What Should I Do If I Get Into an Accident in a Rental Car?

If you are involved in a car accident with a rental car, you should follow the same initial steps as you would if involved in an accident with your own car:

• Get your bearings and check to see if everyone is okay- If possible pull over safely to move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Confirm that all of your passengers are generally okay. If someone is badly injured do not attempt to move them, as this can result in further injury. Instead, wait for emergency medical services to arrive to the scene.
• Call 911-this is especially necessary if someone is seriously injured, if there is significant property damage, and/or if there is a death.
• Get the information of all other drivers involved- Make sure to get the name, address, number, insurance company and license plates of all of the other driver. If possible, take pictures of all of this information.
• Write down names and numbers of witnesses- this can be especially helpful later on if you decide to pursue a claim
• Gather all other information pertaining to accident- Note the weather and traffic condition and make sure to take pictures the scene and of all property damage
• Take the ambulance to the hospital– it is best to make sure everything is okay- though you may not feel pain right away it does not mean that you’re not injured

In addition, you must contact the rental company to report the accident. Most rental companies have a phone number to call in the case of an emergency- typically left in an easily accessible location like the glove department.

Figuring how to file a claim with insurance can be quite confusing when dealing with a rental company.  To better understand all options available to you and know the  proper course of action to take, it is best to contact a NYC personal injury attorney.