With any car collision there is a certain protocol you must follow, however if you were driving a rental car at the time of the accident, you will likely have a few more steps to take care of. It can be very traumatic to be involved in an automobile accident when you are in an unfamiliar city, driving an unfamiliar car, and most likely on vacation. Following the accident, you must first see to any injuries which drivers or passengers sustained. If anyone needs to go to the hospital, make sure they receive appropriate medical treatment. Many times people don’t think they are hurt as badly as they really are, due to the adrenaline which floods their body at the time of the accident. This adrenaline can mask pain and other symptoms of injury, then later on the person realizes the full extent of their injuries. Many people are also hesitant to go to an unfamiliar hospital, so they tell themselves (and others) they are fine.
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What to Do Following the Accident
Once injuries are seen to, use your cell phone and call the police so you can have an accident report on file. Exchange information with the other driver, including name, address, insurance information and license plate number. If you are able, jot down notes regarding the accident. It is very easy to forget critical details later on, even though you thin, you will absolutely remember everything that happened. If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their names, addresses and a brief statement. Take photographs with your cell phone or a digital camera if you have one in your car, or even a video of the scene of the accident. Take more photos than you think you will ever need—close-up and far away, getting the surrounding area in some of the photographs.
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Contact the Rental Car Agency and Your Insurance Company
Next you will contact the rental car agency where your car was rented from then you will contact your own insurance company and let them know about the accident. You will need to ask specific questions of the rental agency such as what documentation they need, what information is required, how soon you can get a replacement rental car, and any other questions you might have. If you used a credit card to rent the car, you may have additional rental insurance you are not aware of, so contact your credit card company to find out about coverage.
Unfortunately, no matter who was responsible for the accident, you will be held liable for loss or damage to the rental vehicle in addition to towing charges and loss of use expenses. For this reason, you might want to accept and pay the extra charge for the rental company’s insurance, or at least be sure your own insurance fully covers you in the event of an accident in a rental car. If your rental is unable to be driven and needs to be towed, make sure you get the details of the location of the towing company—if your insurance company refuses to pay, you will be responsible for these charges. Make sure you’ve removed all your belongings from the vehicle before it’s towed, and keep receipts of every expense since you don’t know exactly what expenses your insurance company may cover.
Get Legal Help
An accident which occurs while you are driving a rental car can be extremely frustrating. You may be operating under state laws you are unfamiliar with which can equal one big headache. It can really be to your advantage to consult a personal injury attorney who understands all the players in such an accident and can guide you through the process of filing your insurance claim.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a rental car accident in Broomfield, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, or anywhere in Colorado, it is important to contact our committed and dedicated car accident attorneys immediately. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our committed personal injury lawyers are dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves justice. Contact us at (303) 423-1770 or (866) 385-3505.
Our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience representing injured accident victims in Broomfield, Arvada, Superior, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, Longmont, and throughout Colorado.