3 Ways to Prevent Car Accidents Caused by Recalled Rentals

Buying a used car or getting a rental can be an economical choice for transportation. However, it’s important to remember that doing so comes with risks of getting a recalled vehicle.

There are roughly 2 million rental cars and trucks on the road at any given time and another 50 million used vehicles are bought and sold each year. But there are no regulations in place to ensure these vehicles are properly serviced, leading to an estimated 30 percent of older vehicles with recalled parts.

NBC News explains the dangers these defective vehicles pose was underscored by a crash caused by a company’s failure to fix a recall on a vehicle rented to two women. The accident prompted lawmakers to consider legislation requiring recalls to be fixed on rentals and used cars that are being bought and sold, but little headway has been made over the past several years.

So what can you do to ensure the vehicle you are getting is safe? The Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers with William Mattar Law Offices suggest following these three tips:

1. Research– Prior to renting or buying a vehicle, check in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s database of vehicle recalls to ensure the car or truck you are looking at is not included.
2. Ask– If the vehicle has been recalled, ask the rental company or owner if the problem has been resolved. Also, check to see documentation of the repair.
3. Get Insured– Make sure the vehicle’s policy includes No Fault and supplemental underinsured motorist coverage.