From Antrim to Ardglass, getting into a road traffic accident when you are in a rented vehicle adds a new level of discomfort to what is already a difficult time. Follow this guide to what to do after you crash your rental car or van in NI.

If you have a collision while you are driving a rental vehicle, or even if your rental car or van takes damage when you have parked it, then you have responsibilities to the rental car company, to yourself, and to the other driver.

Car crashes are already stressful, so Lacey Solicitors put together this guide to RTAs in a rental car to keep you informed.

 

Crashing a Rental Vehicle is Stressful

 

When you crash your own vehicle, you know which insurance company to contact. When you crash a hire vehicle, you might not. Worse, you have extra steps to follow after your accident to make sure you protect your own interests – and your finances.

This handy guide to what to do if you crash your rental van or hired car should take some of the panic out of an RTA in a vehicle which is not yours.

 

What Happens if You Crash a Rental Car in NI?

 

If you crash in a rented vehicle on Northern Irish roads, you are covered by UK law. This means that you:

•       Have a duty to stop and help. If you cannot help, then call 999 and report the accident. Preferably both of the above.
•       Set up your warning triangle and turn on your hazard lights if you or another vehicle are obstructing the road.
•       Photograph the accident, including damage to road furniture and direction of travel of all involved.
•       Call your rental company and report the accident. Ask for further advice. They will have a policy in place to deal with accidents. Usually this involves filing a claim for damages and an accident report form.
•       Contact your own road traffic accident solicitor. They will advise you on what you should do next.

Lacey Solicitors, Belfast, offer support for car crash victims throughout Northern Ireland. We can help you bring a claim for compensation against the perpetrator while negotiating the intricacies of an RTA in a vehicle you did not own.

 

The First Thing You Must Do After a Car Collision

 

Calling for help or to report the accident, no matter how small, makes a paper trail for the rental company’s insurers to follow. This makes it a vital first step after crashing a rented car or hired van. Making sure people are safe can go hand in hand with this. For example, calling the ambulance for the injured or calling the police to alert them to the accident.

You MUST report all car accidents to the police in the UK within 24 hours.

 

Checking Your Rental Car Company’s Policy

 

You should always review the documents you were given when you hired the car after an accident in a rented vehicle. This should set out what you are liable for and what the car’s insurance covers.

In Northern Ireland, your car hire company may be one of the following:

Sixt Northern Ireland, Kings Self Drive, Self Drive Belfast, Enterprise Car & Van Hire, Practical Car and Van Hire, SVRgo Self Drive, Hertz Belfast International, SJS Vehicle Hire, or Drivalia, Belfast.

 

Who is Liable for an Accident in a Rented Van?

 

If you have an accident while driving your rented car or van, you are liable for any loss or damages which you caused.

Whether you did or did not cause the accident, the rental company’s insurance firm, or the separate insurance you took out to cover the rented vehicle should cover the damages. Check your paperwork to see if there is an excess due.

Lastly, visit Lacey Solicitors in Belfast for expert advice on road traffic accidents, whether you crash your own car, or someone else’s. Use our contact us page to get in touch and begin the process of claiming compensation after a collision.