You have probably heard of these horror stories of people renting cars and receiving exaggerated bills for damages they didn’t cause. It’s probably damage that occurred before or after you drove, but somehow you’ve become responsible for it. It sounds outrageous, but rental car companies have the right to hold drivers liable for any damages or alterations that happen to the car during their rental period. But how do you prove you aren’t responsible for the said damages? Let’s dig in.

What to Do Before Leaving The Lot

You have already settled on a vehicle, paid for it, and signed the agreement. There’s one thing to do before driving off to prevent future problems with the rental dealer. You might want to inspect while recording the conditions of the vehicle.

Do a Full Inspection for Damages

Take clear photos of the vehicle in all angles and mark all damages on a piece of paper. Ensure that you check the tires and talk to the dealer in the case the car indicates a problem. At this point, a quick visual inspection of all the parts of the vehicle is probably all you will manage. Straight-line all details with the dealer and add them in your contract to make the agreement formal.

Accidents and Rental Cars

Once you drive off the lot, any damages that come up, such as the car getting vandalized or an accident, you could be held liable. If you’ve been involved in an accident after taking a rental car off the lot, it’s important to seek medical attention for your injuries and report the accident to law enforcement. Notify the rental car company as well. If our accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with pursing compensation for injuries sustained in a car accident, Contact Weinstein & Scharf, P.A. today at (954) 482-4534 to learn more about how we can help.