Car Accident Claims: Leased Vehicles

Not all drivers have the financial resources to buy a new car and therefore often lease vehicles for daily use. In the event that you are suddenly involved in a car accident which results in damage to your leased vehicle, what options do you have and what steps do you take? There are a number of steps you can take whether you had an accident with another vehicle or were in a single car accident and also whether the accident was your fault or the other driver’s fault.

What to do first?

At the scene of the accident your first concern should be your safety and health. If you are not injured, you are under a legal obligation to render aid to others thus you should inquire about the condition and health of others. This includes passengers in your vehicle, the other driver and his or her passengers, and pedestrians who may have been hurt as a result of the accident. Afterward, contact the police or the necessary law enforcement agencies (State Troopers must be contacted if the accident occurs outside a municipality). In order for law enforcement to respond to the accident there must be injured persons and/or damage caused by the accident is worth more than two thousand dollars ($2000.00). Where medical assistance is required by either yourself or others involved in the car accident, request an ambulance or the fire department.

Having a police report available later is important as it will provide details such as who caused the accident and will provide an accident scene examination and witness information and interviews.

After the above, exchange information with the other driver or drivers at the accident scene. Necessary information is contact details and insurance information. This information will be needed when reporting the accident to the leasing company. If possible take photographs of the accident scene with your cell phone showing the position of the vehicles, points of impact and property damage.

Reporting the accident

Almost all leases require that you carry insurance on the car and most lease agreements provide clauses requiring you to notify them, that is, the leasing company or car dealership, that you have been involved in a car accident. Further, all vehicle insurance policies require immediate notification following any car accident on a leased car. The insurance company will set up a meeting with a claims adjuster. The claims adjuster will assess the car damage and thereafter he or she will advise you on the steps to follow in order to get the car repaired.

If you want to pursue a property damage claim, the process is similar as to when you own a vehicle. You can submit a claim on your own. Or, if you have an injury claim, you may be able to find an attorney who will help with the property damage at no additional cost. Start by looking for an injury or non-injury car accident lawyer from a law firm of renowned professionals to represent your interests and to get you the compensation you deserve.

For both injury and non-injury car accident lawyers, the author recommends Crowsonlaw.Com