Each year in the United States there are more than six million car accidents. A car crash can be a traumatizing event for you and your passengers. If you are driving a rental car when it happens, the fact that you don’t own the vehicle may cause even more stress.
Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident while driving a rental car? Even if you haven’t, you may be wondering what to do in the unfortunate event that you are in such an accident in the future.
Read on to learn three important steps to take if you’ve been in rental car accidents!
- Gather Information
Immediately after a rental car accident, you need to seek the medical care you need and begin gathering information. Depending on the severity of your car crash, you may not be in the physical or mental condition to start asking for information.
Whether it’s you or someone in your vehicle, you need pertinent facts. This includes the names and contact info for each driver and any passenger, and pictures or copies of any insurance cards and registration.
Also, be sure to speak to anyone that was a witness to the car accident. These people may be important later when you make an insurance claim or if you decide to file a lawsuit.
- Receive a Police Report
Whether you are in your car, a rental, or a rideshare accident, you need to call the authorities and receive a police report. You must do this so that you have a formal record of the accident and a report.
This will also allow the police to investigate the accident and issue a citation to the at-fault driver. Without calling the police, you don’t have a record of the incident and this may make it harder for you to have the information you need later.
Of course, you’ll also want to contact the car rental company right away and let them know about the accident.
- Contact a Lawyer
After you’ve been in an accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer to learn more about your rights. Speaking to an experienced attorney will give you a better idea of the strength of any claims you have for your injuries now and in the future.
The lawyer you meet with will go over the strengths and weaknesses of your case and help you through the insurance claim process. In the event you need to take things further, an attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court.
Wrapping Up: Stay Calm After Rental Car Accidents
Staying calm after rental car accidents can help you ensure you are doing everything you can to protect yourself and your family. By falling the steps covered in this post, you will be in a better position to make a timely insurance claim and collect what you are owed as a result of your accident.
Are you interested in learning more about how to best handle life-changing events and more? Check out our blog section for posts with tips and tricks to help you live your best life!