Getting into a car accident can be an extremely stressful experience, especially if the car involved is not yours. While prioritizing everyone’s safety is crucial, you may also wonder, “What happens if you get into an accident with a leased car?
Immediate Steps to Take After a Leased Car Accident
While no one plans to get into a car accident, it is essential to be aware of the immediate steps to take if you do. Here are some of them:
Ensure Safety:
After a leased car accident, make sure to check yourself and others involved for injuries.
Report to the Authorities:
Contact the police to file an accident report. This report is crucial for insurance claims and legal matters.
Reach Out to Your Insurance Company:
Report the accident to your insurance company immediately to initiate the claims process.
Inform the Car Leasing Company:
Leasing companies often have specific procedures you must follow after an accident, so it is vital to inform them about the accident immediately.
After a car accident, you may wonder,” What steps do I need to take if the leased car accident was not my fault?” The answer remains the same as the previous steps above. Therefore, it is essential to remember these steps to ensure you have sufficient evidence if you choose to file a claim.
Why It Is Important to Contact the Leasing Company After the Car Accident
It is important to promptly notify the leasing company about any accidents involving the vehicle. Since the leasing company is the owner of the vehicle, they need to be informed about any damages or incidents concerning their property.
Here are reasons for contacting the leasing company after the accident:
Ownership and Liability:
The leasing company is the rightful owner of the vehicle, so it is crucial to inform them of any accident. This allows them to manage their property properly.
Specific Procedure:
After an accident, it is important to adhere to the leasing company’s specific procedures. These procedures ensure that the car is repaired to exact standards and that insurance claims are handled correctly and quickly.
Lease Agreement Compliance:
Your lease agreement probably contains specific clauses regarding the obligation to report accidents and follow certain procedures. Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in penalties or extra fees.
Coordination with Insurance Company:
The leasing company might have to work with your insurance provider to ensure that the repairs or total loss settlement are managed correctly and efficiently.
Understanding Liability and Insurance Coverage
When a car accident occurs with a leased vehicle and it is established that you are not at fault, the insurance policy of the driver who caused the accident generally covers the damages. This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance should cover the costs associated with the damages to the leased vehicle, including repairs and related expenses.
It is important to carefully document the details of the accident and work with your leasing company and insurance providers to ensure that the process of getting the vehicle repaired and any other necessary actions are handled appropriately.
Liability Coverage:
To drive legally, you must have liability insurance. This insurance covers the costs of damage or injuries to other people. This includes damage to vehicles and injuries to others in an accident.
Property Damage Coverage:
This part of liability insurance covers the cost of repairing the leased car if it’s damaged by the driver who caused the accident.
Who Gets the Insurance Check When a Leased Car Is Totaled?
When a leased car is totaled, the insurance payout typically goes to the leasing company to cover the remaining lease balance. If the insurance payment is less than what you owe, you might have to pay the difference unless you have gap insurance. Always check if your lease includes gap insurance or if you need to purchase it separately.
Seek Legal Guidance
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be very overwhelming, especially if you’ve been injured. It becomes even more stressful if the vehicle is leased. If you find yourself in this situation and need legal guidance, you can schedule a free consultation with our Henderson car accident lawyer at Jones Wilson Injury Lawyers by calling 702-405-6000.