Rental Car Accidents in Las Vegas

Getting into an accident is stressful enough when you are driving your own vehicle. When it happens in a rental car, the situation becomes exponentially more complicated. You are suddenly dealing with unfamiliar insurance policies, strict rental company procedures, and questions about liability that do not have straightforward answers. Whether you are visiting Las Vegas on vacation or renting a car while yours is in the shop, knowing what to do after a rental car accident can mean the difference between a smooth resolution and a costly legal battle.

What to Do Immediately After a Rental Car Accident

Your immediate actions after a rental car accident are critical in protecting your legal rights. Here is what you should do:

• Check for injuries first and move everyone to a safe location away from traffic. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance.

• Take extensive photos and videos of the accident scene, capturing damage to all vehicles, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and the surrounding area.

• Obtain the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details of all drivers involved in the collision. Don’t forget to gather contact information for any witnesses who saw what happened.

• File a police report, even if the accident seems minor. This creates an official record of the incident that becomes valuable when filing insurance claims or resolving disputes about fault.

• Contact the rental car company and report the accident. Your rental agreement contains strict, legally binding deadlines for reporting accidents, and failing to notify them could jeopardize your coverage.

Who Pays for a Rental Car Crash in Las Vegas?

Nevada follows traditional fault-based insurance rules, which means the responsible party’s insurance should cover any damages that you sustain in the accident. If the other driver caused the accident, their liability insurance should pay for damage to your rental vehicle. The rental company will typically file a claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.

If you are at fault for the accident, your personal auto insurance policy’s collision coverage may extend to rental vehicles, allowing you to file a claim for repairs or replacement. Alternatively, if you purchased a collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver from the rental company, this coverage should pay for the vehicle damage.

Common Complications in Rental Car Accident Claims

Rental car accident claims come with unique challenges that don’t exist in standard cases. Rental companies often have aggressive legal teams and complex contracts designed to protect their interests, not yours. You might face disputes over what damage existed before the accident, unreasonable repair costs, or claims that you violated the rental agreement. 

Insurance coverage can be equally confusing, with questions about whether your personal policy applies and how rental company waivers interact with other insurance. An experienced Vegas car crash attorney can review all applicable policies, negotiate with rental companies on your behalf, challenge excessive damage claims, and protect your interests.

Trust The Janda Law Firm to Guide You Through the Process

The Janda Law Firm has extensive experience handling rental car accident cases in Nevada, and we know how to cut through the confusion to get you the compensation you deserve. Whether the accident involved another driver’s negligence, mechanical problems with the rental vehicle, or disputes over coverage, we will handle every aspect of your claim. Contact us at (702) 758-8888 for a free case evaluation with a Las Vegas, Nevada personal injury lawyer.