Rental Car Arrest Attorneys
Florida Rental Car and Rental Truck Wrongful Arrest Attorneys
Florida has one of the largest rental car and rental truck markets in the United States. With millions of visitors moving through Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and South Florida each year, rental vehicles are everywhere on Florida roads. What most renters do not realize is that a simple database error, reporting failure, or stolen license plate can turn an ordinary traffic stop into a felony arrest within minutes.
Across Florida, lawful renters are being stopped, detained, and arrested for allegedly driving stolen rental cars when they did nothing wrong. These rental car arrests often escalate within seconds into felony traffic stops, handcuffs, and jail bookings, even when the renter has a valid rental agreement and proof of payment. In many cases, the arrest occurs before the mistake is ever investigated.
Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. is based in Orlando, the hub of Florida tourism and rental vehicle traffic, and represents clients statewide who were wrongfully arrested while lawfully driving rental cars or rental trucks anywhere in Florida.
Types of Rental Vehicle Wrongful Arrest Cases
Our firm represents clients throughout Florida who were wrongfully detained or arrested while lawfully driving rental cars or rental trucks. These cases arise when rental vehicles are incorrectly linked to criminal activity, often due to reporting failures or third-party errors beyond the renter’s control. We routinely handle cases involving:
• Arrests for allegedly driving a stolen rental car
• Arrests involving rental trucks, including moving trucks and pickup trucks
• Traffic stops triggered by incorrect stolen vehicle database entries
• License plate swaps affecting rental vehicles
• Detention or arrest caused by rental company or vendor reporting errors
• Physical injuries or emotional distress resulting from the arrest
These matters are civil claims focused on accountability and financial recovery, not criminal defense representation.
Florida Law Explained
Florida law enforcement agencies rely heavily on statewide and national stolen vehicle databases when conducting traffic stops. When a rental company or its reporting vendor incorrectly flags a rental vehicle as stolen, officers may initiate a felony-level stop even when the renter is completely innocent.
Florida law allows individuals to pursue civil claims for false arrest and false imprisonment when an arrest occurs without proper legal justification and is caused by negligent or reckless reporting. Liability often turns on whether the rental company failed to update records, verify license plates, or correct known errors after notice.
Critical evidence often comes from after-the-fact investigation. In many cases, body camera footage becomes central to proving what officers were told and how the arrest unfolded. We explain the importance of this evidence in our detailed discussion of body cam footage in rental car wrongful arrest cases.
Common Mistakes People Make After a Rental Car Arrest
After a wrongful arrest, renters across Florida often make mistakes that weaken otherwise strong claims, including
• Assuming the arrest was unavoidable and not legally actionable
• Giving recorded statements to rental companies or insurers
• Signing paperwork without legal review
• Posting about the incident on social media
• Failing to preserve rental agreements and receipts
Rental companies and insurers rely on these missteps to limit liability. Understanding your rights early is essential, especially in a state with such heavy rental vehicle use. We outline these risks in greater detail in our Florida rental vehicle arrest guide.
How Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. Helps
Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. represents clients statewide in rental vehicle wrongful arrest cases, with our office located in Orlando, one of the busiest rental car markets in the country. This position gives us unique insight into how rental companies operate, report vehicles, and handle internal errors. We take an early intervention approach by
• Securing rental agreements, extensions, and payment records
• Requesting police reports and dispatch logs
• Preserving body camera and dash camera footage
• Investigating license plate swaps and reporting failures
• Identifying responsible rental companies and third-party vendors
• Documenting physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses
When arrests escalate into litigation, we pursue rental car false arrest lawsuits. We also handle cases involving peer-to-peer rentals, which present additional risks explained in our guide on hidden legal dangers of P2P car rentals in Florida.
Why Choose Florida Civil Counsel, P.A.
Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. is based in Orlando, the center of Florida tourism and rental vehicle traffic, but we represent clients throughout the entire state of Florida. Our statewide reach allows us to handle cases arising from arrests in any county, whether the rental originated in Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, or elsewhere.
Our firm handles both plaintiff and defense side civil litigation, giving us insight into how rental companies and insurers evaluate exposure and settlement risk. Clients work directly with an attorney, and every case is approached with a practical, cost-conscious, and outcome-focused strategy.
Speak With a Florida Rental Car Wrongful Arrest Attorney
If you were arrested, detained, or falsely accused while lawfully driving a rental car or rental truck anywhere in Florida, you should not assume nothing can be done. These cases are legally actionable and often resolved through civil claims against responsible parties. The rental vehicle wrongful arrest attorneys at Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. represent clients statewide from our Orlando office. Call 407-426-4444 or submit a consultation request through our website to discuss your situation and your options.