What steps should you take if you are involved in a car accident with your leased car?
The popularity of car leases has increased recently because a good number of people do not have enough financial capability to acquire their own cars. It is essential for you to be aware of the steps to take when you are involved in an accident while using a leased vehicle. These accidents may involve another vehicle or a pedestrian. Keep reading to become aware of the things you need to do.
What Are the First Things You Should Do?
The first thing you need to consider when you are involved in an accident is your own health and wellbeing. It is also essential for you to know what happened to the other people involved in the accident, including the driver and passengers of the other vehicle. Contact the appropriate emergency medical personnel or the fire department if medical assistance is necessary for you or the other people involved in the accident. In addition to the medical personnel, it is also advisable for you to contact the appropriate law enforcement personnel to ensure that the accident is well-documented. They will get statements from any witnesses to the accident and produce a police report. The official police report will facilitate the resolution of some concerns after the accident. This is especially useful when it comes to the liability of the persons involved in the accident.
It is essential for the people involved in the accident to swap information, such as contact numbers and information about their insurance companies. This information is important when you contact the insurance companies to inform them about the accident. Use your mobile phone to take pictures of the accident whenever the opportunity presents itself. Make sure to take pictures of the position of the vehicles involved along with the damage on each vehicle.
Who Should Know About the Accident?
Nearly all leased vehicles offer auto insurance. A provision on a majority of lease contracts obliges you to inform the leasing company or automobile company whenever the leased vehicle is involved in an accident. You may also be required to inform the auto insurance company whenever a leased vehicle is involved in an accident.
A meeting with a claims adjuster will be scheduled by the insurance company to evaluate the damage on the vehicle. The adjuster may meet with you at your place to make the estimate or the company may ask you to visit their local field location or the repair shop where the estimate is made. This will depend on the policy of the insurance company. After this, you will be guided by the insurance company on the steps to take in making sure the vehicle is fixed.
Getting the Leased Car Fixed
St. Louis car accident attorneys advise that it is essential for the leasing company or the dealer to be informed about the accident since these companies may ask you to comply with certain conditions before the vehicle is fixed. For instance, some companies may not allow after-market components to be used in fixing the vehicle. Instead, you may be obliged to use original components from the manufacturer when you have the vehicle fixed. You may end up paying penalties and other fees once the lease has ended if you do not meet the conditions required by the company.