Hire Car Crashes and Road Safety in the UK

Every year in the UK, millions of drivers take the wheel of a hire car, at airports, on holidays, or simply while their own vehicle is unavailable.

From a serious injury legal perspective, a hire car crash is generally treated like any other road traffic collision in UK law. But here we will discuss if there could be any specific risk patterns, safety challenges, and liability considerations associated with hire cars that drivers often overlook, making a collision more like to happen.

In this article, we explore:

• UK Car crash statistics and trends
• Why hire cars may be more prone to collisions
• Human behaviour and situational risk factors
• How to reduce risk when driving a hire car
• Key legal considerations including hire car damage liability and liability in hire car crashes
• What to do if you crash a hire car

UK hire car trends and the broader road safety picture

Hire car use in the UK is far from rare. According to the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association’s Rental Outlook Report (December 2025), the UK vehicle hire sector operates a fleet of around 453,955 cars and vans.

Hiring a car is often associated with convenience, a business trip, a family holiday, a house move or as a replacement while your own vehicle is off the road. Yet stepping into a car that is not your own can introduce subtle changes that alter how driving feels compared with what you are used to daily.

The controls may be positioned differently from what is second nature in your own car. There may be unfamiliar safety features, the clutch may bite higher or lower than expected, and the vehicle’s size and responsiveness can vary from what you are accustomed to driving.

When this unfamiliarity is combined with navigating new roads, it can influence reaction times and overall driver confidence. The vehicle itself is not inherently more dangerous, but the circumstances in which it is being driven, particularly the driver’s level of familiarity with it, can shape the level of risk and may increase the likelihood of a hire car crash in some situations.

What does the research say?

This thinking is further reinforced by Official UK road safety data, which shows that in reported fatal collisions where contributing factors were recorded:

• Distraction or impairment was involved in around 34% of cases
• Behaviour or inexperience was recorded in over 52% of cases

These factors, which can include lapses in attention, are particularly relevant for hire car drivers adjusting to unfamiliar vehicles or roads and can increase the likelihood of a hire car crash and, in some cases, serious injury.

Yet, when it comes to specific collision data of hire car vs. owned vehicles, official UK road casualties statistics, do not separate hire vehicles from privately owned cars, so precise national data on hire car crashes is therefore not available.  What is clear, however, is that road collisions continue to affect thousands of people across the UK each year.

According to UK road safety statistics, in 2024:

• 1,671 people were killed on UK roads
• 28,804 people sustained serious injuries in road collisions
• Car occupants accounted for the majority of casualties

There is some UK based evidence that highlights higher-risk contexts for hire vehicles. With an analysis of road collision data showing that that collision risk around major UK airports, a key hub for car hire, can be nearly twice the national average.

Further, international research comparing hire and non-hire car crash data found that hire vehicles were involved in collisions at a higher rate relative to their share of the fleet. The studies suggest that a contributing factor to this increased risk may be the drivers lack of familiarity with the vehicle’s handling, performance, and the driving environment, rather than risk-taking behaviours such as aggression or inattention.

As Sarah Ouko, Serious Injury Solicitor at Fletchers Solicitors, explains:
“While hire cars are no more dangerous mechanically than any other car, drivers are often less familiar with the vehicle and its environment, which could increase the risk, so drivers should recognise the additional awareness required when driving something unfamiliar.”

Why hire car drivers may be more susceptible

1. Reduced sense of responsibility
Driving a vehicle that isn’t your own may subtly affect a driver’s sense of familiarity or responsibility, particularly if they are less concerned about long-term maintenance or repair costs.

2. “Holiday mode” and psychology
Leisure or business travel can lean us towards distraction and a more relaxed attitude toward speed limits, or fatigue from long journeys.

3. Unfamiliar roads and vehicles
Even minor differences in braking, mirror size or driver-assistance technology can delay our reactions. For example, if you are used to driving a car with blind-spot assistance, speed notifications or Automated Emergency Braking and your hire car comes without these features, you may need time to adjust your driving style and awareness.

When drivers rely on technology that is suddenly absent, their responses may be delayed. This lack of familiarity, particularly when combined with navigating unfamiliar roads, can increase the risk of a collision.

“Collisions aren’t inevitable. Familiarise yourself with the car and its features before you set off on a long drive. Whether driving a hire car or your own vehicle, mindful, responsible driving protects everyone on the road.”
Chloe Hughes, Fletcher’s Solicitors

How to reduce risk and drive safely in a hire car

Before driving away in a hire car, it would be good practice to:

• Vehicle knowledge: Make sure you understand safety tech like lane assist, ABS, or adaptive cruise control. Familiarise yourself with controls before you set off on any journeys and even try a short test drive before any longer journeys to accustom yourself with the vehicle.

• Document the car: Check for pre-existing damage and record it, this protects you in hire car damage liability disputes.
• Drive attentively: Treat every hire car journey as you would your own vehicle, with full attention and care. Unfamiliarity, ingrained habits from your usual car, and even different driving norms when travelling abroad can affect collision risk.

The importance of vigilance on motorways is underscored by figures obtained by Sky News, which revealed that in the year to November 2024 there were 988 incidents involving “oncoming vehicles” reported on England’s motorways, an increase on the previous year and averaging around 19 incidents per week.

“These figures obtained by Sky News are a reminder that a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to a very dangerous, and potentially fatal situation. Every driver, whether in their own vehicle or a hire car, has a responsibility the moment they get behind the wheel.”
Sarah Ouko, Fletcher’s Solicitors

Legal considerations: Liability in hire car crashes

Before you drive off with your hire car, understanding liability can be really important for knowing your rights if you were in a crash.

We found research from an insurance provider which reveals that more than six in ten drivers do not purchase excess protection, meaning they risk paying large sums if the hire car is damaged or stolen. When collisions occur, particularly those involving injury, the legal position surrounding liability and insurance can become more complex due to the involvement of hire agreements, multiple insurance policies, and potential personal injury claims.

Key considerations for hire car users include:

• Fault is assessed as in any other road traffic collision: A hire car driver can be held fully or partially responsible depending on the circumstances, just as they would be in their own vehicle.
• Hire car agreements may affect responsibility: Hire agreements often set out driver eligibility, insurance excess levels and the driver’s obligations if a crash occurs. Failing to follow these terms can complicate liability and insurance claims.
• Hire car damage liability: If you are responsible for damaging the hire vehicle, you may be liable for repair costs depending on the agreement and insurance cover in place. Understanding what to do if you crash a hire car can help reduce both financial and legal complications.
• Injury claims can still arise: If a road traffic collision results in injury, those harmed may still pursue compensation through the appropriate insurance channels, regardless of whether the vehicle involved is privately owned or hired.

As Chloe Hughes of Fletchers Solicitors explains
“Every driver must remember that liability does not change simply because the vehicle is hired. A momentary lapse on the road can have serious consequences for everyone involved. If a road traffic collision occurs, particularly one involving injury, drivers should ensure the incident is properly documented and seek appropriate legal guidance.”

What to do if you crash a hire car

If you are involved in a road traffic collision while driving a hire car, the immediate steps are largely the same as any other road crash:

Understanding these steps can help protect both your safety and your legal position following a hire car collision.

• Stay calm, ensure everyone is safe and call emergency services if necessary
• Exchange details with other drivers involved, even witnesses if available
• Document the scene with photographs and notes where possible
• Inform the hire company as soon as practicable
• Seek medical attention if any injuries occur

Remember, feeling worried or overwhelmed after a crash is completely normal. Our team helps many people who have been injured in road traffic collisions, guiding them through the legal process and supporting them with their rehabilitation.

Safer Driving Starts with Awareness

At Fletchers Solicitors, we believe safer roads begin with awareness and responsible driving.

Whether you are behind the wheel of your own vehicle or a hire car, understanding the risks and responsibilities involved can help reduce preventable collisions and injuries.

If a road traffic crash does occur, particularly one involving serious injury, knowing where to turn for advice and advocacy can make an important difference during what is often a difficult and uncertain time.

Our team is here to help you understand your rights and guide you through the steps that may follow after a serious road traffic collision.

Talk to us today