What Happens When a Turo Driver Causes An Accident?

Maison Law represents injured Turo accident victims in California. When a Turo driver causes an accident, they can be held liable for the damages done to your life and property. Unfortunately, the driver’s insurance or the driver themselves may attempt to blame you for the accident and reduce what you are owed.

Fortunately, at Maison Law, we represent victims injured in car accidents with Turo drivers and will protect you from liability, as well as ensure you are compensated. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.

How Does Car Insurance Work with Turo & Rental Car Accidents?

It should provide you with some peace of mind that no one is allowed to drive without insurance, according to California Law. This law applies to Turo & rental car drivers, so there will be some form of coverage if you find yourself in an accident with either of these types of drivers.

Turo car renters in California have the option to choose from three tiers of coverage through Turo’s protection plan, with the top plan covering up to $750k. If a Turo driver already carries at least the California state-mandated minimum coverage, and their policy extends to Turo rental vehicles, then they can decline Turo’s protection plan. It’s important to note that Turo’s protection plans do not cover interior or mechanical damage. So, drivers responsible for accidents will have to pay out-of-pocket costs for these specific damages.

So, as you can see, there are several scenarios at play if you’re involved in a Turo car accident. But your best course of action is always to consult with an experienced Car Accident Lawyer at Maison Law when dealing with car insurance companies and careless drivers in California.

Proving Fault in a Turo Car Accident

When dealing with car accidents involving Turo drivers, it is not always easy to prove fault. In some instances, there are multiple partiesthat could be involved, as well as comparative negligence. Comparative negligence is when blame is divided amongst multiple “at-fault” parties, as stated within California’s Comparative Negligence Law:

“Under the pure comparative negligence rule, the state allows the plaintiff to claim damages for the 1% they are not at fault even when they are 99% at fault.”

Partial fault may even extend to yourself, depending on the details of the accident. For that reason, it is always recommended to consult with one of our experienced Car Accident Attorneys if you’re injured in a car accident with a Turo driver. If you can prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you will most likely have a case. The following are four elements of evidence necessary to prove fault in a car accident:

1. Had an obligation to act with reasonable care: If a person is driving on the road, they are expected to follow traffic laws, as well as be aware of other drivers on the road.
2. Breached their “duty of care:” The injured party (plaintiff) must demonstrate they were owed a duty of care by the person at fault (defendant). For example, in a car accident, the duty of care would have been ignored if a driver broke a traffic law and was driving dangerously before the collision.
3. Acted careless or reckless: If the driver failed to follow the law or safety protocols and caused another’s injuries, the plaintiff must prove the other’s careless or reckless actions resulted in harm to another.
4. Damages: The plaintiff must be able to prove they suffered damages such as medical bills, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, or mental trauma.

Proving Your Turo Driver Car Accident Claim: Negligence Per Se

If you can establish that a Turo driver’s careless actions caused your accident, you may be able to establish “Negligence Per Se” and recover damages. Negligence Per Se means the driver broke the law, which directly caused your injuries. Illegal U-turns, distracted driving, speeding, or running a red light typically come with citations, which will make proving “Negligence Per Se” fairly easy in court if your lawsuit goes to trial. Proving Negligence Per Se is much easier than proving negligence.

Proving negligence usually involves an investigation to obtain video footage or witness statements. Sometimes, there is no available evidence, and your case becomes one person’s word over another’s.

How Police Assign Fault for an Accident in California

When a police officer is called to an accident, they will attempt to capture as much information as they can about the accident. At first glance, they’ll look to see what happened leading up to it, how it started, and who was likely the at-fault party. While determining fault at the scene of the accident, police officers will look at the following:

• Evidence at the scene:
  • Tire marks
  • Road damage
  • Vehicle damage
• Eyewitness statements
• Appearance and behavior of both drivers
• Whether a citation has been issued to either driver in the past (speeding, tailgating, DUI, or other concerning violations)
• Any other available evidence such as street cameras, dash cams, or photos

After an investigation, police will issue citations for any violations committed by either driver. Citations can be harmful to both drivers in an accident case. However, guilt of a traffic violation is only settled after a ruling, conviction, or the payment of the fine without pleading “nolo contendre.” So, if you are given a citation, but feel it was unwarranted, you do not have to admit fault. Contact an accident attorney to help you build your case and protect your rights.

Am I Legally Required to Report an Accident to the Police?

When it comes to reporting an accident to the police, several regulations govern when a driver must report an accident in the state of California. They can get confusing if you read them from start to finish, so here is a brief summary for your convenience. Drivers must report an accident in Glendale if:

• Anyone is injured, even minor scrapes and bruises count
• Anyone is killed in the accident
• Property damage reaches or exceeds $1,000, which includes damage to personal property as well, not just the vehicle
• Any drivers involved were operating a motor vehicle without a license
• Any drivers involved were intoxicated at the time of the accident

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being in an accident in Glendale, it is recommended to always report it to the police. Failing to report when required can result in fines, loss of driving privileges, and even criminal charges. By law, a citizen of California has 10 days to report their accident to the police, as well as the DMV, starting from the day the accident occurred.

Turo Car Accident Injury Settlements

Turo car accident injuries are usually devastating, resulting in long-term medical care or permanent disability for some victims. However, some accidents may be minor and result in far less serious injuries. It is important to remember that the final settlement amount will largely be based on the severity of your injury.

Average injury settlements are as follows:

• Low settlements: Low settlements usually consist of minor accidents with little to no injuries. These could include back sprains and strains. Medical bills and property damage costs are usually low in minor accidents, so the settlement amount will reflect the cost of damages. These tend to fall around $5,000 to $10,000.
• Moderate settlements: Moderate settlements apply to accidents with moderate injuries such as broken bones or soft tissue damage. These injuries will require some medical treatment, as well as some missed work. The recovery period can be somewhat long, but victims typically make a full recovery. These tend to fall anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000.
• High settlements: High settlements involve severe injuries, resulting in long-term medical treatment or permanent disability. These cases usually receive substantial compensation due to the extent of medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as the extent of negligence which caused the accident. These tend to fall anywhere from $100,000 to millions of dollars.

Contact Maison Law | Turo Car Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Turo car accident in California, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden of medical bills and other losses. At Maison Law, we are committed to helping you rebuild your life by getting you compensation for all of your current and future damages.

There are no hidden fees for our services, and you will only be charged if we win your case. Get the legal help you need by contacting us for a free consultation and case evaluation.