How to Handle a Rental Car Accident Abroad (2024)

What to Do If You Crash Your Rental Car Abroad

The last thing you want to deal with when driving a rental car is an accident. No matter how careful you are, a crash may occur due to the other driver’s negligence.

While handling a rental car accident is mostly similar to when it’s your own car, there are additional challenges.

Firstly, the car isn’t yours, so you have to deal with the Rental Company. Secondly, you are abroad where the car accident rules might differ.

The best course of action in this scenario is tohire a local car accident law firm that specializes in rental car accident cases. hire a local car accident law firm

Here are the steps to follow after you get into a rental cahire a local car accident law firmr crash abroad.

1. Make sure everyone is fine

The first thing to do is ensure the well-being of all individuals involved. Prioritize assessing everyone’s condition within the vehicle before proceeding. Survey the surroundings and examine any other vehicles implicated in the incident.

2. Contact emergency services

Prior to starting your journey, it’s important to write down emergency contact numbers for each country on your itinerary. Some nations have distinct numbers for various emergency services. You can search on Google to get the emergency number for the country. For severe accidents, you need to call the police and ambulance service.

3. Get medical help

If you have sustained injuries in the accident, you need to get immediate medical help. No matter how minor the injuries are, it is best to get checked by an expert. According to personal injury attorneys, if you delay the treatment, it can affect your claim.

4. Exchange contact information

Once you’ve ensured the safety of the scene, initiate the exchange of contact and insurance details with all involved parties. Car accident lawyers suggest collecting the following details:

• Name
• Phone number
• Address
• Email address
• Insurance company details
• Policy number
• Driver’s license number
• License plate for each vehicle involved
• Vehicle registration

Apart from this information, you also need to collect contact details from any witnesses present at the accident scene.

Exercise caution during interactions if you don’t have a personal injury attorney with you. Decline any offers from others to cover your damages or deductible by not signing any agreements. Moreover, avoid mentioning to other parties that you’re driving a rental car to mitigate the risk of exploitation or unjust blame shifting.

5. Gather photos and evidence

Following a car accident involving a rental car, the aftermath often induces shock. Vivid memories can swiftly blur, and relying solely on memory isn’t viable in legal scenarios.

As per car accident lawyers, allocate sufficient time to gather comprehensive details about the accident. Utilize your phone’s notes feature or any note-taking method available and take an ample number of photographs from different angles.

You need to record the following information:

• Description of the accident sequence and how it happened.
• Precise collision location, including street names and specific lane details.
• Model, type, and color of all vehicles involved.
• Any distinctive features about the vehicles.

6. Inform the car rental company

Contact the rental company using the number provided in your rental agreement and provide details about the situation. They will manage the car’s retrieval repairs and handle discussions with insurance parties or other involved individuals. The company will likely require you to complete their incident report, similar to the details you’ve gathered earlier.

7. Contact your own insurance company

If you’re relying on your current car insurance as your primary coverage, notify them about the accident to initiate a damage claim. Delaying until you return home and choosing to rely on your insurance might lead to unforeseen issues. When contacting your insurance company, inquire about:

• Their involvement in filing a police accident report, or if that’s your responsibility.
• The inclusion of collision and comprehensive coverage in your policy beyond the mandatory liability coverage.
• Understanding your deductible – the amount you’re responsible for paying out of pocket in case of a claim.

Ensure you inform them about any additional insurance purchased with the rental.

8. Understand who pays for what

Following the incident, you’ll need to determine the responsible party for covering expenses. It could be your personal responsibility, your private insurance company, the other party’s insurance company, or the rental agency’s insurance. A car accident lawyer can help you determine who is responsible for paying for what.

9. Hire a personal injury attorney

Regrettably, damage to a rental vehicle isn’t your only concern post-accident. Alongside vehicle damages, personal injuries might also be a factor. If you sustained injuries while driving a rental car, seeking financial compensation from the at-fault party becomes a consideration.

If another driver is liable, both you and the rental company might file claims against them. Injury-related costs often surpass vehicle repair expenses significantly.

Regardless of the circumstances, a personal injury attorney plays a pivotal role in safeguarding your rights and securing the best possible resolution. With their expertise, they shield you from exploitation by rental agencies or involved insurance firms. Additionally, ace accident lawyers facilitate the pursuit of compensation if you’ve sustained injuries.

Conclusion

Dealing with a rental car accident in another country can be very difficult to handle. The laws are different, and you also have to handle the rental car damages. In such cases, having a good personal injury attorney is crucial. They have the necessary expertise to deal with all the legal work and negotiate with the insurance and rental companies.

Remember to hire a local law firm in the country where the accident occurred. They can help you with evidence collection, documentation, and negotiation. Most law firms offer remote services so that you can return back to your country.