Rental Car Safety

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Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers discuss rental car safety. At one time or another, most people wind up renting a car. You may need repair work on your own car and cannot do without transportation for the day. You may want to rent a car while traveling. Or, you may not own a car, but need a car for a special occasion.

But before you venture out in a rental car, there are a few safety precautions you should take to make sure your trip is not only satisfying, but also safe.

The first and perhaps most obvious safety tip you should utilize when renting a car is to become familiar with the car and its functions, before you leave the parking lot. You do not want to merge into traffic, only to discover that you do not know how to turn on the headlights, turn down the volume on the radio, turn the heat up or down, turn on the windshield wipers, and so on.

If panic sets in, especially in a fast-paced, heavy traffic situation, your driving skills may be compromised, leaving you more vulnerable than you would be if you were familiar with the vehicle.

Likewise, if you are traveling in an unfamiliar area, you need to figure out where you need to go and how to get there before you enter the roadways, start to panic, and risk getting into a car accident.

To-Do Before Leaving the Parking Lot

Once you are feeling comfortably familiar with both the rental vehicle and your location, there are several other things you need to do before you leave the rental lot. These include:

  • Take a walk around the vehicle. Look for any damage or signs of poor maintenance. Take pictures if there is a scrape or a ding to avoid misunderstandings later. If the vehicle seems potentially unsafe, request another vehicle.
  • Check the trunk for a spare tire, and make sure it is in good condition and properly inflated. Also check for a jack and lug wrench, or any other essential tools.
  • Check the fluid levels – including oil, antifreeze, and washer fluid.
  • Survey the tires for uneven wear or damage.
  • Check the odometer. If the car has been driven for more than 25,000 miles, that is a sign that it may need extra maintenance.
  • Get into the vehicle and adjust the mirrors for good visibility.
  • Make sure the gas gauge is reading accurately.
  • Take a quick ride around the parking lot to check for any issues with turning and braking.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Are Here for You After an Accident

A car accident – whether in your own car or in a rented vehicle – can be traumatic. Your first concern is to be evaluated for any injuries. After that, there will be numerous responsibilities to take care of, many of them confusing, tedious, and complicated. The Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will work hard to build the strongest case possible, so that you can recover appropriate financial compensation for your injuries. With the peace of mind that a well-built case brings, you can concentrate on healing and moving on. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.