After a crash, you have enough things to worry about, ranging from repairing your car to getting proper medical assistance. 

Things get tricky if you are hit by a motorist in a rental car.

If you or a loved one has been hit by a rental car driver, you might wonder who is responsible for the injuries or losses you have sustained. Working with a rental car accident lawyer who understands how rental car companies operate is a plus for you because you will be sure that justice is served and you get what you deserve.

Quick Fact

The rental car industry in the US has grown 4.8 percent annually between 2013 and 2021. This growth is attributed to the increase in domestic travels by citizens over the past few years.

Despite the increase in the number of rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft, rental car companies are still in operation. They are popular among people who opt for self-drive arrangements. As with any other vehicle, drivers who use these vehicles can still get into accidents. If you have been hit by one of these drivers, you might be wondering what to do next to mitigate the situation.

In any accident, you need to take the right steps to protect your rights should you decide to file a claim against the driver. Here are a few steps to take:

Collect Contact and Insurance Information

This is the most crucial step after being involved in a car accident with a rental car driver. This information is vital when you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver or the rental car company.

If you don’t get cooperation from the negligent driver, wait for the police officer to get to the scene and collect the information for you. Make sure you get:

• Full names of the driver
• The address and license number
• The name of the rental company and their contact information
• The driver's insurance company address and contact information

You can get some of the information later on. The most vital one is the contact and address of the driver.

Call 911

You need to file a police report with the authorities. You do this by calling 911 so that they can dispatch a police officer to the scene. The officer records what happened, as explained by you and the other driver. This way, you have a record that shows the court that the incident happened the way you narrate.

To file a report, later on, it is vital to have a copy of the accident report.

Get Medical Attention

You can only know how much to demand for your injuries if you can get a medical report from a reputable doctor. The role of the doctor is to treat the injuries and then come up with a report showing the extent of injuries sustained. 

The doctor can also come in as an expert witness to prove the extent of injuries so that you can ask for compensation the right way.

Understand the Rental Agreement

A crash involving a rental car can be complicated, so it is vital to understand the driver's agreement with the company. 

The agreement will tell you who is liable for the crash so that you know who to sue for compensation. 

Talk to a Skilled Rental Car Accident Lawyer

Some of the details, especially the ones relating to insurance, might be challenging for you to analyze on your own. A competent rental car accident lawyer can make the process easier by handling them on your behalf.

The lawyer also makes it easy for you to understand whether you have a case or not and how much you expect from the claim. With these realities in mind, you will have realistic expectations from the claim you make. 

Before you choose a lawyer, it is wise to consider your options and choose the best lawyer for the task. Call us today to help you understand the options you have and begin the process of filing a claim against the rental car company or driver.