Can I Sue Someone Who Took My Car Without My Permission And Drove It Into A Body Of Water?

Location: Florida Vehicle: 2015 Toyota Corolla Estimated Value of Loss: $15,000 Date of Loss: August 2024

My fiancée allowed someone to drive my vehicle without my permission. The vehicle was driven off the highway into a body of water. When Law Enforcement saw 3 people walking down the highway, they tracked them back to the car, partially submerged in the body of water.

The Driver, not having a valid driver's license, and my fiancée, also without a valid license, told Law Enforcement the third individual (who had a valid driver's license, but was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash) was the driver.

Deputies responded to my residence to inform me of the crash and gave me the POC for the Deputies at the scene. I called the On Scene Deputy and was informed my vehicle was a "Total Loss" due to only the roof of the vehicle being visible out of the water. Thank GOD nobody was injured.

The vehicle was towed to a local yard and the Deputies gave the 3 individuals a ride to the closest gas station off the highway. From there, one individual, (the actual driver) went to his relatives home and stole their truck.

The next day, he led police on a chase throughout the city and both he and the person identified as the driver in the crash report for my vehicle were arrested, while my fiancée was released.

Later that month I was given a >$600 bill from the tow yard for the vehicle. I didn't have the money to pay and it was effectively a salvage vehicle due to the water damage.

A few months later I was given a notice from the tow yard my vehicle was being auctioned by the tow yard and the proceeds would go to payment for the cost of the tow and storage.

The RUB: When I found out my vehicle was no longer where I left it, due to a Deputy infoming me the driver was found passed out at the wheel and was being taken to the hospital, I told the Deputy to secure the keys with the hospital and I would pick up the vehicle after I got off work. The driver went AMA from the hospital immediately and was given the keys by hospital staff.

When I learned of this, I contacted the Sheriff's Office to report the vehicle stolen. They refused to investigate due to my fiancée giving the individual concent to drive the vehicle. I told the Sheriff's Office I was the sole owner of the vehicle, did not give concent for the vehicle to be driven, was revoking any perceived concent, and wanted to press charges for the theft of my vehicle. The Sheriff's Office refused to acknowledge my complaint. The next day, my vehicle was in the water.

I didn't have insurance on my vehicle, as at the time, I didn't have a valid license and was not driving it. The person identified as the driver in the crash report was not the actual driver. Both the real driver and the reported driver were arrested and it's unknown if they're in prison.

What are my options, if any, to recover my financial loss.