What to Do If Your Tempe Crash Involved a Rental Car
A car accident is stressful enough — but when one of the vehicles involved is a rental, the situation gets a lot more complicated. Whether you were driving a rental yourself or hit by someone who was, understanding your next steps is crucial for protecting your rights.
In Tempe, where many out-of-towners rent cars to explore ASU or nearby Phoenix, crashes involving rental vehicles are more common than you might think. If this happens near Downtown Tempe, Escalante, or even the Tempe Marketplace area, you’ll need to navigate both Arizona car accident law and rental company policies.
Before signing any documents or speaking to the rental agency’s insurer, consult a Tempe car accident attorney who can help you protect your claim.
Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Call the Police
As with any car accident:
Check for injuries and call 911 if needed
Move vehicles out of traffic if possible
File a police report — this is especially important in rental car cases
Be sure to notify the responding officer if a rental car is involved. They’ll document the rental company name and plate number, which will matter later.
Step 2: Exchange All Driver and Rental Vehicle Information
When a rental car is involved, collect the usual info — plus a few extras:
Driver’s license
Personal insurance (if applicable)
Rental car agreement (ask for a photo of it)
Rental company name and location
Insurance policy provided by the rental company (if available)
If you’re the one driving the rental, call the rental company’s emergency accident line immediately to report the crash.
Step 3: Take Detailed Photos of the Scene and Damage
Documentation is everything — especially when multiple insurers are involved. Photograph:
All vehicles involved
License plates
Driver’s license and rental agreement (if allowed)
Road signs, weather, skid marks
Visible injuries
This is even more important if the other driver fled the scene, as often occurs in Tempe hit-and-run crashes.
Step 4: Understand Insurance Coverage Options
If you were driving the rental:
You might be covered by:
Your own auto insurance policy
The rental car company’s supplemental coverage (if purchased)
Credit card coverage, if the rental was booked with a card offering benefits
Check all three sources. If you declined the rental company's coverage, you’ll rely on your personal policy or credit card — but the rental company may still charge you upfront for damage and fees.
If the other driver was in a rental:
You’ll need to deal with:
Their personal auto insurance (if they declined rental coverage)
The rental car company’s liability provider
Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if they had none
Insurers often play hot potato with these cases. An attorney can help cut through the finger-pointing and make sure the right party pays.
Step 5: Don’t Let the Rental Company Push You Around
If you were driving the rental, the company might:
Demand payment for damage
Charge your credit card without your permission
Send collection notices
Accuse you of violating the agreement
Don’t let fear push you into paying or signing anything. Rental companies are notorious for overcharging — and you may have legal protections they aren’t telling you about.
If you were hit by someone in a rental, the company may deny responsibility entirely. Again, this is where a skilled injury lawyer becomes essential.
Special Considerations for Serious Injury Cases
If your crash resulted in:
Pedestrian injuries
… then your case involves long-term damages. Accepting an early settlement (or letting rental insurers lowball your claim) could cost you thousands.
Get a lawyer involved early to calculate the full value of your losses and preserve your rights under Arizona law.
Can You Sue a Rental Car Company Directly?
Usually, no — unless they:
Failed to maintain the vehicle properly
Rented a car to someone they shouldn’t have (e.g., with no license)
Violated state or federal laws
Arizona law limits the liability of rental companies under the federal Graves Amendment. However, there are exceptions. If you suspect the rental car itself caused the crash, ask your attorney to investigate.
Final Thought
Rental car accidents in Tempe add legal and logistical headaches to an already stressful situation. But whether you were in the rental or hit by one, you have the right to pursue compensation — and to demand clarity and fairness from every party involved.
Don’t let rental companies or insurers shift the blame or the cost onto you.
