Dealing with a car accident is stressful, especially if you get into an accident while driving a rental car. Handling an accident involving a rental car is slightly similar to what you would do if you were involved in a crash in your own car. However, given the extra aspects of the rental car agreement, rental insurance, and your own auto insurance (if applicable), a rental car accident comes with some added complexities that you must prepare for.
Steps to Take Right After a Rental Car Accident
- Stop and exchange insurance information and contact details with the other parties involved. If you feel unsafe or any hostility from the other parties, wait for the police before engaging.
- Call the police to report the accident.
- Get yourself to a hospital or call 911 if you or other people are seriously hurt.
- Document the accident scene by taking photos and videos of the vehicles, road conditions, weather conditions, etc.
- Talk to any witnesses and get their contact details.
Report The Accident to The Rental Company
Contact the rental car company to report the accident. Ask the company about their policy regarding accidents and how to proceed. Normally, you will be asked to fill out an incident report that should contain information about your accident. However, before signing any paperwork from the rental company, consider discussing your case with an attorney first, especially if your injury or damage to the car is severe or if you believe that the company may have contributed to or caused the accident, in some way.
Potential grounds for bringing a liability claim against the rental company can include failing to conduct necessary and regular maintenance on the car you rented and failing to sufficiently train or supervise its employees.
Report The Rental Car Accident to Your Own Auto Insurance Provider
If you’re a Florida resident and you own a car, you must have PIP (personal injury protection) coverage of at least $10,000. This pays for up to 80% of medical bills and up to 60% of lost earnings resulting from the car accident, regardless of who caused the accident.
If you have property damage liability or collision coverage, these may also cover damage to the rental car, depending on the terms of your insurance policies. Likewise, if you used your credit card to rent the car, you may be covered by the credit card company.
Discuss Your Case with a Boca Raton Car Accident Attorney
While your PIP coverage must cover your rental car accident regardless of fault, you may find yourself struggling to secure maximum PIP coverage for your accident. Also, if your accident resulted in non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, PTSD, mental anguish, and the like, you must seek coverage outside of PIP because PIP does not cover non-economic damages resulting from a crash.
In any case, your attorney will review the facts of your case and all the insurance policies involved to determine the best course of action to ensure that you get fairly compensated for your losses.
Consult with a Boca Raton Car Accident Attorney Now
Dealing with a rental car accident? Contact Demand The Limits for legal assistance. Schedule your free consultation with our Boca Raton car accident attorney by calling 561-600-3555 or contacting us online.
