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Among famous attractions like Disneyworld and the many destination beaches that encompass the coast, Florida is a popular haven for vacationers during the summer months. Many of these visitors rely on rental cars for transportation once they arrive in Florida, but they may not always be aware of the legal responsibility involved in renting a car—both on the part of the vacationer and of the rental agency. Auto accident lawyers in Fort Myers urge prospective renters to review their own insurance policies, and discuss coverage plans for the state of Florida before heading off on their vacations.

Every year in Florida, more than five million drivers hit the road in rental cars, whether for vacation or business purposes. Drivers coming from out of state or out of the country are likely to be unfamiliar with Florida’s roads, and often with the type of vehicle they have rented for their trip. Data shows that the rental car business in Florida has been a multi-billion dollar industry for the past several years. The accountability for those vehicles rests on the state of Florida and its residents, according to the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA).

Passed by the United States Congress in 2005, the Act was intended to eliminate individual state laws regarding rental car companies and the responsibility they held for accidents caused by drivers renting their cars. According to this act, if the owner of a car rents or leases his car to another person, the owner cannot be legally held accountable for any damages to a person or property caused by the other driver during the time in which the car is leased out. 

But the Act also includes specific language stating that its provisions do not overrule an individual state’s laws of financial responsibility pertaining to car accidents. In Florida, this gives precedence to the financial responsibility laws that are outlined in Section 324.021(9)(b)(2). Under this statute, car rental agencies are responsible for $100,000 per person, and $300,000 per bodily injury occurrence. Rental agencies must also cover additional economic damages up to $500,000 if the renter is uninsured, or if his or her insurance limit is lower than that minimum.

Personal or property damage coverage is only one part of rental agency agreements, Fort Myers auto accident lawyerRandall Spivey notes. The terms of these agreements may differ from company to company, and across state lines. Age may also influence the terms of a rental car agreement. In Florida and across the country, travelers are permitted to rent a car at age 25. Drivers from age 18 to 24 may be charged a daily surcharge by rental agencies because the companies see an increase in liabilities and insurance costs when renting to younger drivers.

Fort Myers car accident lawyers encourage drivers using rental cars to drive carefully, especially if they are visiting from out of state. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a rented vehicle, contact the Fort Myers auto accident lawyers at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., for a free consultation today.