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Accidents are unpredictable, and according to reviews of Tampa personal injury lawyers, they can ruin your vacation. If you’ve recently been in an accident with a rental car, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Knowing the steps, you need to take after an accident can help alleviate some of your stress. Let’s break down what to do if you wreck a rental car while on vacation.
Remain Calm and Call 911 if Necessary
The first step is to remain calm and assess the situation. If there are injuries or any reason to call 911, do so immediately. Otherwise, exchange insurance information with the other driver and take photos of the scene of the accident, including any damage to both vehicles. Additionally, ensure that you have your rental agreement handy to provide the correct contact information.
Contact the Rental Company Immediately
In the moments immediately following an accident, your first step should be contacting the rental company and letting them know there has been an incident. It is essential to get in touch with the rental company as soon as possible so that they see the situation and can begin processing any claims that may arise.
Be sure to document everything about your accident for future reference—including pictures of the scene, contact information for any other drivers involved, etc.—which will give you greater clarity when filing insurance claims or dealing with different legal issues.
Get All Necessary Documentation from Local Authorities
You must also get documentation from local authorities following an accident involving a rental car—including a police report and any citations issued by officers at the scene. Depending on where you are, additional forms or documents need to be filled out before leaving the scene; make sure all paperwork is filed correctly before departing so that all pertinent information is accounted for later down the line.
Understand Your Insurance Coverage
Before renting a vehicle, it’s essential to understand what type of coverage (if any) your personal auto insurance policy provides about rental cars; this could save you time and money if something goes wrong during your trip. Different states have different policies regarding insurance coverage for rental vehicles, so make sure you do thorough research before embarking on your journey.
Additionally, most rental companies offer additional types of optional insurance coverage (such as collision damage waivers), which can provide extra peace of mind for longer trips; these policies cover damage resulting from vandalism or theft.
Take Care of Any Repairs Needed
Once you’ve contacted your insurer and rental agency, they will work together to determine what needs to be done next regarding repairs or replacement of damaged parts. Both companies must agree on who should pay for what before any work begins; otherwise, it could leave you personally responsible for any costs not covered by either party’s insurance policy or agreement with the rental company. Additionally, take photos of all repairs made; these may come in handy down the line should there be discrepancies between repair estimates or payment records from either party involved in covering costs associated with the accident.
Conclusion:
No one plans on getting into an accident while on vacation—but unfortunately, accidents happen! Being prepared ahead of time by understanding what type of coverage is available through your personal auto policy, as well as any additional insurance options offered by your rental company, can help ensure that if something does go wrong during your excursion, you’ll be able to handle it quickly and efficiently without worrying about added costs or delays getting back home safely afterward. Contact us! The Tampa personal injury lawyers can help you with many car accident cases!
