According to statistics compiled by Zippia, the United States car rental industry saw over 1.8 million vehicles in service in 2021. Current projections estimate that by 2024, Americans will rent 46.8 million cars.

If you are among the millions of Americans renting cars yearly, it is vital to know the steps to follow if you end up in an accident with your rental vehicle. Learn what to do if you get into an accident while using a rental car and how the attorneys at The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you navigate your insurance claim.

Steps to Take After a Rental Car Accident

Getting into an accident with a vehicle that isn’t your own can be highly stressful, even if the damages or injuries are relatively minor. The following steps can help you know what to do if you recently got into an accident with a rental car or want to know what to do before it happens.

• Assess the Situation

Before taking any action after a crash, assess the overall situation. Check if you, your passengers, and others in the vicinity have injuries, and call 911 if anybody is hurt. If you can safely do so, move the rental vehicle away from traffic to avoid further risk to yourself and others.

Even if you feel fine after a collision, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Many injuries take several days to manifest symptoms fully. Medical care ensures you have the appropriate tests performed to treat your condition. It also provides documentation for an insurance claim you make with your own or the rental car’s insurance.

• Get Contact Information

After a collision, speak with the other involved drivers and exchange contact information, including telephone numbers, email addresses, and insurance information. If law enforcement responds to the accident, ask them for a copy of the report or its number so you can request it from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) when you file an insurance claim.

• Gather Evidence of the Accident

After a collision, gather as much information and evidence of the accident as possible. Evidence to collect includes the following data from the crash scene or post-accident hospital records:

• Make, model, color, and license plate number of every vehicle involved in the crash
• Pictures showcasing the state of the road
• Pictures showing the damage to your rental vehicle and other vehicles involved in the crash
• Evidence of any injuries you may have sustained, such as pictures or medical records
• If available, video footage of the accident, such as dash cams or phone video recordings

• Contact the Vehicle Rental Company and Insurance Provider

Car rental firms usually include an emergency number in an easy-to-reach location, such as the glove box, which you can call 24/7 in case of an accident. Most will ask you to fill out an incident report using the information and evidence you have gathered.

If you caused the accident or did not purchase insurance from the rental company, you must file a report with your insurer as soon as possible. Depending on the facts of the case, your liability insurance may be responsible for the damages to the rental car or other drivers.

Most policies make it a contractual requirement to call them after a crash, and failure to do so risks canceling coverage.

• Contact a Qualified Attorney

If you were involved in a car crash while driving a rental vehicle in Alabama, contact a team of skilled Alabama rental car accident attorneys immediately. Rental car lawyers with The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you navigate filing with the right insurance companies, understand who was at fault for the crash, and obtain compensation for your damages and injuries.

How to Protect Yourself When Renting a Vehicle

The best way to ensure you are adequately protected when renting a car is to review your insurance policies and confirm adequate coverage. If you already have an auto insurance policy, verify that it covers rental vehicles and includes liability, medical, and collision or the comprehensive coverage required by Alabama law.

Also, check the options available from the rental company and purchase coverage for your trip so you’re fully protected.

Navigate Rental Car Insurance Claims with The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers

Getting into an accident in a rental car is stressful. It requires you to deal with multiple parties, including your insurance company, the rental company’s insurer, and third-party drivers’ insurers.

The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers understands how to navigate complex rental car insurance claims. We will guide you through the filing process by helping you know who you need to file with and how to get maximum compensation for the injuries you suffered.

Don’t handle these situations alone; the expert car accident attorneys at The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help. We will fight for your rights and obtain a fair settlement to pay for damages and get your life back on track.

Contact us today for a free case review.