Illinois Turo Accident Lawyers

5-Star Rated Attorneys for People Injured in Crashes With Turo Rental Cars

Peer-to-peer car-sharing platforms such as Turo have rapidly expanded the vehicle rental market by allowing private car owners to rent their cars directly to other drivers. Turo’s model offers flexibility and potential cost savings, but it also introduces unique legal, financial, and safety considerations, especially when accidents occur. Car accidents involving Turo vehicles raise complex issues regarding liability, insurance coverage, financial responsibility, and personal injury recovery.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our top-rated Illinois car accident attorneys bring decades of focused personal injury experience to cases involving complex and evolving issues like accidents with Turo and other peer-to-peer rental vehicles. Our firm has built its reputation on aggressive advocacy, meticulous preparation, and a deep understanding of how insurance companies shift responsibility in unconventional accident claims. When clients come to us after a serious crash, they are not treated as case numbers, they receive direct access to seasoned trial lawyers who know how to identify every available source of insurance coverage, hold negligent drivers and companies accountable, and pursue maximum compensation through settlement or trial.

What Is Turo?

Turo is an online peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace where vehicle owners (“hosts”) list their vehicles, and renters (“guests”) book them for short-term use. Unlike traditional rental companies, Turo does not own the vehicles; it facilitates transactions between individual car owners and drivers through its platform.

During a Turo trip, the guest typically selects a protection plan that dictates insurance coverage limits and financial responsibility for accidents. Host protection plans also exist to address third-party liability and reimbursement for physical damage. However, because Turo’s insurance is not structured like a traditional auto insurance policy, coverage can vary substantially depending on the protection plan selected, the renter’s personal insurance, and state regulatory requirements.

The Prevalence of Traffic Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are a significant public safety issue in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were an estimated 5,930,496 police-reported traffic crashes in 2022, resulting in over 42,500 fatalities and approximately 2.38 million injuries. These figures represent the scale of risk that all drivers face on U.S. roads, regardless of vehicle ownership or rental status.

While specific nationwide data on Turo vehicle accidents are not centrally published, peer-to-peer car rentals contribute to broader trends in rental-related crashes. The NHTSA has noted a 10 percent increase in vehicle crashes involving temporary rentals between 2020 and 2022, suggesting that shared or rented vehicles, including Turo listings, are part of a growing segment of traffic incidents.

Common Causes of Turo Vehicle Accidents

Accidents involving Turo vehicles typically result from many of the same risk factors that cause crashes with other vehicles. Some prevalent causes include:

• Distracted driving, such as texting or adjusting navigation.
• Speeding or reckless driving, increasing crash severity.
• Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs.
• Inexperience with an unfamiliar vehicle, which may be rented on Turo.
• Poor vehicle maintenance, if the host failed to address safety issues.
• Hazardous road conditions or weather factors.

Because renters may not be familiar with the specific handling, blind spots, or braking characteristics of the vehicle they rent, some studies on rental vehicles suggest these factors can increase crash risk compared with drivers behind the wheel of their own car.

Insurance Coverage and Liability in Turo Accidents

One of the most complex aspects of Turo accidents involves insurance coverage and liability determination. Traditional rental companies typically provide standardized insurance products with clear limits and procedures. Turo’s structure, by contrast, involves several potential layers of coverage:

Turo’s Insurance

Turo offers liability insurance coverage that can reach up to $1,000,000 for both hosts and renters, depending on the protection plan selected. This coverage can apply to bodily injury and property damage claims if the car is at fault for an accident. However, hosts may decline Turo’s coverage and instead use their own commercial policy. Renters can also choose between tiers of coverage, such as basic, standard, and premium, with varying deductibles and limits. Because of the varying levels of insurance coverage, it’s important to hire an experienced Illinois car accident lawyer to investigate insurance coverage for you after an accident.

Personal Auto Insurance

Many personal auto insurance policies include provisions covering rental cars, but some private insurance policies exclude coverage for vehicles rented through peer-to-peer platforms like Turo. In those cases, the Turo protection plan may serve as the primary or secondary insurance. In other states or under certain plans, the renter’s personal insurance pays first, and Turo’s liability coverage may act as backup.

Third-Party Liability

If a crash involves another driver or an injured third party (e.g., another motorist, pedestrian), liability claims can be filed against:

• The Turo renter (driver) if negligence caused the crash.
• The vehicle owner (host), if negligence in maintenance contributed to the accident.
• Turo’s insurance policy after the renter’s and host’s coverage options are exhausted.
• A third-party at-fault driver unrelated to the Turo arrangement.

These multiple layers can make the claims process more challenging than in typical rental or private vehicle accidents.

Financial Impact of Turo Vehicle Accidents

The financial consequences of crashes involving Turo vehicles can be significant for injured victims:

Medical Expenses

• Emergency medical care, hospitalization, and follow-up treatment.
• Rehabilitation, physical therapy, and long-term medical care.
• Prescription medications and assistive devices.

Property Damage

• Repair or replacement costs for the vehicles involved.
• Diminished value of vehicles, particularly if a Turo vehicle is severely damaged.
• Costs associated with rental cars or alternative transportation.

Lost Income and Increased Costs

• Lost wages due to time off work during recovery.
• Long-term reduction in earning capacity, if injuries are permanent.
• Out-of-pocket expenses for deductibles and coverage gaps.

Insurance Premium Increases

Accident claims can lead to increased insurance premiums for Turo renters or vehicle owners, especially if their personal policy is implicated. Some Turo protection plans offer higher liability limits, but the presence of multiple insurers can prolong the resolution and increase overall costs.

Given these financial implications, obtaining sufficient coverage and working with knowledgeable legal counsel is vital to ensure that injured victims receive fair compensation.

Legal Challenges in Turo Accident Cases

Car accidents involving Turo vehicles present unique legal challenges. Unlike traditional rentals, peer-to-peer cars are owned by private individuals, subject to varying maintenance histories and insurance coverage decisions. Determining liability often requires careful analysis of:

• Whether the renter complied with Turo’s terms, such as obtaining necessary insurance.
• Whether the host properly maintained the vehicle and disclosed any defects.
• Which insurance policy applies first: the renter’s, the host’s, or Turo’s.
• Whether a third party was responsible for the crash.

These complexities mean that injured victims often encounter disputes between multiple insurance carriers, each trying to minimize payouts. Experienced legal counsel is essential to navigate these disputes and ensure that liability is properly established and coverage is fully leveraged.

Case Example: The Importance of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

At John J. Malm & Associates, we handled a case involving a Turo vehicle in a high-speed police pursuit. The at-fault driver had no valid insurance, leaving our client without an immediate source for compensation. Through skillful negotiation, we secured a $100,000 settlement under the client’s uninsured motorist coverage, underscoring the necessity of strong personal coverage in Turo accident cases.

As John J. Malm has observed:

“Accidents involving peer-to-peer car rentals like Turo present multifaceted legal and insurance challenges, but the core issue remains the same: injured people deserve full and fair compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.”

Steps to Take After a Turo Car Accident

If you are involved in a crash with a Turo vehicle, take these steps:

1. Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries appear minor.
2. Call the police and obtain a report of the accident.
3. Document the scene with photos and witness information.
4. Notify Turo and all involved insurance carriers promptly.
5. Preserve all medical expenses and wage loss records.
6. Consult an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney to explore all compensation avenues.

Frequently Asked Questions about Accidents with Turo Vehicles

Q: If I’m hit by a Turo vehicle, whom do I sue?
A: You may file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance first. If the driver’s insurance denies coverage or is insufficient, you can pursue the Turo protection plan or the vehicle owner’s insurance. An experienced attorney can help identify all available sources of compensation.

Q: Does Turo’s insurance cover injuries?
A: Turo provides liability coverage that can extend to bodily injury, but the coverage level and applicability depend on the protection plan selected by the renter or host. Some plans may not include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, requiring victims to rely on their own policies.

Q: What if the Turo driver declined extra coverage?
A: If the renter declined supplemental Turo coverage and has no personal insurance, you may need to pursue multiple avenues, including suing the driver personally and claiming under Turo’s minimum liability policy. This can complicate recovery and make legal guidance essential.

Q: Can a host be liable for an accident?
A: Yes. If the host failed to maintain the vehicle properly or knowingly rented a defective car, they could be liable in negligence, in addition to any insurance claims.

Contact the Top-Rated Illinois Turo Car Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Car accidents involving Turo vehicles present distinctive legal and financial challenges. With multiple potential sources of insurance, varying coverage levels, and complex liability questions, these cases require careful navigation to secure fair compensation. Motor vehicle crashes continue to injure thousands of Americans each year, and shared-vehicle accidents are an important part of that landscape.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a Turo vehicle, do not leave your recovery to chance. Contact John J. Malm & Associates today for a comprehensive review of your case, personalized legal guidance, and advocacy to maximize your recovery. Our Illinois Turo accident attorneys are committed to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering you incur after a crash with a peer-to-peer rental vehicle, like Turo.