If you’ve been injured in a rental car accident in Florida, whether you were driving the rental, hit by one, or involved in a multi-vehicle crash, you may be facing more questions than answers. Who’s liable? What insurance applies? Does the rental company pay for anything?
At Andrew Pickett Law, we help individuals injured in rental vehicle crashes navigate the confusing overlap of liability, rental agreements, and insurance coverage. Whether your car accident happened near the Melbourne Orlando International Airport, on I-95, or along US-192, we’re here to help. Contact a trusted Melbourne, FL rental car accident attorney today at 321-415-8053 for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Rental Car Accidents in Florida
Florida is a major hub for tourism and business travel. With so many drivers unfamiliar with local roads, it’s no surprise that rental car collisions are common, particularly in cities like Melbourne, Titusville, and throughout Brevard County.
Accidents involving rental vehicles often result from:
- Tourists unfamiliar with road layouts or traffic rules
- Drivers rushing to return rental cars
- Distracted or fatigued out-of-town drivers
- Mechanical issues from poorly maintained rental cars
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Language barriers or GPS distractions
No matter how the crash occurred, our firm will work to identify the responsible parties and secure fair compensation for your injuries.
Free Case Evaluation
Please describe what happened. We will review your case for free and work to secure the highest legal compensation possible.
5000+ Cases Reviewed
Sebastian Martinez
$200,000 Verdict
"Our family is flat out impressed with the Andrew Pickett Law firm technical mastery, they never wavered with kind direction as our recovery prolonged during the COVID-19, and they delivered the maximum settlement possible."
Who Is Liable in a Rental Car Accident in Florida?
Determining liability in a rental car crash can be complex. Responsibility may fall on:
- The driver of the rental car, if they caused the crash
- The rental company, in rare cases involving negligent vehicle maintenance
- Another driver, if you were in a rental and struck by a third party
- Multiple parties, in chain-reaction or multi-vehicle collisions
As your rental car accident lawyer, we will investigate the cause of the crash, review rental agreements, and assess which insurance policies apply, including the driver’s personal auto policy, rental coverage, and any supplemental plans.
Understanding Rental Car Insurance Coverage
In Florida, several types of insurance may be in play during a rental car accident:
- Personal Auto Insurance – If you rented the car using your own policy, it may extend coverage to the rental.
- Rental Car Company Insurance – You may have purchased Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) from the rental company.
- Credit Card Rental Coverage – Some credit cards offer rental car protection, but typically only for property damage.
- The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance – If someone else hit you, their policy should pay for your injuries and damages.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – If available, this can apply if the at-fault driver has little or no insurance.
At Andrew Pickett Law, we’ll sort through every applicable policy to make sure you are not stuck paying out of pocket for someone else’s mistake.
how the claim process works
Step 2
We take action
Our dedicated team gets to work investigating your claim.
Step 3
We fight for you
If we take on the case, our team fights to get you the maximum compensation legally possible.
Free Case Evaluation
Please describe what happened. We will review your case for free and work to secure the highest legal compensation possible.
5000+ Cases Reviewed
Beatrice Maxime
$1,000,000 Verdict
"I am so very grateful to have had this firm represent me. I was in a car accident a few years ago, but the car insurance company of the person who totaled my car would not replace my car, nor pay for my medical bills. We ended up going to court and because of Mr. Pickett, we won the case. Thank you so much for all you did for us!!!!"
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Rental Car Accident?
As with any personal injury case in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Ongoing medical treatment and therapy
- Lost wages and diminished earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma or mental anguish
- Property damage (including personal belongings inside the vehicle)
- Wrongful death damages (if applicable)
As a Melbourne, FL personal injury law firm, we build strong claims designed to reflect the full impact of your injuries, not just what the insurance company wants to offer.
Florida’s Modified Comparative Fault Rule
Florida now uses a modified comparative negligence system. If you’re found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you’re 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced proportionally.
That means if the rental company or another driver tries to shift blame, we’ll fight back with clear evidence, including traffic reports, witness statements, dashcam footage, and expert analysis.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of the crash. If your accident involved a government-owned rental vehicle or other public agency, additional notice requirements and shorter deadlines may apply.
Don’t wait. The sooner you contact a Melbourne, FL rental car accident attorney, the sooner we can preserve vital evidence and protect your claim.
Why Choose Andrew Pickett Law
As a Florida-based personal injury law firm with offices in Melbourne and Titusville, we’ve recovered over $38 million for injured clients statewide. We handle every case with aggressive representation and a personal approach.
Why clients trust Andrew Pickett Law:
- Former prosecutor with trial experience
- Detailed case preparation from day one
- Skilled at navigating complex insurance issues
- No upfront costs, we don’t get paid unless you do
- Known and trusted throughout Brevard County
Serving Rental Car Accident Victims Across Florida
Our firm proudly represents clients injured in rental car accidents throughout:
- Melbourne
- Palm Bay
- Cocoa
- Titusville
- Rockledge
- Satellite Beach
- Indialantic
- Cape Canaveral
- And other areas across Florida
Contact a Melbourne, FL Rental Car Accident Attorney Today
If your Florida trip was disrupted by a crash in a rental car, don’t navigate the aftermath alone. Let Andrew Pickett Law fight for the compensation you deserve, while you focus on recovering.
Melbourne Office: 927 E New Haven Avenue, Suite 201, Melbourne, FL 32901
Titusville Office: 605 S Palm Ave, Titusville, FL 32796
Call 321-415-8053 for a free consultation
Frequently Asked Questions About Rental Car Accidents in Florida
What should I do immediately after a rental car accident in Florida?
First, call 911 and report the crash. Then document the scene with photos, gather witness info, and notify both the rental car company and your insurance provider. Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine, and call a lawyer right away.
Can I sue the rental car company for my injuries?
Rental companies are generally not liable for the actions of drivers unless the vehicle was negligently maintained or rented to someone unfit to drive (e.g., without a license). We investigate every angle to determine if the rental company bears any responsibility.
Will my personal insurance cover a rental car accident?
If you have full coverage or specific rental coverage through your insurer, it may extend to your rental. However, policies vary, and credit card coverage often has major exclusions. Let us review the details and advise you accordingly.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
If the at-fault driver lacks insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply, even if you were driving a rental car. We’ll review your rental contract, personal policy, and any supplemental protections to identify all coverage options.
Meet Andrew Pickett
Dealing with the murky policies of insurance companies designed to confuse and prevent you from receiving compensation is our expertise.
15+ years experience as a personal injury attorney.
Specialized in battling insurance companies.
95% settlement rate for clients.
Handled 500+ personal injury cases.
Collected more than $38 million for clients.
500+ people have chosen
Andrew as their attorney.
