People frequently rent vehicles when vacationing or when their regular vehicle needs repairs. Whatever your reason for renting a vehicle, there are important factors that should be considered before signing a rental contract, including the type of insurance coverage that applies to the vehicle.
Making the most informed decision possible while renting a vehicle helps to protect you in case you are injured in a rental car crash. Sometimes car crashes occur even when drivers operate rental vehicles in the safest manner possible. Some studies have found that rental cars experience a higher collision rate than non-rental cars. This article reviews some strategies that you should follow in case you end up in an accident involving a rental vehicle.
Check for Injuries
Much like car crashes involving any other type of vehicle, if you are in a rental vehicle accident, check to see if anyone was injured in the collision. Call for emergency medical services right away, if needed. Do not attempt to move a person who appears to have either a head or neck injury because this can make the condition even worse.
Instead, it is a much better idea to wait with the injured party until medical personnel arrives.
Move Your Vehicle to a Safe Spot
If you can do so safely, it is a good idea to move your vehicle out of harm’s way. This means turning on hazard lights and using flares if handy to alert passing motorists to the danger of the stopped vehicles on the side of the road.
Contact 911
Even if you were driving a rental vehicle, you should not hesitate to call 911. If anyone was injured in the collision, you should inform the dispatcher so that ambulances as well as law enforcement can be dispatched to the scene of the accident.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
After your vehicle has been relocated to a safe spot, it is a good idea to exchange information with any other involved parties. This means sharing not just contact information but also your driver’s license and insurance details as well as appropriate info about your rental vehicle including your rental policy number.
Take Pictures
As soon as you can safely do so, take pictures of the accident including the make, model, and condition of other vehicles that were involved and the conditions of the road. It is also a good idea to take pictures of any visible injuries caused by the accident.
Speak With an Experienced Missouri Car Crash Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a car crash involving a rental vehicle, one of the best things you can do to take control of the situation is to promptly obtain the assistance of a skilled attorney. At House Law LLC, we will review the facts of your case and help you determine the best way to respond. Contact our law office today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Tags: auto accident, car accidents
Related Posts: Missouri & Kansas Weather-Related Car Crashes Understanding Liability After Vehicular Crashes Caused by the Rain Driving Safely in Construction Zones
