What To Do If You’re Injured In a Rental Car Accident In Mesa, Arizona

Rental car services can be useful, whether you’re on vacation or you need to get around town while your car is in the shop. But it can be tricky operating a different vehicle, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area in which you’re driving. Seemingly small factors can compound and increase your overall risk of being involved in a traffic accident. When one or more parties involved in a car accident are in a rental car, it can make matters more complicated. This is all the more reason to hire a knowledgeable accident attorney to represent you in your personal injury claim. If you’re looking for a quality accident attorney in the Mesa area, contact our firm for your free consultation at 602-600-6001. 

Immediate Actions After a Rental Car Collision In Mesa

The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of a traffic collision won’t be much different whether you’re driving a rental car or your own vehicle. Whenever possible, you should move your vehicle to be somewhere safe and ideally not obstructing traffic. The last thing you want after a car accident is to be struck by another vehicle, whether inside or outside of your vehicle. Under Arizona law, the drivers are required to stop at the scene and provide each other with information such as their auto insurance policy. Failure to do so can be charged as a criminal offense. You can call the police to the scene who can make sure this information is notated correctly, but sometimes the police are unable to immediately report to the scene of a traffic accident, especially if it is minor. The police report can be helpful in a personal injury claim but is not the ultimate factor considered in an injury claim. Don’t admit guilt in your interactions with the police or the other driver. 

Gather Evidence

After exchanging information with the other driver, gather as much evidence as you can from the scene. Take pictures of the damage to both vehicles, any other property damage that may have occurred, bodily injuries, weather conditions and traffic signals that could have contributed to the accident, etc. It is better to err on the side of capturing too many photos and parsing them down than to only take a few photos and miss important evidence. You can also record videos if you believe they will better portray your intended message. 

Seek Medical Treatment

You will need to notify your insurance provider as soon as possible after being involved in a traffic collision. This may include your rental insurance provider- see more information below. You should also see a medical provider as soon as you can if you think there is even the slightest chance you have been injured. Whiplash is a common injury caused by car accidents, but its effects could be delayed by days, weeks, or even longer. Your medical record is a crucial piece of evidence in pursuing an injury claim, so it’s best to see a doctor promptly and follow all of their recommendations. For example, your doctor may recommend things such as leave from work to rest and recover or avoiding activities that are normally a part of your routine such as driving, vigorous exercise, and consuming alcohol. If you’ve been injured in a Mesa rental car accident and need assistance coordinating your legal claim with your medical treatments, call our firm for your free consultation at 602-600-6001. 

Exercise Caution With The Other Driver’s Insurance Company

Dealing with the other driver’s insurance company can be one of the most stressful parts of a personal injury claim. Their profits are driven by underpaying accident victims on their claims. They will try to pressure you into making statements on a recorded line so that they can later be used against you. One way to create a barrier between you and the other driver’s insurance company is by retaining a personal injury lawyer. Your attorney can answer any questions they may have about your accident without the risk of reducing your potential award. For your free and convenient consultation by phone with one of our experienced Mesa accident attorneys, call 602-600-6001. 

Understanding Your Rental Car Insurance Choices In Mesa

It might feel like a scam when a car rental service asks you to enroll in insurance coverage for the possibly short time you will be driving the vehicle. But if you are involved in a traffic accident while driving a rental vehicle, rental insurance can provide extra coverage to pay expenses resulting from your injuries. Some of the types of insurance you may be asked to enroll in when you rent a car include:

• Collision Damage Waiver: This coverage is used if you are in a collision in your rental car or it is stolen during your rental period. There may or may not be a deductible that you have to pay before coverage kicks in. You may automatically receive this type of coverage if you rent the car using a credit card, as many credit card companies automatically extend this type of insurance coverage. 
• Supplemental Liability Insurance: This type of insurance is meant to cover any claims or suits brought against you if you cause an accident while in a rental car. It is meant to provide additional protection on top of any liability insurance you may already have. 
• Personal Accident Insurance: This type of insurance can be used to pay for medical expenses caused by a variety of accidents, not just traffic collisions. Some people purchase this type of policy when they have a trip planned instead of worrying about whether or not their health insurance will be accepted. Double-check to make sure that this type of coverage isn’t included with any other rental insurance policies you purchase. 
• Personal Effects Coverage: This type of insurance can be used to repair or replace items in your rental vehicle that are damaged during the accident. For example, if your work laptop was destroyed during a T-Bone collision, or another vehicle rear-ended you while your bicycle was in the back of your vehicle, personal effects coverage could reimburse you for these costs. It can also be used if items are stolen from your rental vehicle during your rental period. 

Involved In a Rental Car Accident? Contact Our Mesa Injury Team. 

There could be several interested parties involved if you are in a rental car accident in Mesa, Arizona. If you’re seeking compensation for your injuries, most of these parties will not be working in your interest. A personal injury firm can help you receive fair compensation for your injuries without the stress and hassle of managing your injury claim. Even with rental insurance coverage, you could be left paying out of pocket for your medical expenses and losing income due to missing work. It is only fair that the party responsible be the one to pay these expenses. Arizona Personal Injury Claim will fight to get you the award that you deserve so you can focus on your life going forward. When you’re ready to get started with your free consultation by phone, contact us today or call 602-600-600.

Mesa Injury Lawyers
1731 West Baseline Road Suite #103
Mesa, AZ 85202
Tel: 602-600-6001
Email: [email protected]
Website: injurylawyersmesa.com