Rental Car Accidents: What You Need to Know

Whether you are on vacation or your car is in the shop, renting a car is a simple and affordable way to get around when you don't have a car. Of course, while you don't want to imagine that you will get in a car accident, particularly when driving a rental car, the fact is that being involved in an accident is an extremely common occurrence, particularly when rental cars are involved. Since rental car drivers usually aren't familiar with the vehicle they are driving, or the roads they are driving on, rental cars tend to have a higher collision rate per registered vehicle than non-rental cars. This makes it important that you are aware of the steps you should take following an accident if you plan on renting a car.

​In many ways, handling an accident involving a rental car is similar to what you'd do after any other accident. However, rental car agreements and rental car insurance can add a few complexities to the claims process. To help ensure that your interests are looked out for following an accident, here is a look at what you need to know if you are injured in a crash involving a rental car in East Tennessee.

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What Should You Do After a Rental Car Accident in Tennessee?

As with any other accident, the first thing that you should do after an accident involving a rental car is to make sure that everyone is okay and out of harm's way. Next, call 911 immediately so that police can be dispatched to file a report and paramedics can be sent if necessary. While you wait for first responders to arrive, make sure that you take pictures of the scene of the accident and exchange information with the other driver. Having documentation of what the scene of the accident looked like can be critical in helping prove fault later on. Make sure that you never admit to being at fault when talking to the other driver. If you think you may have sustained injuries in the accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, as this will be vital in filing a personal injury claim later.

Once you have filed a police report, it is important that you contact the rental car company to inform them about the accident. There is likely an emergency number on a
sticker inside of the glove box, or listed on your rental agreement, that you can contact for assistance in the event of an accident. You will need to provide details about the accident to the rental company, and you may also have to fill out an incident report.

Whose Insurance is Involved?

Where things get complicated with accidents involving rental cars is determining what insurance policy will cover the accident, as multiple insurance policies may be involved. If you are determined to be at fault for the accident, you will have to figure out what insurance policy will cover damage to your rental car and the other driver's vehicle. It is important that you talk to your car insurance company, as a combination of your car insurance policy, the rental company's insurance, and any rental insurance policies you purchased may help cover property damage as well as personal injury claims made by the other driver. Things become a little simpler if the other driver is determined to be at fault, as their insurance policy would cover property damage to both vehicles as well as any injuries you sustained during the accident. Of course, determining fault in a car accident is often complicated, and if you were injured in an accident involving a rental car and you believe the other driver is at fault, you should consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to help you defend your case. An experienced car wreck attorney in Tennessee will be able to help you gather evidence to prove the other driver is at fault.

Who Is Liable For Your Injuries?

If you were severely injured in a car accident involving a rental car, you may find yourself wondering who is liable for your injuries and whether you can sue for damages. Fortunately, Tennessee is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents, which means that you can sue the other driver for damages including pain and suffering if you sustained severe injuries as a result of a car accident. Working with a personal injury attorney in this situation is essential, as they can determine the value of your case, and
they can represent you in negotiations with the other driver's insurance company in order to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

While people often wonder if they can sue the rental car company for their injuries, this is only possible if your injuries were a direct result of a defect in the vehicle that the rental car company was aware of (or should have been aware of) and failed to fix. However, in most cases, the rental company will not be responsible for your injuries unless your accident was the result of their negligence, such as if they failed to properly maintain the rental vehicle. If you believe that a vehicle defect or improper car maintenance led to your rental car accident, it is important that you consult an attorney as soon as possible to discuss the next steps that you should take moving forward, as you may be entitled to compensation from the rental company

If you suffered injuries in a car accident involving a rental car and you believe that the other driver's negligence is to blame, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to help you file a personal injury claim. Personal injury cases involving rental cars are complex, and an experienced attorney can help guide you through this difficult time.

​As The Car Wreck Pro Attorneys, Fox and Farmer will always be there to support you if you are involved in a car accident. Feel free to contact us to learn more about the importance of consulting an experienced personal injury attorney if you are injured in an accident involving a rental car.