Auto Accident Attorney Advice: Dealing with a Car Accident in a Rental Car

An Auto Accident Attorney Explains the Ins and Outs of Rental Car Accidents

Driving a rental car saves miles on your vehicle and can be an added benefit of vacationing for some people. But not all rental cars come in tip-top shape, and, sometimes, the unique features of the rental car and your lack of familiarity with the area in which you are driving put you at a higher risk of getting into an accident. An auto accident attorney can help you sort out a case if you find yourself in a rental car accident, but understanding insurance and liability before you rent a car will help you when the time comes to get compensation for the accident.

Rental Car & Insurance

Before you get help from an auto accident attorney and before you even rent your car, you should check your insurance policy to see if it insures rental vehicles. Many but not all insurance policies include rental cars, and some credit cards will insure a car rented with their card. Rental car companies also provide insurance, but this often applies only to the rental car and not to the other vehicle or to personal injury. Knowing precisely what is insured and what isn’t insured will help your auto accident attorney create a better case for you.

Is the Rental Company at Fault?

In rare instances, the fault of the accident lies with the rental company. They have the duty of performing regular maintenance on their cars. If a mechanical malfunction causes the accident, the rental company may be at fault. If regular maintenance would have prevented the error, then neither you nor the other driver is at fault; the rental car company should pay for the damages.

What Should You Do After the Accident?

Dealing with a car accident in a rental car differs only in slight ways from dealing with an accident in your own vehicle. You still need to get the other driver’s registration and insurance information. You should still take pictures of the accident and report the accident to local authorities. After you have done this and made sure everyone is okay, you need to contact the correct insurer of the car.
Sometimes, you will need to contact more than one company. If your insurance covers rental cars and you paid with a credit card that insures rentals, for instance, you should contact both. The credit card might offer coverage beyond your policy and keep you from having to pay any out-of-pocket expenses. If your policy states they insure rentals but the company doesn’t want to pay, you must contact an auto accident attorney. Don’t pay out of pocket.

Talk to an Auto Accident Attorney Today

You shouldn’t have to pay if you aren’t at fault for the accident. An auto accident attorney at Tolbert Beadle, LLC., will fight for you. We don’t let insurance companies push you around. Get all the help you need by contacting Tolbert Beadle, LLC., today.