While different car share companies have different rules, regarding a driver’s right to claim insurance coverage, following the same driver’s involvement in an accident, all companies enforce one simple rule. The involved driver must report the incident to the appropriate car sharing company as soon as possible.
Varied approaches to a determination of the costs created by a given accident
Some companies charge a repair deductible, one that could be as high as $500. If the authorized driver has allowed someone else to sit behind the steering wheel, the size of the deductible will be increased.
A company might ask drivers to carry added insurance. That could be used to cover the damages not covered by the company’s liability, comprehensive and collision coverage. The liable driver would be expected to pay the deductible, plus any related expenses.
A third approach forces the car sharing company to make use of a waiver. Customers get asked to sign an optional waiver. If the waiver-signing customer becomes a driver, and if that driver gets involved in an accident, the company’s $1,000 damage/accident fee is waived. Still, there are times when the damage/accident fee does not get cancelled. Those exceptions arise whenever a driver has been charged with DUI, with driving after using alcohol or drugs. Similarly, the fee does not get cancelled if the driver was guilty of driving while using a cell phone.
Actions to be taken by an authorized driver for a car sharing company
Before driving the shared vehicle, take some pictures of that same set-of-wheels. That might serve as proof that the photographed vehicle had a minor dent before it became involved in an accident. The existence of such proof would reduce the extent of any costs that were linked to the same accident.
At the time of any collision, get as much documentation as possible. Take pictures of the damage. Shoot from angels that are close to the ones used when taking the original set of pictures. Injury Lawyer in Burlington asks the victim to photograph any sign or traffic light at the scene of the collision, as well as the markings on the road’s surface.
Get statements from witnesses; get the contact information for the same witnesses. Check to see if there are any businesses, restaurants or parking lots in the vicinity of the spot where the vehicles collided. Such an establishment might have a video camera focused on the spot of interest.
Plan to return to the scene later. At that time, it should be possible to ask about the existence of any video footage. Do not wait too long before going back to that spot. Otherwise, the taped footage of the collision-of-interest might have been erased by the establishment with the well-focused camera.
