What to Do About Rental Car Accidents in Tennessee

Car accidents are stressful and scary. Rental car accidents can be even worse. You may be away from home in an unfamiliar place. Your loved ones may be unable to assist or accompany you to a local doctor or hospital. You may miss an important meeting or event that you traveled to attend.

If you opted out of rental car insurance when you picked up the vehicle, there's an additional burden on your shoulders. Who will pay for the damage to the car? And what if you've been injured?

If you've had a rental car accident in Tennessee, you don't have to handle this situation alone. A rental car accident lawyer can help.

Here's what you need to know in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

Immediate Steps After a Rental Car Accident in Tennessee

After a car crash, your first step should be to check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 if anyone requires medical attention.

Next, Tennessee law dictates that you should move the vehicles out of the way as long as this can be done safely. Make sure to take pictures of the accident scene before doing so.

You should then exchange contact and insurance information with everyone involved and report the accident. If there were any witnesses, get their information as well.

There are a few different ways to report rental car accidents in Tennessee, depending on the circumstances:

• If there are any severe injuries, your 911 dispatcher will notify local police during your call.
• If there is no need for medical assistance, call the non-emergency number for your local police department, or call the Tennessee Highway Patrol at 901-537-2988 or *847.
• Note that some jurisdictions like Nashville have an online portal where you can self-report an accident if no injuries were sustained.
• If the crash caused more than $400 in damage, you should also file a report with the Tennessee Department of Safety within 20 days.
• You should also report the crash with your own insurer. Make sure to let them know you were driving a rental car.

Notifying the Rental Car Company

Once you have informed the authorities, you should contact the car rental company. You will usually find an emergency number on your rental agreement, but some car rental companies have an app with a built-in feature for reporting a crash.

Each car rental company has different internal policies for handling accidents. You will usually have to fill out an accident report with details similar to what you would find on a police report.

The car rental company will remove the damaged vehicle from the accident scene and provide you with alternative transportation. Keep track of all communications with the car rental company and report the crash to them as quickly as possible. Don't volunteer more information than necessary, and don't admit liability for the crash.

Dealing with Insurance Matters Following Rental Car Accidents in Tennessee

Who is liable for damage to a rental car? It depends on the kind of coverage you have.

Rental car companies usually offer the option to pay for a loss damage waiver or collision damage waiver. If you choose this add-on, you won't be liable for the damage to the rental vehicle. This waiver costs extra, but it makes dealing with a rental car accident much more manageable.

If you declined to purchase a loss damage waiver or the amount of damage exceeds the limit of the waiver, you'll have to reach out to your insurance company. Under Tennessee's at-fault system, your insurer will cover the damage if you're liable for the accident. If you weren't responsible for the crash, the insurer of the liable driver will pay for the damages.

Because of the state's comparative fault rule, navigating matters of liability can be complex. If you and another driver share liability for the crash, you might not qualify for damages, or you could receive a reduced compensation, which will leave you on the hook for the rest of the damages.

If poor vehicle maintenance contributed to the crash, the car rental company might be found negligent. Everyone affected by the crash might be eligible for compensation from the car rental company in this case.

It's best to get help from a rental car accident lawyer. An experienced legal professional can make a difference by filing an insurance claim on your behalf, communicating with the car rental company, and gathering strong proof to establish liability for the crash.

If the relevant insurance claims don't cover the damages, a rental car accident lawyer can also help you explore the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Get Help After a Rental Car Accident With Accident.com

If you were in a rental car accident in Tennessee, safety should be your priority. Once you've checked everyone for injuries and contacted 911 if needed, you should report the crash to local authorities and call the car rental company.

Establishing liability and navigating questions of insurance can be complex when crashes involve multiple parties, including the rental car company itself. It's usually best to get help from a rental car accident lawyer to address this situation.

Accident.com offers legal support and personalized guidance. Fill out our online form, and we'll put you in touch with a local rental car accident lawyer who can review your case and advise you on the next steps.

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