What To Do For A Rental Car Accident
A rental car accident is always a scary and stressful experience. When an accident happens while you’re driving a rental car, it can become even more challenging to navigate than a typical car accident. Thankfully, if you need rental car accident legal assistance in Phoenix and the surrounding areas, the highly experienced accident attorneys at ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS are ready for you.
Advice For a Rental Car Accident
In the state of Arizona, the determination of responsibility for a car accident dictates whose insurance pays for damages, injuries, and other costs. The person responsible for the accident is referred to as the at-fault driver, while the other individual is the no-fault driver.
Regardless of fault, there are a few steps you should always take after a rental car accident, including:
- Call the police
- Seek necessary medical attention
- Take photos of the accident
- Keep all paperwork, such as police reports and medical records
If you are not at fault, a vital task is to document everything related to the rental car accident, not only for your insurance company but also for the car rental company. This information will prove you are not responsible for damages, guaranteeing that the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover it.
How Is A Rental Car Accident Different?
While the initial steps immediately after the rental car accident are the same for any car type, a rental car accident entails slightly more work on your part, which is why hiring an experienced car accident attorney is a good idea.
For starters, in addition to contacting your car insurance company, you will also need to notify the car rental company. Depending on who was at fault for the accident and what type of car rental insurance you purchased, the rental company can give you a breakdown of possible expenses.
It’s also important to know that rental car insurance has varying coverage for injuries, just like standard car insurance. If the at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover injuries, it may be possible to file a claim with your rental car insurance. That’s why keeping all medical records related to the accident is essential. You never know when certain forms of evidence may be requested and by which company.
Who Needs Car Rental Insurance?
Rather than trying to determine liability and which company to file claims with after an accident, it’s best to know your coverage information before you rent a car. In some cases, your pre-existing car insurance is enough to cover you in the event of a rental car accident for which you’re at fault. In other cases, it’s better to purchase additional coverage from another source to ensure you are fully insured.
It’s best to contact your primary car insurance company first to know what you need and if you are covered for rental cars. If so, you’ll also want to inquire about the details of what is and is not covered in your plan.
Once you know your primary coverage, you can then decide if taking the insurance offered by the car rental agency makes sense or not. In some cases, you can also obtain additional insurance through a credit card company or an outside insurance company that offers car rental insurance.
Each case is different, so it’s essential to do your homework beforehand. Contact the Phoenix rental car accident attorneys at ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS for assistance. Also, remember that for most car rentals, only the person listed as the driver on the account is eligible for coverage. If someone else is driving the car at the time of the accident, it will likely void the insurance unless that person’s name was also given as a car rental driver.
Final Thoughts – Advice For Your Rental Car Accident
In the end, it’s best to treat a rental car accident in the same way as a standard car accident. It’s essential to have car insurance to cover any potential costs and to avoid any legal issues. If you are driving a rental car and are at fault for a car accident, you will need to contact both your primary insurance company and the car rental company.
At the ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS, we have the experience necessary for rental car accidents and personal injury cases. You can contact us anytime through our online contact form. Don’t worry—we won’t charge you unless we win your case.
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