What If I’m In A Car Accident While My Car Is On Lease?

Car accidents are stressful and unfortunate events. Not only is a car accident a frightening incident with many psychological side effects, but you could find yourself out of work, recovering from injuries, and filing an automobile claim. Where does it end? If you were driving a leased vehicle, you might not even know where to start. Leasing a car from a dealership has a lot of benefits. This route is especially good for those who find themselves trading in cars before their loan is paid or those who are on a tight budget. Leasing a vehicle is becoming more popular — which means that more drivers are getting into accidents in leased vehicles.

At Mitch Grissim & Associates, we know that the time after a car accident is very stressful, and working with a great car accident lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee, will ease your stress. If you have wrecked a leased vehicle, do not panic. There are a few more steps that you will need to take, but the process is quite simple. Here is an overview of what you need to do if you are in a car accident with a leased vehicle.

1. Take Care of Yourself

First things first — you. Before worrying about anything else, be sure that you have been taken care of. Do not deny care after an accident. Some injuries do not make themselves present until much later. Having a detailed history of medical care could be critical in pursuing a personal injury claim.

2. Get the Details

After any accident, you want to make sure that the details are recorded thoroughly and accurately. This is particularly important with a leased vehicle since your leasing agency will want the information for their own case. Work with police officers who are investigating the scene and tell them exactly what happened. Take pictures that clearly show the damage and position of all vehicles that were involved. Do not forget to get the name, driver’s license, and insurance information of all drivers who were involved in the accident.

3. Contact Your Insurance and Leasing Agency

You will want to contact your insurance company first to begin your claim. Your company will help to make this process easy by walking you through each step. They should also be familiar with the policies and procedures that are required by your leasing agency and will make sure that any work authorized on the vehicle is compliant. Most leasing agencies require drivers to contact them as soon as possible in the event that they have been in a car accident. After you have called your insurance company and started the claim, be sure to contact the company which you are leasing the car through.

4. Insurance Coverage And Leasing

A car lease is an agreement between a customer and a leasing company, where a customer takes a car on a rental basis for a fixed period of time. A customer is expected to pay a fixed amount of money each month to use the car. In the end, the customer usually has the option of buying the car or returning it to the leasing company. As such, it is important to understand the terms of the car lease before signing the agreement.

What Is Covered In A Car Lease Agreement?

A car lease agreement typically covers the terms of the lease, including the lease period, the monthly payment amount, the insurance requirements, the maintenance requirements, and any other pertinent details. Additionally, the agreement may include language that outlines what happens in the event of an accident in a leased vehicle. It is important to read and understand the car lease agreement before signing it.

Steps To Take After The Accident

If you are involved in an accident in a leased vehicle, the most important step to take is to remain calm and get to safety. Once you are safe, it is important to contact the police and insurance company to report the accident. Additionally, you should be prepared to provide information to the police, such as your driver’s license number and insurance policy information.

Determining Fault

If you are in an accident with another vehicle, it is important to determine who is at fault. The police may be able to determine this, or you may need to hire a car accident attorney to help you. Additionally, the insurance companies for both drivers may need to investigate the accident to determine who was at fault.

Responsibilities Of The Leasing Company

If you are in an accident in a leased vehicle, the leasing company is typically responsible for any damage to the leased vehicle. In some cases, the leasing company may also cover the damage to the other vehicle involved in the accident, depending on the terms of the car lease agreement.

Handling Damage To The Leased Vehicle

If you are in an accident in a leased vehicle, the leasing company usually has the responsibility of handling the repairs to the car. The leasing company may either pay for repairs directly or provide a rental car while the repairs are being made.

Obtaining A Rental Car

If the leased vehicle is not repairable or needs to be repaired for an extended period of time, the leasing company may provide you with a rental car. The terms of the rental car may vary, so it is important to inquire about these details before making a rental reservation.

Handling Damage To The Leased Vehicle

In the event of a leased car accident, the insurance company typically covers the repair costs of the leased car and any other damages that may have occurred. Additionally, the insurance company may also cover the cost of a rental car if the leased vehicle needs to be repaired for an extended period of time. If the accident was caused by the driver of the leased car, the insurance company may also cover the costs of any third-party damages.

Gap Insurance

If the leased vehicle is deemed a total loss after the accident, the insurance company may not cover the full cost of the car. This is where gap insurance can be beneficial. Gap insurance covers the difference between the value of the car and the amount that is paid off on the lease. This coverage is usually optional, so it is important to inquire about gap insurance before signing the car lease agreement.

Reporting The Accident

If you are involved in a leased car accident, it is important to report the accident to the police and your insurance company. Additionally, you may need to contact the leasing company to inform them of the accident. The leasing company may need to provide you with a rental car while the repairs to the leased vehicle are being made.

When involved in a leased car accident, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure that the vehicle repairs are handled properly. The first step after the accident should be to file a police report. This report can be used as evidence in the case, should it be necessary. Additionally, a police report can be used to determine who is at fault in the accident and how it may affect vehicle repairs.

Leased cars often require special care when it comes to vehicle repairs. It is important to contact the leasing company as soon as possible after an accident and to inquire about their policies on vehicle repairs. The leasing company may provide you with a rental car while the repairs on the leased car are being made. They may also cover the cost of the repairs or have their own repair team to handle the repairs.

If the accident was caused by the driver of the leased car, the insurance company may also cover the costs of any third-party damages. This is why it is important to file a police report and inform the insurance company. The insurance company may also provide gap insurance to cover the difference between the value of the car and the amount that is paid off on the lease.

In the event of a leased car accident, it is important to hire a car accident attorney to help you determine who is at fault. The attorney may also be able to negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you are properly compensated for any damages incurred in the accident. Additionally, the attorney may be able to provide guidance on how to handle the repairs to the leased vehicle.

It is important to remember that vehicle accidents can have a lasting effect on the parties involved. Therefore, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure that the vehicle repairs are handled properly. This includes filing a police report, informing the insurance company, and hiring a car accident attorney. By taking these steps, you can ensure that the accident is handled properly and that any damages incurred are properly compensated.

Hiring A Car Accident Attorney

If you are involved in a leased car accident and there is disagreement as to who is at fault, it is important to hire a car accident attorney. An experienced car accident attorney can help you to determine who is at fault and how to proceed with the case. The attorney may also be able to negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you are properly compensated for any damages incurred in the accident.

Proving Negligence

When a leased vehicle is involved in an accident, the driver’s insurance company is responsible for the damages to the vehicle and any other property or persons affected by the accident. The driver of the leased car is liable for any damages incurred if they are found to be at fault for the accident. The vehicle lease company may also be affected by the accident, as they are the owners of the leased car. They may need to involve their insurance company to cover the damages, depending on the severity of the accident and the cost of repairs.

The body shop is responsible for repairing the leased vehicle after the accident. They must assess the level of damage and the cost of repairs to return the car to its original condition. The body shop may need to acquire parts from the vehicle lease company in order to complete the repairs. The at fault driver is responsible for paying for all repairs to the leased vehicle as well as any other damages resulting from the accident.

The effects of the accident on the driver, the vehicle lease company, and any other parties involved can be significant. The at fault driver may be liable for the cost of repairs to the leased vehicle, as well as any damages to other property or persons affected by the accident. The vehicle lease company may need to involve their insurance company to cover the costs of the repairs, and they may also require the at fault driver to pay for any additional costs as well. The body shop is responsible for returning the leased car to its original condition, but they may need to acquire parts from the vehicle lease company in order to do so.

Obtaining A Rental Car

If the leased vehicle is not repairable or needs to be repaired for an extended period of time, the leasing company may provide you with a rental car. The terms of the rental car may vary, so it is important to inquire about these details before making a rental reservation.

Your Trusted Car Accident Lawyer in Nashville, TN

Leased vehicle accidents can be stressful to navigate. With the other driver’s insurance company, the leased car, and hiring personal injury lawyers, the overwhelm can make the situation seem impossible to mitigate. But, by securing the right assistance, you may just make it out alive. Talk with the car dealership that you leased the vehicle from, and make sure your medical bills and records are in order if they’re needed. File your insurance claim on time and speak with a claims adjuster to ensure proper financial compensation.

Mitch Grissim & Associates, your trusted Nashville, TN car accident lawyer, know that the process of filing claims and pursuing compensation can seem daunting. If you would like more information, visit our areas of practice page or contact a representative with our firm today.