Who is Responsible for an Accident in a Rental Car?
Renting a car is common while you are on vacation or when traveling for business. It is also common to pass up the additional insurance rental companies offer, thinking that you are covered under your own policy, while downplaying the odds that a crash or collision could actually occur. Unfortunately, car accidents are just as likely in a rental as they are in your own vehicle, and many of the same rules apply when it comes to holding other drivers responsible.
Who Pays for Rental Car Accidents?
One of the most common questions about rental car accidents concerns insurance. Will your own policy cover the costs, or it is better to take out the rental company policy? Auto Blog advises that many credit cards offer insurance coverage for rental cars as a cardmember benefit, providing you use that particular card to pay for the total price of your rental. However, it is important to check the fine print on your account to ensure the coverage is adequate to cover any losses.
Credit card insurance may cover damages to the rental vehicle in the event of a car accident but will generally not cover any injuries or personal property damages suffered by other drivers. Tennessee is considered a ‘fault based’ insurance state. This means that if it is determined your actions are responsible for a crash resulting in injuries and property damages to others, you would be financially liable for these costs either through your insurance policy comprehensive coverage or through a personal injury lawsuit filed in court.
Determining Liability in a Rental Car Accident
Rental car accidents happen the same as any other type of crash, meaning that it is the reckless driving behaviors of others which are often to blame. In much the same way as you would in a crash or collision involving your own vehicle, it is important to take certain actions to protect yourself and your rights to compensation at the accident scene.
Esurance recommends the following steps to protect your rights in a claim and to ensure the driver responsible for your rental car accident is held accountable:
- Notify law enforcement immediately.
- Exchange personal contact, driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance information with other drivers involved.
- Take photos of the accident site, both vehicles involved, and your injuries, if possible.
- Get contact information for any witnesses at the scene.
- Get medical care as soon as possible, even if you think your injuries are minor.
- Notify your insurance company right away.
Our Nashville Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
In a rental car accident, you are still entitled to compensation for injuries you suffer, the same as in any other type of collision. To find out how you can hold at-fault drivers responsible, contact Bednarz Law today. Request a consultation with our Nashville car accident attorneys to discuss how we can help you get the compensation you need to recover.