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What Happens If You Crash a Rental Car?

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

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Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Read Time: 5 mins

If you get into an accident while driving a rental car, you as the renter are responsible for damage to the vehicle, whether or not you were at fault for the crash. However, you may be protected from having to pay out of pocket by your insurance coverage. Three possible sources of insurance to cover damages or injuries resulting from the crash include the rental car company, the credit card you used to pay for the rental car, or your own personal car insurance.

Navigating confusing rental car contracts and the complex intersection of multiple insurance coverages can be extremely challenging in the aftermath of a crash, especially if you are recovering from a serious injury. An experienced car accident lawyer for Rockland and Bergen counties can help simplify the process, protect you from unexpected liability, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve to cover mounting medical bills, property losses, lost wages, and more. If you are being hounded by the rental car company to pay up, don’t agree to anything until you have spoken to an attorney at KGG Law. All initial car accident consultations are free of charge.

What should you do if you get into a car accident while driving a rental car?

Here are six things you should do if you get into a crash while driving a rental car:

Get immediate medical assistance for anyone seriously injured in the crash and have a physician assess your injuries and the injuries of any passengers in your car as soon as is possible, even if those injuries seem to be minor or insignificant
Collect as much information about the accident as is possible, including names and contact information for all drivers and passengers, pictures of the vehicles and the accident scene, and the names and contact information for any witnesses
Promptly file a report with law enforcement authorities
Contact your auto insurance carrier to begin a claim
Contact the rental company to report the crash immediately and get a claim number to verify that you have reported the accident
Return the car to a rental company agent or, if it is not drivable, make arrangements to have it returned

Who is responsible for damages and injuries in a rental car crash?

The negligent party that caused the auto accident and that party’s insurance company will always bear primary liability for car crash damages.

Reimbursements for damages will be more complex when the crash involves a rental car. Under both New York and New Jersey law, you are not required to purchase the extra insurance the rental car companies offer when you get your car. If you purchased a collision damage waiver with your rental, you may not be immediately responsible for the physical damage to the rental car. Without that insurance, the company will likely charge you for that damage. Your insurance may cover those charges, depending on what kind of coverage you have.

If your crash was caused by the negligence of another driver or other party, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against that party seeking damages for your injuries and other losses. The car accident lawyers at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. can help you to pursue reimbursement from the negligent party. We can also negotiate with the rental company on your behalf to reduce your immediate exposure to charges for damage to the rental car.

Will the rental company charge more than the cost of repairing the rental car?

Car rental companies can charge a renter extra fees for the reduction in the value of the crashed car, for their loss of use of the rental car while it is being repaired, and for administrative costs incurred in resolving liability for the accident. These extra fees can be included as part of the damages you seek when filing suit against the negligent party.

Will the rental car company ever be liable for damages?

Rental car companies must provide a vehicle that is safe and free from all known or obvious defects. If the company rents a car that has an apparent safety problem and that problem is the proximate cause of the crash, the company may be liable for damages. Safety problems are best detected with an engineering investigation of the vehicle immediately after the crash. When you partner with KGG Law, our network of top-tier crash investigators will determine whether mechanical defects in your rental car were responsible for the accident and make sure that evidence of these defects is preserved.

Protect Your Rights After a Rental Car Crash in NY or NJ

After a rental car accident, prevent your exposure to additional costs and fees from the rental car company and fight to hold the at-fault party responsible for your medical bills and other damages by reaching out to the dedicated attorneys at KGG Law. In complex cases such as these, the law firm you choose matters. Call anytime, 24/7, to schedule a free case review.

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   LWelsh 
 2 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
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   Kenny Perlow 
 23 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
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   Aliza Ali 
 87 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
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   Jana Montero 
 90 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
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   Mike Sakmann 
 96 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
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   Liz Hecker 
 102 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
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   Brandy Miller 
 125 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
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   Mike Greenspan 
 138 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
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   Jonathan Sampson 
 145 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
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   Vinnie Kung 
 148 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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What Happens If You Crash a Rental Car?

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