurred or why it happened. 

Document all details you remember, including whether or not the other party was swerving or if you saw them on their phone. If possible, record a statement that documents your memory so that you do not forget important details later.

Contact the Rental Car Company

You will certainly need to contact the rental car company to alert them to what’s occurred. Do that as soon as possible when it is safe and after you have contacted the police. 

They will need to know how to retrieve the vehicle. You may need to gather their insurance information for any claims you may be able to make.

Once you receive the car you need, the next step is to focus on getting legal help. That’s where our team will step in to help you. When you reach out to our car accident attorney, we’ll guide you in getting compensation for what you’re owed.

What Happens After a Car Accident?

Renting a car is very common. Your vehicle may be in the shop, or you may be traveling and need a vehicle to get around. 

When you agree to borrow that vehicle for a fee, you are using the rental company’s asset, which they should have proper protections on. That means that if you are involved in a car accident, you may have coverage for the losses you incur – but there are many factors that can play a role in this.

What Insurance Coverage Do You Have?

If you are in a car accident with a rental car, you may be responsible for the damages you cause to that car and to other drivers. However, you may have other protections in place. For example, your auto insurance policy may provide coverage to you for the losses you’ve caused. Most often, when signing the rental agreement, you are acknowledging that you have auto insurance and that the coverage will cover any incidents related to the rental vehicle.

Also, the rental insurance company’s insurance may also be available to you. There are several types of rental car insurance products that may be in place. This includes:

• Loss damage waiver: This coverage will cover the costs associated with the vehicle if it is damaged or lost, as long as you were not driving recklessly or an unauthorized driver was using the car.
• Personal accident insurance: This component of rental car insurance typically covers the injuries you or your passengers face.
• Supplemental liability coverage: This coverage helps extend medical costs and property damage if the other party involved caused the accident.
• Personal effects coverage: This coverage helps provide coverage for any belongings you lose as a result of a covered incident.

What if Someone Else Caused the Damage?

There are situations where the other driver may be responsible for the injuries and losses you incur if they caused the accident. When that’s the case, you have the right to pursue financial compensation for those losses just as you would if you were in your own vehicle. The key here is that the process can prove more difficult if the insurance company tries to refuse coverage.

That’s why having an experienced attorney can make a big difference. Our team recognizes that these are difficult cases which is why we:

• Handle gathering evidence  to minimize your risk of non-coverage
• Work with the insurance company so you do not have to
• Provide you with a better understanding of the legal process
• Gather information on all of the losses you’ve incurred
• Provide you with compassion and support while working tirelessly against those responsible

Contact Our Attorneys Today for Immediate Help

We are here to help you. If you believe someone else should be paying for your losses, contact our personal injury attorneys today. Let us help you go after those responsible. Call the office of Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, for the immediate help you need managing your legal matter.