How to Handle an Accident in Your Rental
What should you do if you are in a rental vehicle and you get into an accident? This question can be difficult to answer, especially if you have never been in this situation before. The first thing you need to remember is to stay calm. Accidents happen all the time, so here’s how Empire Rent A Car is helping you prepare for this unfortunate event.
Stop and Assess the Situation
If you’re involved in a car accident while renting a car, the first thing you should do is stop and assess the situation. Pull over to the nearest safe shoulder if you’re on the highway. If you’re on the city streets, find the closest parking lot or stay where you are. Depending on the damage to the vehicle, you may not have an option to leave, so it’s best to stay in your car and not walk or run through traffic. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately.
Gather Information
The next thing you should do is gather the name and contact information of the other driver, any witnesses, your rental agreement, and your insurance information. Once you have all of this, you can call your rental company and let them know what happened. They will likely want to inspect the damage to the car and may ask you to fill out an accident report. Depending on your rental agreement and insurance coverage, they may also ask you to pay for the damages. In any case, it’s important to follow their instructions and keep them updated on any changes in the situation.
Report to Your Insurance Company ASAP
While the rental car company has its own insurance that will cover the vehicle, you’ll still want to report any property damage or injuries to your personal insurance. Since you’ve already taken pictures and have a formal police report, making this claim shouldn’t be difficult. Additionally, if you opted to have your rental covered by your insurance, then you should be covered for most incidences.
Take Care of Yourself
In the days and weeks that follow the accident, make sure you take care of yourself. Any accident can be traumatic, even if you weren’t seriously injured. You should always seek medical attention for whiplash, bruised ribs, or even concussions following a crash. If you want to recover quickly from your accident, talking to your doctor is always the best place to start. Don’t forget to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids to help your body and mind recover quickly.
Practice Safe Driving in Your Rental
Empire Rent A Car has specific policies in place to help protect you and your rental car, SUV, or van, should the worst happen. So, before you leave our New Hyde Park, NY, lot, make sure you ask us about these and understand what they entail. To get an instant quote for a rental, give us a call at (800) 750-8782.