Any car accident is a frustrating and scary experience, but what do you do when one happens on vacation?

Figuring out how to manage a car accident in your home state is hard enough. Things only get more complicated when they happen in a state that you’re unfamiliar with.

Something you might not know is that different states deal with fault differently. This means that the way fault is allocated and how much compensation you’re eligible for may vary from what you’d expect in your home state.

Fortunately, navigating a car accident while using a rental car on vacation is not too difficult to deal with. We’ll give you some vital suggestions to keep in mind below should this ever happen to you!

Follow Standard Accident Protocol

The first thing you must do is to follow standard accident protocol.

If you’ve ever been in an accident before, then you likely understand what this entails. However, you might have an accident-free driving record and this can make matters confusing.

The standard accident procedure involves several tasks. You’ll need to document the accident, exchange information with the other driver, contact the police, and call your insurance provider.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your accident, these tasks should always come first. However, there is one additional task you’ll need to do during this process.

You’ll also need to reach out to the rental car company that you’re using. Their vehicle was involved in an accident and they need to be aware of this.

Being thorough during this process is essential for a quick and positive resolution. You don’t want to deal with this when you get back home, so limiting the burden for yourself entails being thorough during standard accident protocol.

Understand Your Insurance Coverage

One of the most important aspects of getting into an accident on vacation is understanding your insurance coverage.

There are two primary ways that you might be covered. This includes your standard auto policy and coverage provided by the rental company.

Depending on the terms of the auto policy you use at home, you may or may not be covered when using a rental car. Generally speaking, you will be covered if you have both liability and comprehensive coverage.

The other option is rental insurance. When you were renting the car, you were likely asked if you wanted insurance for the vehicle.

Insurance drastically increases the cost of a rental, so there’s a possibility that you declined it. Alternatively, it will cover you if you opted to pay for it.

You typically can’t rent a car without having some type of insurance covering it, so you need to figure out who it is. From here, you can figure out how to resolve the situation.

Plan For Alternative Transportation

You’re also going to need to find alternative transportation.

This might seem obvious, but you may be so wrapped up in the immediate aftermath of an accident that you forget to do this.

You might have the option of renting another car, but you may feel hesitant about this after crashing the last one. There are also the alternatives of using ridesharing services or public transportation.

What you decide to go with doesn’t matter, just as long as you do make plans for it. An accident doesn’t need to ruin your vacation and this means working around it.

Your glaring need after a rental crash is transportation, so solving this problem will make it easier for you to enjoy the rest of your trip. If you do opt for another rental, be especially safe to avoid another accident!

Consult a Lawyer

When you get back home, it’s a great idea to get in touch with a lawyer. Doing this is important for numerous reasons.

First, they’ll help you understand who is at fault. The exact fault laws vary by state, so you need to know how this applies to the state that you had a crash in.

Second, understanding fault will help you determine if you can seek compensation for your pain and suffering. A lawyer can tell you if you have a good case and what your chances of receiving a settlement are.

Finally, you’ll need a lawyer should you choose to pursue legal action against the other driver. There’s nobody better for this than the lawyer you’ve already fully informed about your accident!

While a lawyer may be costly, they are well worth the price when they win you compensation for your accident.

Closing Thoughts

The last thing you want to think about on vacation is a car accident, but one can happen and you need to be prepared for it.

A few things to remember doing after an accident include following standard accident protocol, figuring out your insurance coverage, finding alternative transportation, and consulting a lawyer when you get home.

Even if you’re the best driver, someone else can cause you to get into a car accident. If this happens on vacation, don’t let it stop you from enjoying the rest of your trip!

Thoroughly deal with the accident and then get back to the fun!