What Happens If You Crash a Rental Car?

Jun 11, 2024

While being involved in a car accident is a stressful experience, wrecking a rental vehicle is even more complicated. First, you may be liable for accident-related losses if you violated the rental agreement. Then, you need to determine who must cover the damage to the rental car and your injuries.

The person who pays for accident-related damages depends on several factors, including who was at fault and the coverage options available to you. The other driver may pay for all your accident-related losses if their negligent actions caused the crash, including your rental car damage.

A trusted car accident attorney in Atlanta, GA, can provide legal advice on the appropriate steps to protect your rights, now let’s see what happens if you crash a rental car.

What to Do After a Car Accident on a Rental Car?

Here’s what to do after an accident with a rental.

Protect Your Safety

Try to protect your safety and that of passengers and other motorists after a car accident.

Here are a few steps to take:

Move yourself and the vehicle to the side of the road if it’s safe to do so
Contact 911 if someone has sustained an injury
Contact the local police department to inform them about the accident

The most important thing after a car accident is to minimize bodily injury to yourself and other people involved.

Gather Information

If you’re involved in a crash in a rental car, you must gather evidence of how the accident occurred. Since accidents can cause severe injuries and substantial property damage, evidence provides the basis for holding the liable party accountable.

Gather the following information, which will be important later:

Names and contact details of the responding law enforcement officer
Names and contact details of passengers and bystanders who witnessed the crash
Personal details of the other driver involved in the accident, including contact details, names, and addresses.
License details and plate numbers of other drivers
Photographs of vehicle damage and the scene of the accident

It can be difficult to obtain accident-related information after the incident, so gather as much information as possible considering your injuries.

Seek Medical Attention

Car accidents might cause injuries with symptoms not immediately apparent after the crash. For instance, concussion symptoms might be subtle and do not occur right away. However, they can last for days, weeks, or even longer.

A comprehensive medical evaluation can reveal hidden internal injuries and help you obtain prompt medical attention. Most importantly, a health provider will generate medical records you can rely on to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

Regardless of the party responsible for accident-related damages, notify your insurer as soon as possible. Most insurers offer a renter’s insurance plan, which can offer crucial protection to help cover accident-related damages.

Get in Touch With an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney

If you’re in a car crash, consult an experienced car accident attorney right away. First, an attorney will give you insights regarding your rights as a victim of a car accident. More importantly, an attorney will create a strategy while communicating with the insurer and other parties involved in the accident.

An attorney will also help you decide whether your case is worth pursuing. Depending on the nature of the accident, some cases do not deserve compensation. Through an initial free consultation, an attorney will evaluate the evidence and provide guidance on how to protect your rights.

Can the Car Rental Company Help Me?

Generally, the rental company is not liable for the negligent actions of the renter. In some states, the owner is automatically liable for damages involving the vehicle, regardless of the person driving the vehicle.

The Graves Amendment states that rental car companies cannot be liable for the damages caused by the renter, regardless of the applicable state law. The rental company may be liable if it engaged in negligence or wrongdoing that caused the accident.

Suppose the rental company was aware of a mechanical issue and did nothing to fix it. In that case, they may be liable for accident-related losses if the mechanical issue contributed to the car crash.

In Case of a Crash, Whose Insurance Will Cover the Damages?

In most cases, the rental car agreement has a clause that stipulates the renter’s responsibility in case of an accident. Some personal auto insurance offers car rental coverage, and others do not.

When involved in an accident with a rental car, always contact your insurance provider because it might pay, up to the policy limits, subject to the deductible.

Alternatively, you may benefit from secondary coverage if you purchase supplemental car insurance through the rental company. Navigating the liable party for accident-related damages is complex, however, speaking to a car accident attorney may help.

What if I Rent a Car With a Credit Card?

If you paid for your rental car through a credit card, you may benefit from some form of coverage. The coverage that most cards offer typically covers damage to or theft of rental cars.

However, it kicks in as a form of secondary coverage to your auto insurance. The credit card coverage is not uniform in all areas because it may exclude certain countries from coverage.

What Things Should I Consider When Renting a Car?

While renting a car brings convenience to your transportation plans, hidden costs could hurt your finances. Here are a few things you should know:

Check the available car insurance before signing the renter’s agreement
If you have coverage from different sources, check which insurer pays first
Check the coverage offered by your credit card
Credit card insurance may not cover everything
Check the length of your trip
Set a budget, including the cost of procuring supplemental insurance coverage

Get Legal Help From an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Atlanta, GA

If you sustained an injury in a car rental, another driver might be liable for your vehicle damage and injury-related losses. Although dealing with a car rental is complicated, an experienced car accident attorney can navigate the legal issues and protect your rights.

Spaulding Injury Law has legal professionals with an over 99 percent success rate, which gives us confidence in our ability to protect your rights.

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