A car accident in a leased vehicle is different than a car accident in a car that you own. In this post, you’re going to learn what you should do if you’re in a car accident in a leased vehicle.
Assess the Medical Condition of Everyone Involved
The first thing you should do if you’re in a car accident in a leased vehicle is the same step you should take if you owned the vehicle. Assess the medical condition of everyone involved. Call 911 for medical emergencies. Even if you don’t have a serious injury or don’t think you are hurt at all, make sure that you get medical attention from your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic within the next day or so. Getting checked out medically soon after an accident is important both for your health, and in the event you need to make an injury claim.
Call the Police
The next step is to call the police. The purpose of calling the police is to get a third-party report and investigation of the scene. The police will talk to you and anyone else involved in the car accident. They will also facilitate the exchange of personal and insurance information. You’ll be given a crash report number so that you can get a copy of the report in a day or two from Texas’s Crash Records Information System (C.R.I.S.). Police officers are required to submit a written report of motor vehicle crashes they investigate to TxDOT within 10 days of the crash, per Texas Transportation Code §550.062.
Document the Accident Scene
Use your smartphone to document the scene in its entirety. Take pictures of the property damage to all cars involved, including yours and any other drivers involved in the collision. Also, take pictures of the condition of the road, the intersection, debris from the accident, and even something that helps document the weather. If the accident occurred at an intersection, it is also generally a good idea to document where in the intersection the accident occurred. This can be very helpful when you report the accident and if you pursue a legal claim against the negligent driver.
Reporting the Car Accident
One thing to remember about leasing a car is that you’re still required to carry car insurance on the vehicle. If you’re involved in a car accident in a leased vehicle, you’ll likely need to report the car accident to more than just the insurance company. Your lease agreement may also state that you need to report the accident to the dealership or the leasing agency. It’s important that you review your lease agreement and follow its directions related to reporting the accident.
Contact Thompson Law
Car accidents in leased vehicles are treated a bit differently since it’s a car that you don’t own. After you’ve followed the steps above, contact Thompson Law at 844-308-8180. Our car accident lawyers can help you deal with the dealership or leasing agency, the insurance company, and the other involved drivers. We can also help you protect any potential legal claim that you may have against the other driver for negligence. You may have a legal claim for property damage, your injuries, and any time you lost from work.
Don’t try to negotiate with the other driver or the insurance company on your own and remember that the dealership or leasing agency has only one thing in mind: how they can protect their investment. You need Thompson Law is on your side.
Call 214-444-4444 in Dallas, 817-444-4444 in Fort Worth, 972-444-4444 in North Texas, 469-444-4444 in the DFW Mid-Cities, or toll free at 844-308-8180 right away to schedule your free and confidential consultation.
