What to Know About Turo Accidents — South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog

Ride-sharing services such as Turo can be convenient for people who live in cities with limited and costly parking spaces or visiting tourists who don’t want to spend a fortune on a rental car they’ll hardly use. Turo allows people to rent a privately owned vehicle for a shorter period than is possible through more conventional car rental agencies.

After an accident, Turo rental drivers and passengers might be at a loss for what to do. Although data on Turo-specific accidents is still limited, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports over 6 million police-reported car crashes in the United States annually. These accidents can cause severe injuries and significant property damage.

Because these services are a relatively new concept, the laws governing liability in case of an accident are continuously evolving. An experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can explain the involved parties’ rights in these cases. Read on to understand essential information about Turo accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

What Is Turo?

Turo is a car rental agency that differs from other car rental services. The agency rents out someone’s personal automobile instead of using the company’s vehicles. Users, also known as hosts, post information about their vehicles and permit other users, known as renters, or customers, to utilize the cars for a fee and a specified period.

This rental car service is easy to use and convenient. It allows renters to hire various car models, including exotic, vintage, and luxury cars. Turo allows adults over 18 years to rent a car, while most rental companies only rent vehicles to people over 25.

The price of renting a car through Turo is typically lower than other large, popular car rental agencies. However, the potential of a car accident is something both renters and hosts should keep in mind.

Before and after each rental, both parties must conduct a comprehensive vehicle inspection and keep detailed records. They should note any missing or broken parts in the vehicle’s interior and exterior.

Insurance Options

Turo provides insurance to protect hosts and renters. Hosts can choose to have their business insurance in place of the $1 million liability coverage provided if a renter suffers injuries while using the vehicles. The same insurance coverage options are also accessible to renters, and renters can also have medical expenses coverage through Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

People who sustain injuries from a car accident should seek legal advice from a car accident attorney. If a host believes Turo did not adequately review the renter, they can file a lawsuit against the company. Examples of negligence from the car rental service include allowing a person to rent a car with a history of reckless driving or a worrisome background check.

Steps to Take if Involved in a Turo Car Accident

Here are some crucial actions to take following a car accident:

Even if you think your injuries are minor, it’s best to seek immediate medical attention
Report the incident to the police and ask for a copy of the police report
Document crucial details from the accident scene by taking photos of the car damage and the injuries sustained
Inform Turo about the incident so that they can contact the host and begin filing an insurance claim
Record the other driver’s insurance and contact information
Write down the contact information of witnesses that were present
Call an experienced attorney

Based on the severity of the injuries, Turo accident victims may be eligible to seek financial compensation such as property damage, medical bills, and loss of past and future wages.

Most Common Turo Car Accidents

When renting a car through Turo, most people take additional precautions because they are driving someone’s vehicle and not one of the many owned by an organization. However, even the most cautious drivers can be involved in an accident. The following are some of the most common accidents involving Turo vehicles.

Head-on collisions: Front-impact crashes may cause severe and life-altering injuries or death.

Sideswipe collisions: When a driver fails to check their blind area before changing lanes or merging onto a highway, serious accidents can occur. As long as both drivers can keep their vehicles under control, the damage from a sideswipe collision is usually minimal. However, the initial sideswipe accident often sets off a chain reaction in which the hit vehicle swerves into oncoming traffic, increasing the likelihood of a collision that involves multiple vehicles.

Pileups or multi-vehicle crashes: These are common on metropolitan highways and freeways and occur when three or more vehicles collide.

Fault in a Florida Auto Accident

Florida is a no-fault state, so claimants for accident damages can rely on their personal injury protection insurance policies. This means that drivers rarely have to deal with the insurance company of the at-fault vehicle and instead collect their compensation straight from their own policies.

Although assigning fault is irrelevant in some Florida car accident cases, it may apply in others depending on case specifics. A seasoned car accident lawyer will help determine which factors matter and how to negotiate a fair settlement.

The Comparative Negligence Principle

Local state law also incorporates a provision known as comparative negligence, which experts may use to determine how much fault lies with each party.

Examples of driver negligence include when one driver disregards a stop sign and causes an accident with another driver who has the right of way. Officials use this principle to assign blame or fault depending on the circumstances that caused the accidents.

The no-fault rules in Florida protect innocent victims from the burden of trying to prove the errors of other drivers. Accident victims covered by PIP can seek fair compensation without too much hassle.

Statute of Limitations

Floridians who suffer negligence-related injuries have two years to file a civil lawsuit from the date of the accident. However, the two-year timeline has some exceptions. Accident injury victims should contact a personal injury attorney to determine if pursuing financial compensation is worthwhile.

The statute of limitations for cases involving auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents in Florida is two years from the date of the accident. Visiting an attorney as quickly as possible is advisable because waiting can make it more challenging to determine fault or locate witnesses.

Wrongful death claimants in Florida have just two years to initiate a case. This deadline applies to all fatal auto accidents involving motorcycles, trucks, and cars.

Protect Your Legal Rights

People who suffer injuries from a Turo accident may require the assistance of an experienced personal injury law firm. At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, our attorneys understand Florida laws and know how to help you seek the financial damages to compensate for your incurred damages.

Contact our law firm today to speak with an experienced attorney who can answer all of your legal questions. Our team of caring and dedicated injury lawyers will help you build a solid case, boosting the chances of a successful claim. Our lawyers negotiate with insurance adjusters on clients’ behalf to try to reach a fair settlement.