What You Should Know About Getting a Rental Car After a Crash

One of the things that people worry about after a car accident is figuring out how to get around. Most people rely on their cars for transport — they use them to commute to work, to buy groceries, get to doctor's appointments, and get to pretty much any place they need to go. After a car accident, people may no longer have access to their cars and will have to look for another means of transport.  

Dealing with this on top of all the other issues a car accident brings with it can be overwhelming. That's why it's important to understand your options for compensation, legal support, and temporary transportation.

This blog will cover topics like how to get a rental car after an accident, how fault can impact your ability to rent a car after an accident, and other options for temporary transportation after an accident. 

Understanding the Car Rental Process After an Accident

One option that victims of car accidents have is to rent a car while their car is being repaired. When the car has been damaged due to the fault of someone else, the law allows victims to gain compensation for the damages, which can include the cost of a rental. The insurance company of the person at fault typically pays for this cost.

However, if you were responsible for the accident, the defendant’s insurance company does not have to pay. Instead, your own insurance policy may be able to cover the damages. This depends on the details of your insurance policy and who was at fault for the crash. 

Most insurance companies have partnerships with rental companies, which make it easier for victims of car accidents to rent cars. Be sure to confirm the details of the rental with the insurance provider, like what is covered, how long the car can be rented, and whether there are any restrictions. 

How a Car Accident Impacts Your Ability to Rent a Car

A key factor in whether you qualify for a car rental is who was at fault in the accident. If the other party was responsible, their insurance will cover the cost of your rental. However, this has to be accepted before you can ask for rental coverage.

Insurance companies are known to take their time in investigating cases and may not be willing to cover the cost of your rental even after fault is determined. That’s why it’s important to have clear evidence and proper legal assistance to support your case.

Other Transportation Options If You Can’t Get a Rental

If, for whatever reason — whether it's because you're waiting for the insurance company to finish their investigation, or you were partially at fault for the accident — you're unable to rent a car, there are other options you can consider. You could use public transport if it's accessible in your area, or use a rideshare app while you wait for your car to be repaired. 

You could also ask a coworker or family member to give you a ride till the case reaches a conclusion. You may be able to recover the cost of transportation when the case has reached a conclusion.

Planning Ahead for a Smoother Recovery

In summary, losing your car can be frustrating, not to mention disruptive to your daily life. Dealing with the aftermath of a car crash on top of that can be overwhelming, which is why it's important for you to know the options available to you. Having a plan to deal with a lack of transport, whether that's carpooling with a neighbor or using public transport, can minimize the disruption to your daily life. 

In addition, you can receive compensation for the cost of a rental or the cost of transportation from the defendant if they're found to be at fault for the accident. In situations like these, having legal assistance can be a game-changer — a lawyer will be able to guide you on the options available to you and help protect your rights under the law.

So stay calm, ask the right questions, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you find yourself in a car crash.