As summer approaches you may want to hit the road with your rental car. It’s the perfect time for a good getaway. But what happens if you get into an accident in a rental car? Unfortunately, some people think their rental car supplemental insurance will cover all the damages but that’s so far from the truth. Rental car accidents are very similar to any other type of accident but you should keep some things in mind. If you end up getting into one of these accidents, make sure you reach out to an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer.
After the accident
Seek medical care as soon as possible and call the police to report the accident. You need insurance information as well as contact information of all the people involved in the accident. Witnesses can also provide crucial information. Get their name and phone number. When you rent a vehicle, you are responsible for reporting the accident to the rental car company. You should have important documents about what to do or where to call in case of an accident. Don’t panic. These things happen every day and the world is prepared to handle them and so is your Los Angeles car accident lawyer.
Your insurance
Sometimes drivers assume their insurance will cover them during an accident but this is not always true. You need to first check your policy and make sure you are covered in these types of cases. Sometimes rental car coverage is excluded. There are two categories of coverage:
- Liability coverage – This will pay for injuries you have caused and vehdamage.
- Collisions coverage – This is damaged caused to your car and how much it will cost yofix it.
Collision damage waiver
This is offered by the rental car agency at an additional charge. It will only cover damages to the rental car or how much it will cost them to fix it. However, if you injure another driver you are on your own.
Is the rental car company liable
For the most part, the rental car company is not responsible for the damages sustained in the accident, whether you or the other drivers were injured. In rental car accidents, you or the other parties involved will be at fault. The rental car company doesn’t get involved unless they failed to maintain the car or if the vehicle has a defect they knew about it but did nothing to fix it.
Ask your Los Angeles car accident lawyer
If you have been involved in a rental car accident, you probably have so many questions. Contact a lawyer who will help you analyze the circumstances surrounding your rental car accident. Attorneys have experience handling personal injury claims like yours. Perhaps the car had a defect or you need to find out if your insurance covers for all the damages sustained in the accident. An attorney will make things easier for you. Contact us today and schedule your initial case evaluation.
