As if a car accident isn’t stressful enough, getting into an accident involving a rental car and third parties can make you more unsure of how to proceed. Fortunately, while adding a third party may add to the complexity of a case, a Las Vegas car accident lawyer from H&P Law should be able to navigate the situation with relative ease. This support can allow you to take time to focus on recovering.
The specifics of one accident will always differ from those of any other accident. Despite this, the steps following an accident to set your individual case for success tend to be the same. The bottom line is that it won’t hurt to consult with an attorney regarding your accident, but beyond quickly making the call for a consult, there are several other things you can do that may help you regardless of your representation status.
Your Next Steps After Your Las Vegas Rental Car Accidents
The popularity of Casinos and bars in Las Vegas means that many unfamiliar rental car drivers may also be running on endorphins from recent alcohol consumption, making them less likely to make sound decisions. These factors, along with general population congestion, can contribute to the Nevada Department of Transportation (DOT) data showing that Las Vegas and surrounding areas had a high percentage of the 237,000 reported accidents in their recent reporting period. Though it may be a common Las Vegas occurrence, you may be unsure of the next steps following a rental car accident.
Take Pictures of the Scene and Injuries
Photos of injuries and the location of the accident will document the initial moments after the accident. This documentation may help determine who is at fault in the accident. These photos may also assist you and your attorney in calculating overall damages.
Call 911
Making the call to 911 is a requirement in Nevada if someone is injured or killed in an accident. Following this, Nevada legislation will bring police to the scene, triggering them to write a police report that may be pulled as evidence in your case. This call may also trigger the arrival of EMS for medical evaluation, which, aside from ensuring the well-being of everyone involved, acts as a documentation of your injuries for your case should you choose to pursue one.
Accept or Seek Out a Medical Evaluation
Accepting treatment is important for ensuring your medical needs and those of others have been prioritized. Refusing medical evaluation may hurt your case in the long run because it may give the appearance that your injuries are not as bad as you are stating later on. Even if you do not feel like you are seriously injured, evaluation is important because some injuries may not become apparent to you until hours or days later.
Exchange Contact Information
After an accident, getting contact information from anyone involved, including eyewitnesses, is important. While the police report will likely provide the insurance information of the involved parties, you may not be able to access it for several business days and may need insurance to cover your own rental prior to being able to access the report. Eyewitnesses’ information may not be included in the police report at all and may be helpful to you and your attorney later in the case.
Parties Involved in a Las Vegas Rental Car Accident
When dealing with a rental car accident, there will typically be at least three parties: the rental car driver, the rental car company, and the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. It may be difficult to determine who to file a claim with or the best contact person for that claim. Working with your attorney can be helpful in determining the most appropriate avenues to get what you need.
Frequently, the driver’s insurance will cover the costs associated with the rental car. If they have purchased supplemental insurance, that claim may go through the rental company’s insurance policy. When exchanging insurance information, it may be helpful to know if they have supplemental insurance through the rental or if claims will be made directly to their personal policy.
Liable Parties
Accidents become more complicated when multiple parties are involved, and this may affect who is held liable. For example, if the accident occurred because the car’s maintenance was not appropriately performed, this may mean that the rental company is responsible and not necessarily the driver. The insurance and rental companies will likely have their legal representation, making it important for you to explore securing your lawyer.
Injuries and Damages from a Las Vegas Rental Car Accident
The tourism industry is a huge part of the local economy. The City of Las Vegas reports that it receives millions of tourists monthly. This means there are potentially millions of drivers on the road in rental cars who are not familiar with the Las Vegas roads and are more likely to cause an accident that causes injury or death.
Injuries from a Rental Car Accident in Las Vegas
These accidents can cause significant injury to those involved, including:
- Broken bones
- Depression and Anxiety
- Internal bleeding
- Head and neck injury
- Wrongful death
Damages in a Rental Car Accident Case in Las Vegas
The damages you claim in a case will correspond to the cost of the injuries and may include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Household support costs
After a Las Vegas Rental Car Accident
Recovering from a rental car accident can be a long and arduous process. Ensuring your needs are heard and met in the chaos of multiple insurance agents and attorneys can be challenging. With the above information, you can be better prepared whether you choose representation from H&P Law or navigate the situation yourself.
The key pieces to remember after an accident are to ensure that you have thoroughly documented as much as you can and take steps to keep that information organized to present. It is always a good idea to at least consult with an accident attorney since many of them provide free consultations to discuss the details of your case. You deserve to have your rights to compensation protected.
