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Injured While Driving a Rental Car? Here’s What You Should Know

passenger side accident

If you are driving a rental car, it probably means that you will be driving in an area that you are not familiar with. This makes your risk of getting into an accident and getting injured higher, as you will be navigating a strange area in a vehicle that you are not familiar with. If you do get injured in such a situation, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

There are some things that should happen if you get into an accident, regardless of the car that you are driving. You should report the car accident to the police, who will create a report of the details of the accident. As with any accident, you will need to get the name and contact information of all of the people involved. It is also a good idea to write down the make, model, and license plate numbers of all vehicles that were part of the accident. If necessary, all of the individuals involved should seek medical attention to ensure that there are no delays that could complicate any injuries. When driving a rental vehicle, it is important to remember that all of the normal rules of the road still apply, which can determine who is liable for the accident.

While it is important to report the accident to the police, it is also necessary to report the accident to the rental company. The procedure that should be followed will vary depending on the company that rented you the car. The company may provide you with information about this when you rent the car, or the specific procedure may be described in any forms that you signed when you rented the car. If you are not sure how to report the accident, it is best to ask the rental company directly and go from there.

Whether or not you are covered by your personal auto insurance will be dependent on the specific terms of your policy. Some insurance policies will cover you in the event of a rental car accident, but some will not. Some rental car companies give you the option of purchasing additional insurance, but you are not required to do so. It is important that you know the terms of your policy so that you can make an educated decision about coverage before you rent the car.

Liability insurance coverage on a personal policy follows the driver, regardless of the vehicle that is being operated. This protects the driver when they operate a vehicle owned by someone else. However, it is important to look through the policy to see if there are any exclusions to this coverage.

If you have a credit card, it is possible that you have automobile coverage. However, it is more likely that the card only provides secondary coverage, which is meant to supplement your auto insurance policy if there is not enough money in that policy to cover your expenses. Just like with the insurance policies, it is important to know before you rent the car exactly what type of coverage this card gives. If insurance is offered, it will most likely cover collisions, damages, and thefts, while omitting personal liability and any damage to personal items.

Generally, a rental car company will not be liable for any injuries caused by an accident unless the accident was caused by a mechanical error that can be linked to the company’s negligence in maintaining that vehicle. For example, if the tires are very worn and caused an accident, the rental car company could be liable for failing to properly maintain the tires. Unless you purchased collision coverage from the rental car company, that company is probably not financially responsible for the damage. And even if you did purchase this coverage, it is important to know that these policies often have many loopholes that will shield the company from liability.

Typically, the insurance policy held by the person who caused the accident will be held liable to compensate for injuries and damages to the vehicle. This becomes more complicated when there are multiple insurance policies involved (rental car insurance plus a personal insurance policy), as you may be able to combine the policies in some way. This can get complicated quickly, which is why it is a good idea to seek an experienced attorney who can help determine the correct amount of coverage.

If you or a loved one was injured while driving a rental car, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our attorneys are well versed in cases involving car accidents and in navigating the complexities of insurance policies. We would be happy to assist with the specific details of your case, and can help with determining the exact coverage that you had and who should be liable for your injuries.

 

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