Accident With a Rental Car
Most people know what to do if they’re involved in a car accident in Perth, WA; however, things become more complex if it involves a rental car that either you are driving or are a passenger in.
What steps should be taken following a rental car accident?
After an accident occurs, prioritizing individual safety and wellbeing must always come first. Luckily, compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance is compulsory for all legally registered vehicles in Australia – including rental cars – meaning anyone injured by an at-fault driver can file for compensation through CTP compensation claims regardless of the financial standing of that driver.
But before considering compensation, some essential steps need to be taken first.
Step One: Seek Medical Advice
After any accident, the most essential step should be seeking medical assistance. If anyone involved has been injured in the rental car accident, seek medical help immediately by calling an ambulance. Even if no apparent injuries exist at first glance, getting checked out by medical personnel to ensure there are no hidden injuries or issues that may eventuate in the near future is essential.
Keep all documentation related to your medical treatment, including bills, prescriptions and doctor’s notes. This will enable you to provide evidence of injuries sustained and medical expenses incurred if it comes time to file a claim.
Step Two: Report the Accident
Once you’ve received medical attention, you should report the accident to the rental car company and the police. The rental car company will provide you with a contact number to call in the event of an accident.
The police must be notified if:
- Anyone is injured or killed in the accident.
- The accident involves a hit-and-run driver.
- The accident involves a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The accident involves a driver who has left the scene of the accident without exchanging information.
Even if the accident does not meet the above criteria, it’s still a good idea to report the accident to the police to create a record of the incident.
Step Three: Collect Information
When involved in an accident while driving a rental car, it’s essential that as much information is collected. This may include:
- information regarding all parties involved including names and contact details of all drivers involved;
- the registration numbers for all vehicles involved in the accident;
- witnesses involved;
- as well as photos documenting any damages to vehicles involved and copies of police reports (if applicable).
This information will prove to be crucial if you decide to make a compensation claim.
Step Four: Contact Your Insurance Provider
If your rental car company offers insurance, contact them as soon as possible in order to report and begin the claims process. Otherwise, check with your own car insurer whether accidents in rental cars are covered by your existing policy.
Once these steps have been taken, the next step should be consulting one the team at Gajic Lawyers.
Step Five: Contact a Lawyer Experienced in Personal Injury Law
Though some rental car agencies provide customers with the option of adding optional coverage, supplementary insurance isn’t mandatory when renting a car. Therefore, it’s essential that one of our team at Gajic Lawyers reviews your obligations set out in your rental contract to help identify any discrepancies between expectations and your obligations under it. Our Perth personal injury lawyers specialize in insurance contracts and work tirelessly to help Australians receive all benefits due to them for claims related to rental cars every day.
Whenever an accident has left you injured, it is crucial that you consult a personal injury lawyer familiar with WA laws and regulations. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help explain your legal rights and obligations as well as suggest an effective course of action to take. At Compensation Lawyers Perth we specialize in compensation claims; our experts know exactly how to maximize your legal entitlements.
Step Six: File for Compensation Claims
If you have been injured in an accident, compensation may be available to cover medical costs as well as lost income and lost productivity. Compensation could cover:
- Medical expenses, such as doctor’s visits, hospital stays and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost income if injuries prevent you from working due to missed time in recovery.
- Pain and suffering costs related to the accident itself.
- Future economic loss
Conclusion
Being involved in an accident while driving a rental car in Perth, WA can be both stressful and overwhelming, but by following these steps you can ensure that both medical care is received for any injuries sustained and legal rights are protected.
After an accident, it’s essential that you seek medical assistance immediately – even if you do not believe you have been hurt – in order to ensure any underlying injuries or medical concerns can be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. This will ensure any lasting issues can be identified and properly diagnosed and treated promptly.
Reporting an accident to both the rental car company and police is also vitally important, as this provides a record of what occurred and provides crucial details that may allow victims to make a compensation claim.
Information gathered about an accident, such as names and contact details of all drivers involved and any witnesses, can also help strengthen claims for compensation.
If your rental car or personal auto policy offers insurance coverage, contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the accident and initiate the claims process.
Reaching out to the team at Gajic Lawyers as soon as possible following the accident is essential. We can explain your legal rights and obligations as well as provide advice about what steps may be necessary for your situation to optimise your chances of receiving maximum compensation.
Very importantly, there are strict time limits involved in all road accident matters in Perth, WA. Call the team at car accident Lawyers Perth today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
