What to do if your rental car is in an accident?
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If you are on a vacation, the last thing that you want to want to deal with is a rental car accident. While you are busy navigating through unfamiliar roads and driving a car that is not yours, you should ignore the possibility that a car accident could also occur to you. In more than one way, handling a rental car accident is similar to the steps that you would take in case of a collision with your own vehicle. However, due to the layers of car rental agreements, you might have to face a few more complexities for the rental car insurance that you were not prepared for. Apart from hiring an Orange County car accident attorney, What are the other steps that you should take in case your rental car got involved in an accident? Keep reading to know more about this. Make sure everyone is fine This might sound like common sense but whenever you are involved in an accident, you might be extremely overwhelmed to forget the basics. Check the surrounding scene and make sure everyone in the vehicle is okay before you move on to any further steps. Pull your car to the side of the road so that you don't disrupt traffic and call 911 immediately in case there is anyone hurt. Exchange contact details As soon as you determine that the scene of the accident is safe, exchange contact details and insurance details with the parties involved. A few details to exchange must include name, address, phone number, email address, insurance company, and insurance policy number, license number of the driver, vehicle registration number, and license plate for each vehicle. If there are any eyewitnesses at the scene of the accident, don't forget to get their contact details too. Get in touch with your car rental company The steps mentioned above largely mirror the same steps that you would have to take in case you were driving your own vehicle. However, rental car accidents require some additional paperwork. Call the rental company as soon as possible and notify them about the accident. You will find a sticker with an emergency number that is placed within the glove box or an emergency number listed on the car rental agreement. Discuss with the company how you should proceed with the case. Contact your own insurance company about the accident In case you rely on your present current insurance policy to be the primary coverage giver, you need to inform them about the accident to set up a claim for damage. Ask them whether they will take care of filing an accident report with the local police or if it is your responsibility to do it. Ask the company whether you have comprehensive or collision coverage in your policy apart from the liability coverage that is necessary as per law. Once you get your answers, you can move on to seek the help of a rental car accident attorney who can walk you through the process of filing a personal injury claim and winning the compensation that you deserve.
