Being involved in a car accident in a leased vehicle is not much different from being in a car accident in any other vehicle. However, there are a few differences that you need to be aware of in the event your leased vehicle is wrecked.
What Do I Do First If My Leased Vehicle Is Wrecked?
If you are in a traffic accident, your first priority is your health. Call 911 for emergency medical services if you or another person requires immediate medical treatment. Also, request that the police respond to the accident scene. While you are waiting for the police to arrive, take photographs of the vehicles and the accident scene if you are able to do so safely. In addition, ask for the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the collision.
Make notes about the accident while everything is fresh on your mind. Include what you remember immediately prior to, during, and after the collision. Include notes about anything that is said by the other driver or witnesses. Furthermore, add details about the road conditions, weather conditions, and any specific details that pertain to the accident scene. The smallest detail may be exactly what your Indianapolis car accident lawyer needs to prove the other driver was at fault for the collision.
Reporting the Traffic Accident And Making Vehicle Repairs
You are required to report the traffic accident to your insurance company, regardless of whether you are at fault for the collision. In addition, your lease agreement may have a provision that requires you to report the traffic accident to the leasing company and/or the dealership. If you are unsure what you are required to do after an accident in a leased vehicle, refer to your lease agreement. Our Indianapolis car accident lawyer can provide assistance if you are unsure how to proceed.
In a typical car accident, the insurance company for the at-fault driver will send an insurance adjuster to inspect your vehicle, request you take the vehicle to the body shop for an estimate, or instruct you to bring the vehicle to a specific location for inspection. The insurance adjuster determines how much the insurance company will pay to repair your vehicle. Some insurance companies may try to pressure you to use one of its repair shops or utilize used parts to repair your vehicle.
You do not have to accept the insurance adjuster’s offer to repair your vehicle until you have consulted with an Indianapolis car accident lawyer. Remember, once you sign a release, you are barred from making any future claims regarding property damage; therefore, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced accident attorney before accepting an insurance offer.
What If The Insurance Company Denies Liability?
If the insurance company denies liability, you may be required by your lease agreement to pay to have the leased vehicle repaired yourself. Most lease agreements require that you carry collision insurance to cover damage to the leased vehicle. If the insurance company for the other driver refuses to pay for repairs, you may need to file a claim against our own insurance company. Your insurance company will pay for the repairs; however, it may pursue a claim against the other insurance company to try to recoup its costs. Your insurance company may require you to reimburse the company for any costs if you recover a settlement from the insurance company for the other driver.
Our Indianapolis car accident lawyer can help you through the process of filing a property damage claim to have your leased vehicle repaired as quickly as possible. Working with an attorney can help ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance company, regardless of whether it is your insurance company or the insurance company for the other driver.
How Can An Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer Help You With A Car Accident Claim?
Call The Ken Nunn Law Office at 1-800-CALL-KEN or 1-800-225-5536 to speak with an Indianapolis car accident lawyer. Our Indianapolis car accident lawyer offers a free, no-obligation case evaluation and legal obligation.
