With summer finally here, you and your family may very well be getting ready for a fun vacation. While packing up the rental car to go drive around town, though, the last thing on your mind is getting into an accident. Of course, however, it does happen, and it is important to be prepared just in case. Luckily, the protocols are very similar as getting into an accident with your own car, but there are some additional steps. By knowing what to do ahead of time, it could save you a lot of time, and unnecessary paperwork.

The first thing you should do if you happen to get into an accident with a rental car, is to call 911 and make sure everyone is okay. Ideally, you want to be doing what you would normally do as if the accident was with your own car. Assuming everyone is okay, and it’s just minor, this is the point where you should call both the rental car company and let them know of the accident, as well as your insurance company to see what kind of insurance policy you have with rental cars if you do not already know.

Here’s where it gets a little tricky. If you purchased extra insurance when you rented the car, you are essentially in the clear. If not, your insurance company is responsible for paying the rental company for the car. From there, assuming you were not the one at fault, your insurance company has to go after the responsible party. The problem comes along when people do not have rental car overage. What this means, is that you will have to pay however many days for the car that it takes to repair, just as if you were renting it. If it takes seven days to repair, you pay for seven extra days of the car rental.

If you have gotten into a rental car accident and feel you did not get everything you deserve, it is important to contact an attorney today. Contact the Paris Firm today to schedule a consultation.