A rental car is supposed to make your trip easier. In Miami, that could mean getting from the airport to your hotel, meeting friends in Brickell, or driving out to the beach. One careless driver can change that in seconds.
If you were injured in a rental car accident in Miami or anywhere in South Florida, you are suddenly dealing with more than pain. You might be far from home, worried about medical bills, confused by rental contracts, and unsure which insurance company should cover the costs. You might already be back in your home state or another country, trying to handle a Florida claim from a distance.
Stabinski Law steps into that problem.
We are a Miami personal injury firm that handles rental car accident cases for both Florida residents and visitors. We bring the resources of a powerhouse firm while keeping a boutique, personal feel. Your case is not just a file. You are a client and have direct contact with the lawyer handling your case.
If you were hurt in a rental car or hit by a driver in a rental car, you can speak with a Miami rental car accident lawyer at our firm in a free consultation.
Who Pays After a Rental Car Crash in Florida?
Rental car crashes in Florida raise immediate questions:
- Whose insurance pays first?
- What happens if you were driving the rental car?
- What happens if someone hits you in a rental?
Several layers of insurance can apply, and they do not always fit together cleanly. That is one reason an experienced Florida rental car accident lawyer can make a real difference.
The Layers of Insurance That Can Apply
After a rental car accident, these sources of coverage often come into play:
- Your own auto insurance policy, if you carry one
- Florida personal injury protection (PIP), when it applies
- The rental company’s liability policy
- Any extra coverage you bought at the counter
- Credit card coverage is connected to the rental
Each policy has limits, exclusions, and fine print. One insurer might point at another and say, “They should pay first.” As your car rental accident lawyer, our job is to determine who is responsible and to push for full compensation under every available policy.
When the Other Driver Is at Fault
If another driver caused the crash, that driver’s liability coverage is usually a key source of payment for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Other losses tied to the crash
At the same time, Florida’s PIP rules can affect how medical care is paid and what records matter for your case. This applies to Florida residents and visitors who were hurt while using a rental car.
When You Were Driving the Rental Car
Many renters think the contract they signed at the counter fully protects them. In reality, the rental agreement often focuses on property damage to the vehicle and liability for damage you cause to others. Personal injury coverage for you and your passengers is usually a separate topic.
A Florida rental car accident attorney can review your rental contract, your auto policy, and any add-on coverage to find out what should apply and how much protection you actually have.
When A Driver Hits You in a Rental Car
If you were in your own car, in a rideshare, as a pedestrian, or on a bike, and a driver hit you in a rental, the crash still involves multiple insurers:
- The driver’s personal policy
- The rental company’s policy
- Any extra coverage bought at the counter
We often see companies pointing at each other while injured people wait. As your Florida rental car accident lawyer, our role is to break that stalemate, sort out coverage, and move the claim forward.
Does Rental Car Insurance Cover Personal Injury?
One of the most common questions we hear is: Does rental car insurance cover personal injury, or just the car?
Sometimes it does, sometimes it does not. The details matter.
What Basic Rental Insurance Usually Covers
Rental agreements usually include or offer:
- Liability coverage: Protection if you cause an accident and someone else is hurt
- Collision or loss damage waivers: Coverage for damage to the rental vehicle
- Personal accident coverage: Limited benefits for injuries to you and your passengers
The labels and limits vary by company. Some products provide only modest medical benefits. Others focus almost entirely on damage to the car itself. Reading your contract closely and comparing it to your own auto policy is a smart step, and a rental car accident attorney can handle that review for you.
What Credit Cards Actually Cover
Many credit cards advertise rental car coverage. In most policies, that coverage focuses on physical damage to the rental vehicle, not your medical bills.
Card benefits often require that:
- You paid for the rental with that card
- You followed specific reporting steps after a crash
- You met the conditions listed in the card’s benefits guide
Personal injury claims usually rest on separate insurance, not your card benefits. A car rental accident lawyer can still help you sort through each policy and protect your rights.
When Your Own Policy Follows You Into Florida
If you live outside Florida and carry auto insurance at home, that policy often travels with you. It might provide PIP or medical payments coverage, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or other benefits that apply even while you use a rental car.
Visitors suddenly find themselves dealing with:
- Florida law
- An out-of-state policy
- One or more Florida insurers
- A rental company
A Florida rental car accident lawyer who handles these cases regularly can step in, sort out which policy should respond, and coordinate the claim while you focus on getting better.
Florida Rules That Affect Rental Car Injury Claims
Florida law has several rules that apply in rental car cases.
No-Fault (PIP) and How It Works for Visitors
Florida is a no-fault state for many crash-related medical bills. PIP coverage can apply to:
- Florida residents with PIP policies
- Certain visitors whose own policies extend similar benefits
These rules can feel confusing, especially if you live in a state with different insurance requirements. Early medical care and clear documentation matter under PIP rules, so it is smart to speak with a Florida rental car accident attorney soon after a crash.
The Graves Amendment
People often assume the rental car company is always responsible when its vehicle is involved in an accident. Federal law narrows that assumption.
Rental car companies are generally protected from lawsuits based purely on ownership of the vehicle. There are exceptions, including:
- Negligent maintenance
- Sending a dangerous or defective vehicle onto the road
- Other forms of direct negligence
A Florida rental car accident lawyer can investigate whether one of these exceptions applies in your case and pursue the rental company when the facts support that step.
Florida’s Current Deadlines
Florida now has a shorter deadline for most personal injury cases: two years from the date of the crash. Waiting too long can put your claim at risk. This is especially serious for tourists who return home after a car accident on vacation and then try to “see how it goes” for a while.
If you were involved in a car accident while on vacation in Miami, reach out as soon as you can. A brief call can help you understand your options and protect your rights before time runs out.
What to Do After a Rental Car Accident in Miami
When you are shaken up, clear steps can help protect your health and your claim.
Step-by-Step Actions That Protect Your Case
Right after a crash:
1. Check for injuries and call 911.
2. Ask for law enforcement to come to the scene so there is an official report.
3. Take photos of both vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, street signs, and anything else that shows how the crash happened.
4. Exchange information with the other driver, including license, plate number, insurance details, and contact details.
5. Look for witnesses and gather their contact information.
6. Report the crash to the rental company, but keep your comments factual and brief.
7. See a doctor right away, even if you plan to fly home soon. Some injuries show up over the next few days.
8. Speak with a Miami rental car accident attorney before giving detailed recorded statements to insurers.
These steps help preserve evidence and protect your claim against efforts to downplay what happened.
Special Notes for Out-of-State Visitors
If you were hurt on a trip and now face an out-of-town car accident claim:
- Keep copies of your travel records: Flight information, hotel bookings, and any trip changes caused by the crash
- Follow up with a doctor at home and tell them about the Miami collision
- Save every bill, receipt, and insurance letter
You can hire a lawyer for an out-of-town car accident right here in Miami. You do not need to fly back to start your case. Our team routinely represents visitors who have already returned home and still need a Florida rental car accident lawyer to handle things here.
Out-of-Town Visitors: How a Miami Lawyer Handles Your Case Once You Return Home
One of the biggest worries after a car accident on vacation is, “How will I deal with a case in another state?”
We build our services around that concern.
Remote Case Management
You can sign documents electronically, meet with your lawyer by phone or video, and stay updated wherever you are. We structure our communication so you do not have to chase down information or wonder what is happening with your case.
An attorney, not just staff, will speak with you, answer your questions, and explain key decisions.
Coordinating With Your Doctors Back Home
Healing does not stop when your trip ends. Injuries often unfold over weeks or months. We:
- Gather medical records from both Florida providers and doctors in your home state or country
- Work with you to track ongoing treatment and costs
- Present a complete picture of your injuries and recovery in negotiations
This approach is especially helpful for neck and back injuries, concussions, and other conditions that are sometimes underestimated in the first few days.
Handling Property Damage and Rental Company Issues
Beyond physical injuries, rental car accidents create practical headaches:
- Disputes over damage charges
- Questions about fuel, towing, or storage fees
- Issues with replacement rentals or transportation while you are stranded
Our firm helps you understand your rights under the rental agreement and pushes back when charges are unfair or not supported by the facts. A rental car accident attorney can often quickly clear up misunderstandings, reducing stress during an already difficult time.
Common Injuries and Losses in Rental Car Accidents
Rental car crashes involve the same kinds of impact as other vehicle collisions, but the travel context often adds extra stress and costs.
Physical Injuries
Common car crash injuries include:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Concussions and other head trauma
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises from airbags and glass
Visitors sometimes try to push through pain so they do not “ruin” the trip. That decision can leave gaps in medical records. We walk clients through documenting their pain and symptoms honestly and carefully so their medical story is clear.
Financial Losses
After a rental car crash, losses can include:
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Follow-up care and physical therapy
- Missed work and lost income
- Trip interruption costs: unused hotel nights, flight changes, additional child care at home
- Transportation costs while your car or rental is out of service
A Florida rental car accident lawyer can help calculate not only what you already lost but also likely future costs tied to the crash.
Long-Term Effects
Some injuries heal with time. Others linger. Long-term pain, reduced mobility, and emotional distress can affect your work, family life, and daily activities. These losses deserve careful attention in any settlement or in court. An experienced rental car accident attorney will include them in your claim rather than treating your case as a simple property damage problem.
How Stabinski Law Builds a Strong Rental Car Accident Case
Rental car cases require close attention to detail and steady communication with clients. That is where our approach comes in.
Direct Attorney Access
At Stabinski Law, clients have real access to their lawyer. A managing partner reviews new inquiries. You are not pushed off to a call center or lost in layers of staff. When you have questions, you can speak with the Miami rental car accident lawyer working on your case and get clear answers.
Investigating Insurance Layers
Our office:
- Reviews rental agreements and credit card benefits
- Obtains police reports and, where possible, video footage from the scene
- Talks with witnesses and secures statements
- Requests maintenance and inspection records if there is a concern about vehicle safety
We build the case step by step so that when it is time to demand compensation, your story is clear and well supported.
Working With Visitors and Locals
We represent:
- Miami residents using rental cars for local errands or trips
- Florida residents involved in crashes with drivers in rentals
- Visitors from other states or countries hurt in rental cars or hit by rental vehicles
Each group faces different challenges. We adjust our approach to your situation, schedule, and location. If you need to hire a lawyer for an out-of-town car accident, we walk you through the process in plain language and stay close to you from start to finish.
Preparing for Negotiation or Litigation
From the beginning, we treat the case as if it might end up before a judge or jury. That does not mean every case goes to trial, but it does mean we prepare carefully and demand fair treatment from insurers and rental car companies.
Why Work With Stabinski Law
You have many options when you search for a rental car accident lawyer in Miami. Stabinski Law offers a rare mix: decades of serious injury work combined with direct, personal attention.
A Firm That Treats Clients Like Individuals
We often say: we do not have “cases.” We have clients. That idea guides how we handle phone calls, how quickly we respond, and how we make decisions with you, not for you.
Decades of Miami Injury Experience
Our firm has represented injured people in South Florida for generations. We know the roads, the courts, and the way insurers and rental companies operate here. That experience shapes every rental car accident case we handle, whether it involves a resident or someone injured in a car accident on vacation.
Bilingual Support
Our attorneys and staff speak Spanish, and we serve many Hispanic clients from Miami and beyond. Language and cultural comfort matter, especially when someone is hurt far from home and trying to figure out how to move forward.
No Fees Unless We Recover
We handle rental car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you. That structure lets you focus on healing instead of worrying about hourly bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Hire a Miami Lawyer If I Have Already Flown Home?
Yes. You can hire a lawyer for an out-of-town car accident even after you return home. We handle cases remotely for visitors and keep you updated by phone, email, or video.
Do I Need a Lawyer in My Home State or in Florida?
If the crash occurred in Florida, key parts of the case are usually governed by Florida law. A Florida rental car accident lawyer is often best positioned to handle that claim and deal with local insurers, rental car companies, and courts.
Will the Rental Company Make Me Pay for the Car Even If I Was Not at Fault?
Rental companies sometimes charge your card for damage and fees before the issue is fully resolved. We can review the contract and the facts of the crash and fight improper charges.
What If the At-Fault Driver Was Using a Rental Car?
We pursue both the driver’s personal insurance and any coverage linked to the rental. These claims often involve multiple policies, which is why legal guidance is helpful.
Does Credit Card Insurance Cover Personal Injury?
Most card benefits focus on damage to the rental vehicle. Injury claims usually rely on auto policies and other coverage. A car rental accident lawyer can sort these details out with you.
How Long Does a Rental Car Accident Case Take?
Timeframes differ based on injuries, treatment length, and insurer cooperation. We talk with you about likely timelines and update you as the case moves forward so you always know where things stand.
Talk to a Miami Rental Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a rental car accident in Miami or anywhere in South Florida, whether as a visitor or a local driver, you do not have to handle this alone.
Stabinski Law is ready to listen, answer your questions, and explain your options in clear language. You speak directly with an attorney. You get the strength of a powerhouse firm with the personal attention of a boutique practice.
Call us today for a free consultation with a Miami rental car accident lawyer, or send us a message through our online form. No fees unless we recover for you.
