Car Accidents In Leased Vehicles

Leasing a vehicle instead of buying it outright is oftentimes one of the best financial decisions you can make when you’re looking for a car. Not only do you get to pay less for a newer car, but returning it afterward is easier than ever. However, there are certain considerations you need to take into account when driving a leased vehicle.

A car accident in a leased vehicle works a bit differently than it does if you’re driving a vehicle that you own. It’s best to know what to expect beforehand to make sure you’re prepared if any accidents do happen when you’re behind the wheel. Read more about what to expect if you’re involved in a car accident in a leased vehicle.

What to do First

If you are involved in an accident, the first thing you need to concern yourself with is no different than any other kind of accident. You need to make sure you’re okay. If you are, then make sure everybody else involved is okay as well. After that, contact the proper emergency authorities to get responders on the scene as soon as possible.

Make sure to request medical services and the police so any injuries can be taken care of and the scene is well documented. A well documented scene comes in handy if there’s a dispute later on about the nature of the accident. You’ll also want to get contact details and insurance information from everyone involved. This is essential for proper reporting later on. If you can, take pictures of the accident scene yourself for evidence highlighting positioning and damage.

How to Report

When you signed your lease contract, it’s likely that there was a condition in there stating you had to have insurance when driving. There’s also likely a condition that you have to notify the leasing agency or dealership that you’ve been involved in an accident. You’ll also need to notify your insurance agency, so a claims adjuster can conduct an inspection.

If you owned the car, the insurance agency typically gives you instructions regarding repairs, but with a leased vehicle, the leasing agency will usually have additional instructions for you to follow. One of the most common requirements for leased vehicles is that you only use original manufacturer parts. Failing to heed these requirements could lead to serious fines after your contract is up.

Making a Claim

When the other driver is at fault for the accident, you may want to make a claim. For a leased vehicle, this process is no different than if you owned the vehicle. You contact the other person’s insurance agency and make your case. If it’s rejected, you could try suing the other driver directly, but that typically costs quite a bit and takes a long time.

Regardless of whether or not you get the compensation you deserve, a leased vehicle needs to get repaired one way or another. That’s why most leasing contracts require you to have both collision and liability insurance to cover all kinds of damage. For this particular situation, collision insurance is a must.

Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’re involved in a car accident in a leased vehicle, you’ll need a skilled personal injury lawyer to see you through. For service you can count on, look no further than Andy Citrin Personal Injury Attorneys.

For the last 28 years, we’ve been helping people all over Alabama get the compensation they deserve and would love to help you as well. We’re so confident in our skills that you don’t have to pay us a dime if we don’t win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation!