Turo Accident Attorney
Most people are aware that if they’ve been injured in a car accident, they can make a claim on the other driver’s insurance company. This applies whether the driver is the owner of the vehicle or not. However, client-to-client car companies, like Turo, have become more ubiquitous in South Florida, and a relatively new law has made it more difficult to pursue the maximum amount of damages allowed under the law.
If you’ve been in an accident with a Turo peer-to-peer rental car, the personal injury lawyers at Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A. would like to discuss your claim in a free consultation. While the state law seeks to limit the liability of Turo and other peer-to-peer rental companies, there are provisions in the law that may allow you to receive maximum compensation.
Do I Need My Own Insurance? Turo Says No
Turo’s main page has a Frequently Asked Questions section toward the bottom. One of the questions reads, “Do I need my own insurance?” Turo explains that outside of Maryland, you do not require your own insurance. It goes on to state that you will be allowed to choose between three types of coverage: Premier, Standard, or Minimum. According to Turo’s answer, “With each plan, you’re covered with third-party automobile liability insurance provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company — $750,000 for the Premier plan.”
Turo does mention that your existing personal insurance would “kick in” before the Turo coverage. In other words, if a renter has auto insurance, their policy will pay for the damage to the car they’re renting ahead of the Turo policy. However, their claim is that drivers are covered up to $750,000, even if their limits are much lower. While the company lists several exceptions, they do not mention the state of Florida as one of them.
Florida’s Peer-to-Peer Car-Sharing Law
In 2022, the state of Florida passed Florida Statute 628.7483, which is designed to protect peer-to-peer car-sharing program companies and vehicle owners from vicarious liability, meaning that only the vehicle operator can be held liable for accident injuries. Drivers who use peer-to-peer car services in the state of Florida must meet the following qualifications:
- The driver must possess a valid driver’s license
- $10,000 in property damage liability
- Bodily injury coverage for $10,000 per person and $20,000 per crash
- Personal injury protection of $10,000
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
It’s the responsibility of the peer-to-peer car-sharing program to ensure that the vehicle or driver has the proper coverage during the course of the rental period. This includes verifying that the insurance covers the vehicle or driver and does not exclude car-sharing programs. Additionally, the car-sharing program must ensure that the driver/renter’s driver’s license is valid.
Turo and other apps use third-party license verification sites to verify the validity of their renters’ licenses. More than one driver can drive a car rented by a Turo member as long as they are also approved on the app, have valid driver’s licenses, and meet the owners’ age requirements.
What Happens in the Event of a Turo Car Accident in Florida?
While Turo’s page implies that there is a $750,000 insurance policy covering vehicles registered through the Turo program while under a rental contract, they have been using the 2022 Florida law to avoid liability, referring accident victims to the responsible insurer. For minor claims, accident victims aren’t really affected by this policy. However, damages from injury accidents frequently exceed the $10,000/$20,000 coverage that many drivers opt for. If you’ve been injured in a peer-to-peer rental car accident, it’s to your benefit to speak to an experienced Turo accident lawyer. While the law may seem clear at first glance, there are strategies that a ride-share lawyer with peer-to-peer rental experience can employ to get you a full and fair settlement.
Possible Strategies for a Turo Car Accident Attorney
While Florida law does seek to mitigate the vicarious liability of both the car owner and the peer-to-peer sharing program, it also places the responsibility of verifying insurance and checking the validity of the license on the program.
There have been cases where unlicensed drivers, drivers with suspended licenses, uninsured drivers, and drivers who were not approved through the app have obtained a car through Turo, Kyte, or Getaround and caused an accident with injuries. While the peer-to-peer company may largely be off the hook for drivers who legitimately obtain cars through their app, they may still be liable for allowing an unauthorized driver who injures another party.
What to Do If You’re in a Turo Car Accident
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a peer-to-peer rented car, consider taking the following steps:
- Get to a Place of Safety – You should always ensure your safety and the safety of others, even if you have to move the vehicles before the police arrive.
- Call 911 – Even if you feel fine at the time of the accident, you will require an accident report. Florida law requires a crash report for any damage in excess of $500.
- Get Witness Information – In all accidents, it’s essential to get the contact information for any third parties who may have witnessed the crash.
- Note Which Peer-to-Peer Rental App The Other Driver is Using – Find out the name of the app that the other driver used to obtain the car (i.e. Turo, Getaround, etc.) Note any statements the driver makes, particularly if they admit they aren’t an authorized driver of the vehicle.
- Take Pictures of the Scene – From a position of safety, document everything with your phone camera, including property damage, visible injuries, debris on the roadway, and geographic indicators. Try to include the license plate of the rented vehicle.
- Obtain a Copy of the Agreement – If the other driver acknowledges that they used an app to rent their vehicle, ask them to send you a copy via text or email.
- Get Medical Attention – As with any accident, you should get medical attention immediately. Allow the EMTs to examine you. If necessary, go to the emergency room, but in any event, follow up with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Turo Accidents
The following questions are commonly asked by accident victims. If you have specific questions about a Turo accident or Turo lawsuit, contact Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A. for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Do You Handle Turo Car Accidents on a Contingency Basis?
At Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A., our attorneys handle all personal injury cases on a contingency basis. That means that you don’t have to pay out of pocket for our professional legal advice.
What If I’m Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Under Florida’s comparative negligence law, you can receive compensation for your damages up to the limit of your liability. For example, if you were 20% responsible for the accident and your total damages are valued at $300,000, you can still receive $240,000 — 80% of your total damages.
Why Shouldn’t I Accept a Settlement from an Insurer Before Talking to an Attorney?
If you contacted your insurance company about the accident, they may have already offered you a settlement. However, unless you’ve had an accident lawyer review the claim, you have no idea whether or not it’s a comprehensive settlement — in most cases, it isn’t. If you accept the settlement, you will also have to sign a liability waiver that will prevent you from making further claims or filing a lawsuit. Instead, contact LJW Legal for a free case evaluation.
Pompano Beach, FL Turo Accident Attorneys
Because of Florida law, Turo cases can be difficult, but they are not insurmountable. A personal injury lawyer can help you get full and fair compensation for your claim. Contact Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A. for a free consultation.
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