Dealing with the aftermath of a regular car accident is difficult because the authorities and their questions, the insurance company, and personal injuries are all things you must deal with. Getting into an accident with a rental car comes with its own set of difficulties.
At some point, it can become an overwhelming experience that affects you mentally. According to car accident lawyers at Henningsen Injury Attorneys, knowing the steps after an accident in a rental car and getting legal help can significantly ease the situation.
Seek Medical Treatment
Whatever sort of accident you’re in, your health and well-being come first, and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Call an ambulance to the scene, and let paramedics take a look at you.
Call Law Enforcement
Call the police so they can cordon off the accident scene and file a police report about the collision. Write down the officers’ names and badge numbers so that the accident report may be easily found later.
Gather Evidence and Information
After everyone is secure and the emergency services have arrived, the next step is to exchange insurance and contact information with everyone who has been affected by the incident. This is true whether you were in your own vehicle or a rental car.
Make sure everyone gives their car registration numbers, names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Don’t forget to take photos of the damage and the collision scene.
Contact your Car Accident Attorney
Seek legal representation as soon as possible after the accident. Injury attorneys handle the legal aspects of collecting compensation, so you don’t have to worry about or deal with legal jargon. An attorney will ensure that every part of your case is handled properly, with your best interests in mind.
The most significant benefit of hiring an attorney is that they will handle the bulk, if not all, of the legal proceedings, allowing you to concentrate on your emotional and physical recovery.
Contact your Car Rental Company
Call your automobile rental company as soon as possible to alert them of the accident. Inside the glove compartment, there’s usually a sticker with an emergency number or an emergency number specified on your car rental agreement.
Ask the rental company about the next steps you should take. Typically, the automobile rental company will have you fill out their version of an incident report, which will contain the information you have gathered.
Contact your Insurance Company
If you’re dependent on your existing auto insurance policy for primary coverage, let them know about the accident so they can file a damage claim.
Ask your insurance company about the procedure of filing the accident report or who will take care of it. If you choose to be represented by an attorney, then they will usually take care of this aspect.
Check with your insurance carrier to see if your policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage and the minimum liability coverage needed by law. You or your attorney should talk with your insurance company and determine your deductible and whether the other driver involved is partially or completely responsible for the accident.